Are pectoralis minor length and posterior shoulder tightness associated with patient-reported shoulder pain and disability?

Background: Pectoralis minor (PM) shortening and posterior shoulder tightness (PST) are considered potential soft tissue alterations associated with rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP). Yet, their precise contribution to pain and disability remains unclear.

Purpose: To explore the association between both PM length and PST and self-reported shoulder pain and disability in individuals with and without RCRSP.

Unveiling the potential of pullulan in enhancing ketoprofen release from PHBV filaments.

In this study, sustainable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and pullulan (PUL)/PHBV filaments were prepared with ketoprofen for scaffold preparation. The research aimed evaluate the influence of pullulan in the filament properties, such as thermal, morphological, and biological behavior. Hansen parameters demonstrated the difference in the miscibility of the polymers and drug in the blend.

Investigation of alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity of Artabotrys sumatranus leaf extract using metabolomics, machine learning and molecular docking analysis.

One way to treat diabetes mellitus type II is by using α-glucosidase inhibitor, that will slow down the postprandial glucose intake. Metabolomics analysis of Artabotrys sumatranus leaf extract was used in this research to predict the active compounds as α-glucosidase inhibitors from this extract. Both multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning approaches were used to improve the confidence of the predictions.

Do biopsychosocial factors predict the level of physical activity in individuals with persistent shoulder pain?

Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the physical activity level between individuals with and without rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP), and, in individuals with RCRSP, investigate whether biopsychosocial factors are associated with the physical activity level.

Methods: Seventy-four participants with and 84 participants without RCRSP wore a fitness tracking watch for seven consecutive days to assess physical activity (step count, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)-minutes). Additionally, participants with RCRSP completed questionnaires on their level of pain, disability, and physical activity (short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]), as well as on biopsychosocial factors, including resilience, stress, catastrophizing, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support.

Towards Ending AIDS: The Additional Role of HIV Self-Testing in Thailand.

Background: In 2022, 10% of an estimated 560,000 people living with HIV in Thailand were unaware of their HIV status. A well-established HIV program is a solid platform for integrating HIV self-testing (HST) as part of efforts to end AIDS. We analyzed how HST was integrated into the national HIV program and became a benefit package.

Stress survival and longevity of lacking NCS-1.

Although dysfunctional Ca signaling can trigger biochemical reactions that lead to cell death, the role of calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) in this process is still a topic of debate. Neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1) is a CBP that is highly conserved and has been shown to increase cell survival against various types of injuries. As such, we hypothesized that NCS-1 could also be a stress-responsive protein with potential effects on survival and longevity.

Building a Consortium to Address Graduate Nursing Student Academic Preparedness.

Background: The demand for nurses in advanced practice roles is expected to grow by 38% by 2032. The nationwide faculty shortage is also a concern, as it correlates to the nursing shortage. Successful retention strategies for graduate nursing students can strengthen the rising demand of specialized nursing roles.

Perceived Pain in People Living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-A Scoping Review.

(1) Background: Pain is a common symptom in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). There are no evidence-based pharmacological treatments for pain in ALS; recommendations are based on guidelines for chronic non-oncological pain and clinical experience. The aim is to map the literature on how people with ALS experience pain, and how this affects their daily activities and social relationships.

Phytotoxic Activity of Sesquiterpene Lactones-Enriched Fractions from L. Leaves on Pre-Emergent and Post-Emergent Weed Species and Putative Mode of Action.

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are compounds that are highly produced in leaves, known for their phytotoxic activity. This study aims to assess SL-enriched fractions' (cynaropicrin, aguerin B, and grosheimin) phytotoxic potentials and putative modes of action, compared to an initial extract, using two approaches: first, against a panel of nine weed species in pre-emergence, and then on L.'s post-emergency stage.

Factors Associated with Poor Sleep Quality in Postpartum Women: A Crossectional Study.

 This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with poor sleep quality in women in the postpartum period who were assisted in a municipality in central Brazil.  This is a cross-sectional study (  = 400) conducted virtually from 2020 to 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, self-perceived sleep, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were assessed.

Implementation of Spiritual Care in the Chronically Ill Population for Depression Reduction in the United States.

The purpose of this project was to implement intentional spiritual care in a community population with chronic illness in the United States to reduce risk of depression. A convenience sample (n = 10) of members of a congregation participated in scheduled spiritual care for 12 weeks. The PHQ-9 depression screening tool was given pre and postimplementation to evaluate efficacy of the spiritual care sessions on risk of depression.

Essential oils of Eugenia spp. (myrtaceae) show in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine mastitis.

Bovine mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary glands, is mainly caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. While antibiotics are the primary treatment for this disease, their effectiveness is often diminished due to resistant strains and biofilm formation, creating the need for safer and more efficient therapies. Plant-based oil therapies, particularly those derived from the genus Eugenia, are gaining popularity due to their pharmacological potential and historical use.

