Self-gripping mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: A comparative study about surgical time, post-operative pain and recurrence.

Introduction: In laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR), fixation means for meshes (FMMs) are commonly used to reduce hernia recurrence risk. Their use may result in post-operative pain (PP) and may even increase surgical time (ST). Recently, self-gripping meshes (SGMs) have been developed, which leave aside fixation devices; they could potentially reduce PP and even decrease ST.

Repeated toluene inhalation in male and female adolescent rats induces persistent drug preference and impairs cognitive and social behavior.

Rationale: Adolescent inhalant use is an understudied and undertreated disorder, particularly in females. Chronic exposure to inhalants, like toluene, can have long-lasting effects on behavior. However, most animal studies lack the incorporation of both sexes and do not focus on the abstinence period.

Preliminary reference values for Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers in Congolese individuals with and without dementia.

Background: Western countries have provided reference values (RV) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) plasma biomarkers, but there are not available in Sub-Saharan African populations.

Objective: We provide preliminary RV for AD and other plasma biomarkers including amyloid- (Aβ42/40), phosphorylated tau-181 and 217 (p-tau181, p-tau217), neurofilament light (Nfl), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), interleukin 1b and 10 (IL-1b and IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) in Congolese adults with and without dementia.

Methods: 85 adults (40 healthy and 45 dementia) over 50 years old were included.

A rare HSC-derived megakaryocyte progenitor accumulates via enhanced survival and contributes to exacerbated thrombopoiesis upon aging.

Distinct routes of cellular production from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have defined our current view of hematopoiesis. Recently, we challenged classical views of platelet generation, demonstrating that megakaryocyte progenitors (MkPs), and ultimately platelets, can be specified via an alternate and additive route of HSC-direct specification specifically during aging. This "shortcut" pathway generates hyperactive platelets likely to contribute to age-related platelet-mediated morbidities.

Validation of urine p-cresol glucuronide as renal cell carcinoma non-invasive biomarker.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) stands among the most lethal urological malignancies. Most RCCs are incidentally diagnosed as initial symptoms are unspecific. Novel, minimally-invasive diagnostic and prognostic methods for RCC are needed, ideally in urine.