Cerebromicrovascular mechanisms contributing to long COVID: implications for neurocognitive health.

Long COVID (also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection [PASC] or post-COVID syndrome) is characterized by persistent symptoms that extend beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, affecting approximately 10% to over 30% of those infected. It presents a significant clinical challenge, notably due to pronounced neurocognitive symptoms such as brain fog. The mechanisms underlying these effects are multifactorial, with mounting evidence pointing to a central role of cerebromicrovascular dysfunction.

Does age matter? Impact of age on testicular function and pregnancy outcomes following microsurgical varicocelectomy in patients with grade 3 varicocele.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of age on semen and hormonal parameters following microsurgical varicocelectomy among patients with grade 3 varicocele, and to compare fertility outcomes between younger (<40 years) and older (≥40 years) men.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of infertile patients with clinical left grade 3 varicocele who underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MV). Patients meeting the inclusion criteria ( = 550) were divided into two groups based on their age at the time of MV: <40 ( = 441) and ≥40 years ( = 109).

LncRNA CRNDE and HOTAIR: Molecules behind the scenes in the progression of gastrointestinal cancers through regulating microRNAs.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, such as gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer, pose a significant medical and economic burden globally, accounting for the majority of new cancer cases and deaths each year. A lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of GI cancers is reflected in the low efficacy of treatment for individuals with late stage and recurring illness. Understanding the molecular pathways that promote the growth of GI cancers may open doors for their therapy.

Targeting breast tumor extracellular matrix and stroma utilizing nanoparticles.

Breast cancer is a complicated malignancy and is known as the most common cancer in women. Considerable experiments have been devoted to explore the basic impacts of the tumor stroma, particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM) and stromal components, on tumor growth and resistance to treatment. ECM is made up of an intricate system of proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans, and maintains structural support and controls key signaling pathways involved in breast tumors.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrates Based on Photonic Crystal Embedded Bi-Metallic Nanoparticles for Leptospiral DNA Detection.

Leptospirosis is an acute bacterial febrile disease affecting humans and animals in many tropical and subtropical countries. This work presents an optimization of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates to probe vibrational spectroscopic detail from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The pathogenic gene of LipL32 was used as a biomarker.