Destructive and Protective Effects and Therapeutic Targets of IL-36 Family Cytokines in Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: To explore the destructive and protective effects and therapeutic targets of IL-36 cytokines in dry eye disease using a murine dry eye model.

Methods: A dry eye model was established in C57BL/6 mice exposed to desiccating stress (DS) with untreated mice as controls. A topical challenge model was performed in normal mice with exogenous rmIL-36α, rhIL-38 and 2% ectoine, or PBS vehicle.

Prognostic value of GLIM criteria including systemic inflammation in patients with advanced cancer.

An assessment of systemic inflammation and nutritional status may form the basis of a framework to examine the prognostic value of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer. The objective of the study was to examine the prognostic value of GLIM criteria, including body mass index (BMI), weight loss (WL) and systemic inflammation (mGPS), in advanced cancer patients. Three criteria were examined in a combined cohort of patients with advanced cancer and their relationship with survival was examined using Cox regression methods.

Potential of Brewer's Spent Grain as a Nutritional Ingredient in Bakery Products.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is widely used in the production of beer and distilled beverages, generating a nutrient-rich by-product known as brewer's spent grain (BSG). This study investigates the potential of brewer's spent grain flour (BSGF) as a functional ingredient to enhance the nutritional profile of bakery products, specifically chocolate cakes, while contributing to waste reduction in the food industry. The effects of partially substituting wheat flour with BSGF at 40% and 60% levels were assessed.

Accessory Extraocular Muscle: A Rare Cause of Strabismus.

Accessory extraocular muscles are rare intraorbital congenital structures that can cause diplopia and restrictive strabismus.

CD4 T cells drive corneal nerve damage but not epitheliopathy in an acute aqueous-deficient dry eye model.

Dry eye disease (DED) is characterized by a dysfunctional tear film in which the corneal epithelium and its abundant nerves are affected by ocular desiccation and inflammation. Although adaptive immunity and specifically CD4 T cells play a role in DED pathogenesis, the exact contribution of these cells to corneal epithelial and neural damage remains undetermined. To address this, we explored the progression of a surgical DED model in wild-type (WT) and T cell-deficient mice.

Heart function enhancement by an Nrf2-activating antioxidant in acute Y-strain Chagas disease, but not in chronic Colombian or Y-strain.

Oxidative stress promotes T. cruzi growth and development of chronic Chagas heart dysfunction. However, the literature contains gaps that must be fulfilled, largely due to variations in parasite DTU sources, cell types, mouse strains, and tools to manipulate redox status.

Exploring patient awareness of palliative care - optimal timing and preferred approaches.

Objectives: To explore patients' awareness levels of palliative care (PC) and how this awareness shapes their preferences regarding the timing and approach for discussing it.

Methods: The study, conducted at a prominent institution specializing in oncology care, enrolled women aged 18-75 years who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Patients completed guiding questions: Do you know what PC is?, When is the most appropriate time and the most appropriate way to discuss PC?.

Knowledge, opinions and experiences of nurses and nursing students in Portugal regarding the use of medical Cannabis.

Background: The opening up of the laws to medicinal cannabis in recent years is a key factor in the growth of this therapy, but there is little information about what nurses know and think about it. The present paper seeks to analyze the knowledge, opinions, and experiences of nurses and nursing students in Portugal regarding the use of cannabis and to understand gender differences.

Methods: A self-completion questionnaire was drawn up and published online.

Mouse Corneal Immune Cell Heterogeneity Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing.

Purpose: This study aimed to define the heterogeneity, spatial localization, and functional roles of immune cells in the mouse cornea using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and immunofluorescent staining.

Methods: Enriched mouse corneal immune cells (C57BL/6 strain, age 16-20 weeks) underwent single-cell RNA sequencing library preparation, sequencing, and analysis with Seurat, Monocle 3, and CellChat packages in R. Pathway analysis used Qiagen Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software.

Impact of Preoperative Counseling and Education on Decreasing Anxiety in Patients With Gynecologic Tumors: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of counseling and preoperative education on reducing anxiety in patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic cancer.

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, patients with gynecological tumors undergoing surgical treatment between 15 and 60 days preoperatively, were included. The group was randomized to receive preoperative routine orientation plus preoperative counseling and education by nursing (experimental group [EG]) or receive preoperative routine orientation only (control group [CG]).

Changes in conjunctival mononuclear phagocytes and suppressive activity of regulatory macrophages in desiccation induced dry eye.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of dry eye on conjunctival immune cell number and transcriptional profiles with attention to mononuclear phagocytes.

Methods: Expression profiling was performed by single-cell RNA sequencing on sorted conjunctival immune cells from non-stressed and C57BL/6 mice subjected to desiccating stress (DS). Monocle 3 modeled cell trajectory, scATAC-seq assessed chromatin accessibility and IPA identified canonical pathways.

