Salivary Flow Rate in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome: Correlations with Salivary Gland Ultrasound Findings and Biomarkers of Disease Activity.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a slowly progressive, chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition characterized by the affliction of the exocrine glands, with issues that derive from it markedly decreasing the quality of life of these patients. Salivary gland involvement can be identified through imaging methods. Among them, salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in pSS.

In Silico Design of Novel RGS2-G Interaction Inhibitors with Anticancer Activity.

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) are a family of approximately 30 proteins that bind to and deactivate the alpha subunits of G-proteins (G) by accelerating their GTP hydrolysis rates, which terminates G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Thus, RGS proteins are essential in regulating GPCR signaling, and most members are implicated as critical nodes in human diseases such as hypertension, depression, and others. Regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2), a member of the R4 family of RGS proteins, is overexpressed in many solid breast cancers, and its levels in prostate cancer significantly correlate with the metastatic stage and poor prognosis.

Blood Flow Restriction Training in the Young Athlete.

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is increasing in popularity in the rehabilitation setting due to its believed impact on mitigating muscle atrophy, maintaining muscle mass and improving muscle function after musculoskeletal injury. This intervention has shown to be an effective option for addressing muscle strength and atrophy during earlier phases of rehabilitation when higher loads are not tolerated after injury. Although this intervention appears to be a safe and effective approach in sports medicine environments, there is limited information on the young athlete population.

Clinical and functional studies of MTOR variants in Smith-Kingsmore syndrome reveal deficits of circadian rhythm and sleep-wake behavior.

Heterozygous de novo or inherited gain-of-function mutations in the MTOR gene cause Smith-Kingsmore syndrome (SKS). SKS is a rare autosomal dominant condition, and individuals with SKS display macrocephaly/megalencephaly, developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures. A few dozen individuals are reported in the literature.

Complex Karyotype Detection in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Comparison of Parallel Cytogenetic Cultures Using TPA and IL2+DSP30 from a Single Center.

Current CLL guidelines recommend a two parallel cultures assessment using TPA and IL2+DSP30 mitogens for complex karyotype (CK) detection. Studies comparing both mitogens for CK identification in the same cohort are lacking. We analyzed the global performance, CK detection, and concordance in the complexity assessment of two cytogenetic cultures from 255 CLL patients.

Malignant Ileocolocolic Intussusception in a 19-Year-Old Male.

Adult intussusception is an infrequent occurrence typically resulting from an identifiable lead point of a benign or malignant etiology. Here, we present a case of a 19-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain, intractable nausea, and fluctuations between bloody diarrhea and constipation. These symptoms had begun two months prior and had increased in severity, resulting in significant appetite changes.

Evaluation of the Aquatic Toxicity of Several Triazole Fungicides.

Fungicides play an important role in crop protection, but they have also been shown to adversely affect non-target organisms, including those living in the aquatic environment. The aim of the present study is to combine experimental and computational approaches to evaluate the effects of flutriafol, metconazole, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, tetraconazole and triticonazole on aquatic model organisms and to obtain information on the effects of these fungicides on , a freshwater plant, at the molecular level. The EC (the half-maximum effective concentration) values for the growth inhibition of in the presence of the investigated fungicides show that metconazole (EC = 0.

Structure Revision of a Widespread Marine Sulfonolipid Class Based on Isolation and Total Synthesis.

The cosmopolitan marine Roseobacter clade is of global biogeochemical importance. Members of this clade produce sulfur-containing amino lipids (SALs) involved in biofilm formation and marine surface colonization processes. Despite their physiological relevance and abundance, SALs have only been explored through genomic mining approaches and lipidomic studies based on mass spectrometry, which left the relative and absolute structures of SALs unresolved, hindering progress in biochemical and functional investigations.

Pulmonary Involvement in Sjögren's Syndrome: Correlations with Biomarkers of Activity and High-Resolution Computer Tomography Findings.

(1) Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) represents a systemic autoimmune disease whose pathophysiology has yet to be elucidated, though it is known that the inflammatory process encountered in SS is of a systemic nature, with cytokines representing the main mediators for tissue damage. (2) Aim of the study: The aim of the present study is to further the understanding of the link between interleukin serum levels, cytokine serum levels, HRCT findings and the Warrick score (as tools for the evaluation of pulmonary involvement) in patients with pSS. (3) Methods: The present study is a retrospective, observational one aimed at ascertaining the link between SS activity and its clinical implications, as well as how interleukin and TNF-α levels correlate with systemic changes.

The Role of Three-Dimensional Modeling to Improve Comprehension of Liver Anatomy and Tumor Characteristics for Medical Students and Surgical Residents.

Objective: Studying liver anatomy can be challenging for medical students and surgical residents due to its complexity. Three-dimensional visualization technology (3DVT) allows for a clearer and more precise view of liver anatomy. We sought to assess how 3DVT can assist students and surgical residents comprehend liver anatomy.

High-Throughput GPCRome Screen of Pollutants Reveals the Activity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls at Melatonin and Sphingosine-1-phosphate Receptors.

Exposure to environmental pollutants is linked to numerous toxic outcomes, warranting concern about the effect of pollutants on human health. To assess the threat of pollutant exposure, it is essential to understand their biological activity. Unfortunately, gaps remain for many pollutants' specific biological activity and molecular targets.

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2023/24: Introduction and Other Protein Targets.

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2023/24 is the sixth in this series of biennial publications. The Concise Guide provides concise overviews, mostly in tabular format, of the key properties of approximately 1800 drug targets, and about 6000 interactions with about 3900 ligands. There is an emphasis on selective pharmacology (where available), plus links to the open access knowledgebase source of drug targets and their ligands (www.