Benchmarking soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration provides more robust soil health assessment than the SOC/clay ratio at European scale.

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) confers benefits to soil health, biodiversity, underpins carbon sequestration and ameliorates land degradation. One recommendation is to increase SOC such that the SOC to clay ratio (SOC/clay) exceeds 1/13, yet normalising SOC levels based on clay alone gives misleading indications of soil structure and the potential to store additional carbon. Building on work by Poeplau & Don (2023) to benchmark observed against predicted SOC, we advance an alternative indicator: the ratio between observed and "typical" SOC (O/T SOC) for pan-European application.

Dose dense versus 3 weekly AC during neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.

Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy (P + CT) has emerged as a standard of care for stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the best anthracycline-cyclophosphamide (AC) schedule remains to be determined. While the KEYNOTE-522 regimen employs AC every 3 weeks (q3w AC), previous studies have shown overall survival benefits of dose-dense regimens for early-stage breast cancer.

Morphological analysis and lipid composition of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans salivary glands reinforce important features of feeding behaviour.

Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae), the stable fly, is a hematophagous insect of great veterinary importance, because it is a mechanical vector of diverse pathogens in livestock. The saliva of blood-feeding insects presents important pharmacologically active molecules that impair blood clotting, promote vasodilation and modulate the host immune system response, crucial processes for successful feeding.

Screening Cover Crops for Utilization in Irrigated Vineyards: A Greenhouse Study on Species' Nitrogen Uptake and Carbon Sequestration Potential.

This study examines the potential of 23 plant species, comprising 10 legumes, 9 grasses, and 4 forbs, as cover crops to enhance carbon (C) sequestration and soil nitrogen (N) in vineyards. After a 120-day evaluation period, cover crop biomass was incorporated into the soil, and grapevine seedlings were planted in its place. Among the established cover crops, the C input potential ranged from 0.

Follow up study of symptomatic human cystic echinococcosis treatment with albendazole and praziquantel, in Uruguay.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic disease considered a neglected one. Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Uruguay and the region. Surgery, using various technical approaches, has the potential to safely remove the cyst(s) and lead to a complete cure in a high number of patients with simple forms of CE.

Development and characterization of a multimeric recombinant protein using the spike protein receptor binding domain as an antigen to induce SARS-CoV-2 neutralization.

Background: SARS-CoV2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has four structural proteins and 16 nonstructural proteins. S-protein is one of the structural proteins exposed on the virus surface and is the main target for producing neutralizing antibodies and vaccines. The S-protein forms a trimer that can bind the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through its receptor binding domain (RBD) for cell entry.

Prospective monitoring of patients undergoing radiotherapy during COVID-19.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of consecutive patients undergoing radiotherapy during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic at a private hospital in Southern Brazil from September 2020 to September 2021.

Methods: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Board under project number 112 on April 17, 2020, and it was a prospective descriptive cohort study conducted in a Brazilian radiotherapy department from September 2020 to September 2021. It involved the weekly administration of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaires via telephone to consecutively assess patients with pathology-proven cancer diagnoses.

Small non-coding RNA transcriptomic profiling in adult and fetal human brain.

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) make up ~1% of the transcriptome; nevertheless, they play significant roles in regulating cellular processes. Given the complexity of the central nervous system, sncRNAs likely hold particular importance in the human brain. In this study, we provide sncRNA transcriptomic profiles in a range of adult and prenatal brain regions, with a focus on piRNAs, due to their underexplored expression in somatic cells and tissue-specific nature.

The impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on marital outcomes and factors associated with divorce and separation.

Objective: To analyze marital outcomes, divorce or separation, and its association with demographic, socioeconomic, and clinicopathological factors among breast cancer (BC) survivors after 2-years of diagnosis.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of marital status at baseline and at years 1 and 2 of follow-up of women aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with invasive BC participating in the AMAZONA III (GBECAM0115) study. The BC diagnosis occurred between January 2016 and March 2018 at 23 institutions in Brazil.

Germline rare variants in HER2-positive breast cancer predisposition: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Approximately 10% of breast cancer (BC) cases result from hereditary causes. Genetic testing has been widely implemented in BC care to determine hereditary cancer syndromes and personalized medicine. Thus, identification of individuals carrying germline pathogenic variants could be useful to provide appropriate prophylactic or screening measures for each BC subtype, however, there are few formal recommendations for genetic testing in this sense so far.

Exploring Hypertension Patient Engagement Using mHealth. A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Widespread use of smartphone applications has opened new perspectives for home Blood Pressure monitoring based on mobile health (mHealth) technologies. Patient engagement has been dubbed 'the silver bullet of the century'.

Aim: The aim was to identify the impact of engagement in patients with blood pressure using mHealth.