A Research Protocol for a Phase II Single-Arm Clinical Trial Assessing the Feasibility and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Anastrozole in Patients With Luminal Breast Cancer and Low Proliferative Index: The ANNE Trial.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) is recommended for the treatment of invasive breast cancer (BC), particularly luminal subtypes, in locally advanced stages. Previous randomized studies have demonstrated the benefits of aromatase inhibitors in this context. However, NET is typically reserved for elderly or frail patients who may not tolerate neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Inhibition of Cathepsin S in Autoimmune CD25KO Mouse Improves Sjögren Disease-Like Lacrimal Gland Pathology.

Purpose: CD25KO mice are a model of Sjögren disease (SjD) driven by autoreactive T cells. Cathepsin S (CTSS) is a protease crucial for major histocompatibility complex class II presentation that primes T cells. We investigated if a diet containing CTSS inhibitor would improve autoimmune signs in CD25KO mice.

Perforated duodenal ulcer after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: an unusual complication.

Summary: Bariatric surgery is increasingly being accepted as a viable treatment for managing the growing obesity epidemic. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most commonly performed procedures. Perforated duodenal ulcer following RYGB is a rare condition with a low incidence.

Pharmacologic Management of End-of-Life Delirium: Translating Evidence into Practice.

End-of-life delirium affects a vast majority of patients before death. It is highly distressing and often associated with restlessness or agitation. Unlike delirium in other settings, it is considered irreversible, and non-pharmacologic measures may be less feasible.

The Aging Lacrimal Gland of Female C57BL/6J Mice Exhibits Multinucleate Macrophage Infiltration Associated With Lipid Dysregulation.

Purpose: Loss of function of the lacrimal gland (LG), which produces the aqueous tear film, is implicated in age-related dry eye. To better understand this deterioration, we evaluated changes in lipid metabolism and inflammation in LGs from an aging model.

Methods: LG sections from female C57BL/6J mice of different ages (young, 2-3 months; intermediate, 10-14 months; old,  ≥24 months) were stained with Oil Red-O or Toluidine blue to detect lipids.

The Clinical and Economic Impact of Delayed Reperfusion Therapy: Real-World Evidence.

Background: Early reperfusion therapy is acknowledged as the most effective approach for reducing case fatality rates in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Objective: Estimate the clinical and economic consequences of delaying reperfusion in patients with STEMI.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated mortality rates and the total expenses incurred by delaying reperfusion therapy among 2622 individuals with STEMI.

Age-Related Differences in the Mouse Corneal Epithelial Transcriptome and Their Impact on Corneal Wound Healing.

Purpose: Aging is a risk factor for dry eye. We sought to identify changes in the aged mouse corneal epithelial transcriptome and determine how age affects corneal sensitivity, re-epithelialization, and barrier reformation after corneal debridement.

Methods: Corneal epithelium of female C57BL/6J (B6) mice of different ages (2, 12, 18, and 24 months) was collected, RNA extracted, and bulk RNA sequencing performed.

Effects of age on lacrimal gland bioactive lipids.

Purpose: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are a source of bioactive lipids regulating inflammation and its resolution.

Methods: Changes in PUFA metabolism were compared between lacrimal glands (LGs) from young and aged C57BL/6 J mice using a targeted lipidomics assay, as was the gene expression of enzymes involved in the metabolism of these lipids.

Results: Global reduction in PUFAs and their metabolites was observed in aged LGs compared to young controls, averaging between 25 and 66 % across all analytes.

Comparative skull osteology of Amphisbaena arda and Amphisbaena vermicularis (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae).

The skull anatomy of amphisbaenians directly influences their capacity to burrow and is crucial for the study of their systematics, which ultimately contributes to our comprehension of their evolution and ecology. In this study, we employed three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography to provide a detailed description and comprehensive comparison of the skull anatomy of two amphisbaenian species with similar external morphology, Amphisbaena arda and Amphisbaena vermicularis. Our findings revealed some differences between the species, especially in the sagittal crest of the parietal bone, the ascendant process, and the transverse occipital crest of the occipital complex.

Single cell analysis of short-term dry eye induced changes in cornea immune cell populations.

Background: Dry eye causes corneal inflammation, epitheliopathy and sensorineural changes. This study evaluates the hypothesis that dry eye alters the percentages and transcriptional profiles of immune cell populations in the cornea.

Methods: Desiccating stress (DS) induced dry eye was created by pharmacologic suppression of tear secretion and exposure to drafty low humidity environment.

Health Management of an HIV Testing and Counseling Center: Nursing Contributions.

Objectives: to analyze the role of nursing in the establishment of an HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling Center in a Brazilian municipality.

Methods: a historical study utilizing primary sources, including documents and oral accounts, involving a total of ten participants. The study encompasses the years 1997 and 1998.

Ectoine, from a Natural Bacteria Protectant to a New Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

Ectoine, a novel natural osmoprotectant, protects bacteria living in extreme environments. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of ectoine for dry eye disease. An experimental dry eye model was created in C57BL/6 mice exposed to desiccating stress (DS) with untreated mice as controls (UT).