Awakening adult neural stem cells: NOX signalling as a positive regulator of the quiescence-to-proliferation transition in the Xenopus retina.

A growing wealth of data suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling might be crucial in conferring embryonic or adult stem cells their specific properties. However, how stem cells control ROS production and scavenging, and how ROS in turn contribute to stemness, remain poorly understood. Using the Xenopus retina as a model system, we first investigated the redox status of retinal stem cells (RSCs).

Which Tests Predict 6-Month Isokinetic Quadriceps Strength After ACL Reconstruction? An Examination of Isometric Quadriceps Strength and Functional Tests at 3 Months.

Background: Restoration of quadriceps strength after anterior ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a persistent challenge for patients and clinicians. Inadequate recovery of quadriceps strength has been linked to increase risk of re-injury. Developing methods of early identification of strength deficits is essential to allow clinicians to provide more individualized interventions early in the rehabilitation process.

Early- and Late-Stage Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Knee Strength in Adolescents After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is rising in popularity because of its benefits in reducing muscle atrophy and mitigating knee strength deficits.

Purpose: To investigate the impact BFRT has on adolescent knee strength after ACLR at 2 postoperative time points: at 3 months and the time of return to sport (RTS).

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Machine learning based assessment of preclinical health questionnaires.

Background: Within modern health systems, the possibility of accessing a large amount and a variety of data related to patients' health has increased significantly over the years. The source of this data could be mobile and wearable electronic systems used in everyday life, and specialized medical devices. In this study we aim to investigate the use of modern Machine Learning (ML) techniques for preclinical health assessment based on data collected from questionnaires filled out by patients.

Fulfillment and Validity of the Kidney Health Evaluation Measure for People with Diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate the fulfillment and validity of the kidney health evaluation for people with diabetes (KED) Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set (HEDIS) measure.

Patients And Methods: Optum Labs Data Warehouse (OLDW) was used to identify the nationally distributed US population aged 18 years and older, with diabetes, between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. The OLDW includes deidentified medical, pharmacy, laboratory, and electronic health record (EHR) data.

Leukemic Involvement Is a Common Feature in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia at Diagnosis.

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with bone marrow (BM) involvement and IgM monoclonal gammopathy. To date, no studies have focused specifically on peripheral blood (PB) involvement. In this study, 100 patients diagnosed with WM according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were included based on the demonstration of mut in BM and the availability of PB multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) analysis.

Relationship between corneal tissue and shape in short-term soft contact lens wear.

Purpose: To investigate which morphometric and ocular surface tissue parameters are affected by short-term soft contact lens (CL) wear and to assess whether they carry related or independent information.

Methods: Twenty-two healthy participants wore silicone hydrogel (SiHy; MyDay, CooperVision) soft CLs for 8 h in their left eye. Corneal tomography and corneoscleral topography were captured before and immediately after CL wear.

The influence of soft contact lens material on the corneoscleral profile.

Purpose: To objectively quantify changes in corneoscleral profile, as evaluated by the limbus position and corneoscleral junction (CSJ) angle, as a consequence of wearing different soft contact lens (CL) materials.

Methods: Twenty-two healthy participants wore silicone hydrogel (SiHy, MyDay, CooperVision) and hydrogel (Hy, Biomedics 1 day extra, CooperVision) soft CLs for 8 h per lens in their left eye. In each session, corneoscleral topography was captured before and immediately after CL removal with an Eye Surface Profiler.

Current Role and Future Perspectives of Immunotherapy and Circulating Factors in Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancers.

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a heterogenous group of malignancies arising from the epithelial cells of the biliary tree and the gallbladder. They are often locally advanced or already metastatic at the time of the diagnosis and therefore prognosis remains dismal. Unfortunately, the management of BTCs has been limited by resistance and consequent low response rate to cytotoxic systemic therapy.

The Impact of Meniscal Tear Type and Surgical Treatment on Quadriceps Strength: A Study of Adolescent Patients Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Treatment of meniscal injuries at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can result in restrictions on weightbearing and range of motion in the early rehabilitative phases. What is unknown is the effect of (1) meniscal tear type and location at the time of anterior cruciate ligament injury and (2) meniscal treatment at the time of ACLR on quadriceps strength in adolescents during the late rehabilitative phase.

Hypothesis: Meniscal tears involving the root and requiring repair would adversely affect quadriceps strength at 6 to 9 months postoperatively.

Same Gene, Different Story (a Case Report of Congenital Long QT Syndrome Subtype 8 With a Novel Mutation).

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) 8 is a rare inherited channelopathy caused by CACNA1C gene mutations that affects calcium channels, and when combined with congenital heart defects, musculoskeletal defects, and neurodevelopmental defects, it is referred to as Timothy syndrome. A female patient, aged 17 years, presented with a witnessed episode of syncope secondary to ventricular fibrillation that was successfully cardioverted. Electrocardiogram showed sinus bradycardia 52/min, normal axis, and a QTc of 626 ms.

The Effect of the Organizational Climate on the Integrative-Qualitative Intentional Behavior in Romanian Preschool Education-A Top-Down Perspective.

The concept of educational organizational climate relates to the relational, social, psychological, affective, intellectual, cultural and moral environment that characterizes educational/teaching and managerial activity at the level of a school organization. This study is based on the theory of planned behavior framework in measuring preschool teachers' intentional integrative-qualitative behaviors and Marzano's Model of Teaching Effectiveness. The Marzano Model outlines educational strategies and gives teachers and administrators tools to help teachers become more effective.