Effects of growth hormone replacement therapy in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) often lead to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children. Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) is essential for managing GHD but its impact on body mass index (BMI) and metabolic outcomes is controversial. Concerns exist that GHRT might contribute to tumor recurrence, with guidelines varying on when to start therapy post-surgery.

Effects of periodontal disease on the reproductive performance and offspring of Wistar rats.

Background: Periodontitis can induce systemic inflammation, and it may affect the testicles and male reproductive performance. This study investigated the effects of periodontitis on the testicles, reproductive performance, and offspring development in male rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were induced with periodontitis by ligating their first molars.

Effects of strength training with free weights and elastic resistance in older adults: A randomised clinical study.

Background: The aging process leads to negative changes in various bodily systems, including the neuromuscular system. Strength training, is considered the best strategy to counteract these neuromuscular changes, preventing sarcopenia and frailty in older adults.

Objective: To compare the effects of strength training with elastic resistance and free weights on the muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors and functional performance in the older adults.

Systemic acupuncture application does not change muscle performance parameters in women: A randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study.

Background/objective: Acupuncture is used for therapeutic purposes. The possible beneficial role of this therapy may be as an ergogenic resource for the performance of fitness variables in exercise and sports. To date, acupuncture has been associated with increases in muscle strength, aerobic power, and vertical jump performance, but the evidence is still inconclusive.

Acute effects of systemic acupuncture treatment on strength and power performance of male handball players - A double blinded randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the acute effects of a systemic acupuncture protocol on strength and power performance of male handball players.

Introduction: Regarding sports performance, different strategies have been used displaying different outcomes. In a more holistic approach, the use of manual therapies such as acupuncture has gained increased attention.

Determination of Antiepileptics in Biological Samples-A Review.

Epilepsy remains a disease that affects many people around the world. With the development of new drugs to treat this condition, the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring continues to rise and remains a challenge for the medical community. This review article explores recent advances in the detection of antiepileptic drugs across various sample types commonly used for drug monitoring, with a focus on their applications and impact.

The effects of the MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) genetic variant on susceptibility and disability worsening in multiple sclerosis patients are mediated by homocysteine.

Background: Interactions between genetic and environmental variables contribute to the autoimmune inflammatory process in multiple sclerosis (MS). Elevated homocysteine levels, and vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies are some of the environmental factors associated with the pathogenesis of MS. Considering that the relationship between MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) genetic variant, homocysteine, and folate in patients with MS remains unclear and that their role were not extensively explored in the clinical course of the disease, we investigated whether this variant and plasma homocysteine and folate levels are associated with MS susceptibility, disability, disability progression, and inflammatory biomarkers.

Determination of amphetamines in hair samples using microextraction by packed sorbent and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Several protocols for the analysis of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in hair have been developed over the years, with microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) being used for drugs like opiates, cocaine and ketamine. However, concerning ATS determination in hair samples, this approach has only been applied so far to amphetamine (AMP) and methamphetamine (MAMP). This study aimed at developing and validating a MEPS-based procedure for the determination in hair of not only AMP and MAMP but also of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-yl (ethyl)amine (MDE) and N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-aminobutane (MBDB) as well.

Can toothbrushing reduce the intraoral viral load of SARS-CoV-2? A pilot study with a dentifrice containing an antimicrobial phthalocyanine derivative.

The aim of this study was to assess whether toothbrushing with a dentifrice containing an antimicrobial phthalocyanine derivative (APD) can reduce the intraoral viral load of SARS-CoV-2. Twenty COVID-19-positive dentate patients aged ≥18 years were selected instructed to brush their teeth for 2 min with a dentifrice containing APD. Self-collected samples of unstimulated saliva were carried out three times: T0 (baseline), T5 (5 min after toothbrushing), and T30 (30 min after toothbrushing).

Ultrafast dynamics of fluorene initiated by highly intense laser fields.

We present an investigation of the ultrafast dynamics of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluorene initiated by an intense femtosecond near-infrared laser pulse (810 nm) and probed by a weak visible pulse (405 nm). Using a multichannel detection scheme (mass spectra, electron and ion velocity-map imaging), we provide a full disentanglement of the complex dynamics of the vibronically excited parent molecule, its excited ionic states, and fragments. We observed various channels resulting from the strong-field ionization regime.

IL18 rs360717 and rs187238 genetic variants are associated with migraine diagnosis.

Background: Migraine is a genetically determined disorder that predisposes to recurrent episodes of headache. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that seems to play a role in migraine pathophysiology, and its genetic variants could potentially impact susceptibility to migraine.

