Potential role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in the amygdala in mitigating stress-induced high blood pressure via exercise in rats.

Aim: Chronic stress elevates blood pressure, whereas regular exercise exerts antistress and antihypertensive effects. However, the mechanisms of stress-induced hypertension and preventive effects through exercise remain unknown. Thus, we investigated the molecular basis involved in autonomic blood pressure regulation within the amygdala.

Involvement of D1 dopamine receptor in the nucleus of the solitary tract of rats in stress-induced hypertension and exercise.

Objective: Chronic stress can cause hypertension, whereas daily exercise promotes healthy well being through destressing. Although the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is involved in the development of hypertension, the molecular and physiological mechanisms of stress and exercise remain unclear. In this study, we tested whether gene expression in the NTS is altered by stress and daily exercise and whether this is involved in cardiovascular regulation.

Interleukin-6 blocking agents for treating COVID-19: a living systematic review.

Background: It has been reported that people with COVID-19 and pre-existing autoantibodies against type I interferons are likely to develop an inflammatory cytokine storm responsible for severe respiratory symptoms. Since interleukin 6 (IL-6) is one of the cytokines released during this inflammatory process, IL-6 blocking agents have been used for treating people with severe COVID-19.

Objectives: To update the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of IL-6 blocking agents compared to standard care alone or to a placebo for people with COVID-19.

Impact of exercise on brain-bone marrow interactions in chronic stress: potential mechanisms preventing stress-induced hypertension.

We examined the effect of chronic restraint stress and the counteractive effects of daily exercise on the molecular basis of the brain-bone marrow (BM) interactions, by especially focusing on the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Male Wistar rats were assigned into control, restraint stress, and stress + daily spontaneous exercise (SE) groups. BM and hypothalamic gene expression profiles were examined through the undertaking of RT-PCR and microarrays, respectively.

PSMA-PET/CT-Guided Intensification of Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (PSMAgRT): Findings of Detection Rate, Effect on Cancer Management, and Early Toxicity From a Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly integrated in prostate cancer management because of its diagnostic performance. We sought to evaluate the effect of PSMA-PET/computed tomography (CT)-guided intensification of radiation therapy (PSMAgRT) on patient outcomes. Here, we report secondary trial endpoints including the rate of new lesion detection, effect on prostate cancer management, and treatment-related toxicities.

Interleukin-6 blocking agents for treating COVID-19: a living systematic review.

Background: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) blocking agents have been used for treating severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Their immunosuppressive effect might be valuable in patients with COVID-19 characterised by substantial immune system dysfunction by controlling inflammation and promoting disease tolerance.

Objectives: To assess the effect of IL-6 blocking agents compared to standard care alone or with placebo on efficacy and safety outcomes in COVID-19.

Platelet activation in rabbits with decompression sickness.

Platelets are the most easily altered type of peripheral blood cell in decompression sickness (DCS), which can feature decreased platelet count and the appearance of platelet microparticles in plasma. We hypothesized that DCS results in platelet activation in the bloodstream. The present study was carried out on 45 rabbits.

A scoping review describes methods used to identify, prioritize and display gaps in health research.

Background And Objectives: Different methods to examine research gaps have been described, but there are still no standard methods for identifying, prioritizing, or reporting research gaps. This study aimed to describe the methods used to identify, prioritize, and display gaps in health research.

Methods: A scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework was carried out.

Prediction of enteric methane emission from beef cattle in Southeast Asia.

We conducted a meta-data analysis to develop prediction equations to estimate enteric methane (CH ) emission from beef cattle in Southeast Asia. The dataset was obtained from 25 studies, which included 332 individual observations on nutrient intakes, digestibilities, and CH emissions. Cattle were provided tropical forage or rice straw, with or without concentrates in individual pens equipped with indirect open-circuit head hood apparatus.

Public reporting and the quality of care of German nursing homes.

Objectives: Since 2009, German nursing homes have been evaluated regularly by an external institution with quality report cards published online. We follow recent debates and argue that most of the information in the report cards does not reliably measure quality of care. However, a subset of up to seven measures does.