Objective: To investigate the association between IL18 rs360717 and rs187238 genetic variants with migraine diagnosis and its clinical characteristics.

Association between polymorphisms in , and genes and covid-19 severity in Southern Brazil.

Background: A distinct phenotype in Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) was observed in severe patients, consisting of a highly impaired interferon (IFN) type I response, an exacerbated inflammatory response.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in five genes related to the immune response, rs3775291 in ; rs2292151 in ; rs1758566 in ; rs1800629 in , and rs1800795 in with the severity of Covid-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, with non-severe and severe/critical patients diagnosed with Covid-19, by two public hospitals in Brazil.

A comparative analysis of adolescents' emotions and emotion regulation strategies when witnessing different cyberbullying scenarios.

The search for greater popularity and acceptance by peers increases the use of social networks that may cause cyberbullying. The high number of adolescents who observe this phenomenon may help reduce the negative impact on the victims. Emotion regulation is an important predictor of adolescents' psychological adjustment and social competence to adopt a prosocial behavior.

Human protein-protein interaction networks: A topological comparison review.

Protein-Protein Interaction Networks aim to model the interactome, providing a powerful tool for understanding the complex relationships governing cellular processes. These networks have numerous applications, including functional enrichment, discovering cancer driver genes, identifying drug targets, and more. Various databases make protein-protein networks available for many species, including .

Autoimmune Hepatitis on a Living Liver Donor: An Unexpected Long-Term Complication.

In Western countries, deceased donor liver transplantation remains the standard of care for patients with end-stage liver disease. Living donor liver transplantation is a viable and feasible strategy for patients with end-stage liver disease designed to mitigate the deceased organ shortage. Donor safety is the primary concern because liver donors, ideally, should not have any complication.

Vascular dysfunction programmed in male rats by topiramate during peripubertal period.

Aim: The present study evaluated whether topiramate (TPM) treatment during the peripubertal period affects vascular parameters of male rats and whether oxidative stress plays a role in these changes.

Main Methods: Rats were treated with TPM (41 mg/kg/day, gavage) or vehicle (CTR group) from the postnatal day (PND) 28 to 50. At PND 51 and 120 the rats were evaluated for: thoracic aorta reactivity to phenylephrine, in the presence (Endo+) or absence of endothelium (Endo-), to acetylcholine and to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), aortic thickness and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression.

Dextran-Based Injectable Hydrogel Composites for Bone Regeneration.

Currently, bone infections caused by diseases or injuries are a major health issue. In addition, the conventional therapeutic approaches used to treat bone diseases or injuries present several drawbacks. In the area of tissue engineering, researchers have been developing new alternative therapeutic approaches, such as scaffolds, to promote the regeneration of injured tissues.

Sensors in the Detection of Abused Substances in Forensic Contexts: A Comprehensive Review.

Forensic toxicology plays a pivotal role in elucidating the presence of drugs of abuse in both biological and solid samples, thereby aiding criminal investigations and public health initiatives. This review article explores the significance of sensor technologies in this field, focusing on diverse applications and their impact on the determination of drug abuse markers. This manuscript intends to review the transformative role of portable sensor technologies in detecting drugs of abuse in various samples.

677C>T (rsRS1801133) variant is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia but not with clinical severity in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Background: The 677C>T variant's involvement with hyperhomocysteinemia and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is still unclear.

Objectives: To evaluate associations between the 677C>T (rs1801133) variant and susceptibility to and severity of PAD and homocysteine (Hcy) levels.

Methods: The study enrolled 157 PAD patients and 113 unrelated controls.

The Therapeutic Potential of Amphetamine-like Psychostimulants.

This review delves into the therapeutic applications of amphetamine-type stimulants such as lisdexamphetamine dimesylate, mixed amphetamine salts, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), dextroamphetamine, and phentermine. These compounds have been investigated for their potential in treating a range of psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drug dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obesity. Lisdexamphetamine dimesylate has shown promise in effectively treating ADHD symptoms in both children and adults.

Hydrolysis effects on the water uptake of starch-g-glycidyl methacrylate (St)/dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm)-based hydrogels for potential agricultural purposes.

This work assessed the effect of different hydrolysis periods on the properties of hydrogels based on 75 % w w of N,N'-dimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm) and 25 % w w of starch-g-(glycidyl methacrylate) (St). FTIR results confirmed the conversion of ester groups into carboxylic acids and carboxylates, besides forming a keto-enol tautomer due to the peeling reaction of starch. For DMAAm, the hydrolysis mostly converted amide into carboxylate groups.