Cervical necrosis after chemoradiation for cervical cancer: case series and literature review.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the management of cervical necrosis (CN) following radiotherapy (RT) and the impact of smoking status. This rare complication mimics a neoplastic recurrence, and causes concern among attending physicians.

Methods: Between July 2008 and March 2013, 5 women on 285 with localized cervical cancer had a CN following RT.

Impact of concurrent androgen deprivation on fiducial marker migration in external-beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Purpose: To determine the extent of gold fiducial marker (FM) migration in patients treated for prostate cancer with concurrent androgen deprivation and external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT).

Methods And Materials: Three or 4 gold FMs were implanted in 37 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in conjunction with 70-78 Gy. Androgen deprivation therapy was started a median of 3.

Effect of statins and anticoagulants on prostate cancer aggressiveness.

Purpose: Statins and anticoagulants (ACs) have both been associated with a less-aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) and a better outcome after treatment of localized PCa. The results of these studies might have been confounded because patients might often take both medications. We examined their respective influence on PCa aggressiveness at initial diagnosis.

The importance of an exponential prostate-specific antigen decline after external beam radiotherapy for intermediate risk prostate cancer.

Background: To study the influence of an exponential prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline on biochemical failure after external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Methods: We analyzed 114 patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer (Gleason≤6 and PSA 10-20 or Gleason 7 and PSA <10). Patients were randomized between EBRT doses of either 70.

Efficacy of a low-cost, inactivated whole-cell oral cholera vaccine: results from 3 years of follow-up of a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Killed oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) have been licensed for use in developing countries, but protection conferred by licensed OCVs beyond two years of follow-up has not been demonstrated in randomized, clinical trials.

Methods/principal Findings: We conducted a cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a two-dose regimen of a low-cost killed whole cell OCV in residents 1 year of age and older living in 3,933 clusters in Kolkata, India. The primary endpoint was culture-proven Vibrio cholerae O1 diarrhea episodes severe enough to require treatment in a health care facility.

Toxicity report of once weekly radiation therapy for low-risk prostate adenocarcinoma: preliminary results of a phase I/II trial.

Background: Increasing clinical data supports a low α/β ratio for prostate adenocarcinoma, potentially lower than that of surrounding normal tissues. A hypofractionated, weekly radiation therapy (RT) schedule should result in improved tumour control, reduced acute toxicity, and similar or decreased late effects. We report the toxicity profile of such treatment.

Bone marrow-sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy for Stage I seminoma.

Background: A direct association between radiotherapy dose, side-effects and secondary cancers has been described in patients with seminoma. A treatment planning study was performed in order to compare computed tomography-based traditional radiotherapy (CT-tRT) versus bone marrow-sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (BMS-IMRT) in patients with Stage I seminoma.

Material And Methods: We optimized in 10 patients a CT-tRT and a BMS-IMRT treatment plan to deliver 20 Gy to the para-aortic nodes.

Efficacy and safety of a modified killed-whole-cell oral cholera vaccine in India: an interim analysis of a cluster-randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Oral cholera vaccines consisting of killed whole cells have been available for many years, but they have not been used extensively in populations with endemic disease. An inexpensive, locally produced oral killed-whole-cell vaccine has been used in high-risk areas in Vietnam. To expand the use of this vaccine, it was modified to comply with WHO standards.

Factors influencing treatment decisions in patients with low risk prostate cancer referred to a brachytherapy clinic.

Objective: The present study aimed to analyze factors influencing treatment decisions in patients diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer who were referred to a brachytherapy clinic and had to choose from four treatment options: expectant management (watchful waiting), radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy, and permanent seed brachytherapy.

Methods: We analyzed factors that influenced the treatment decisions of 110 consecutive patients with low risk prostate cancer who were referred to a brachytherapy clinic in a hospital in Montreal, Canada. These factors included patient age, marital status, and profession, as well as referral source (a urologist or a radiation oncologist), and distance and driving time from the patient's home to the medical center.

Combined hypofractionated radiation and hormone therapy for the treatment of intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose: Because of the low alpha/beta value of prostate cancer, a therapeutic gain may be possible with a hypofractionated radiation scheme, and this gain may be further increased with the adjunct of hormone therapy. A Phase II study was undertaken to study the toxicity of such a treatment.

Methods And Materials: Forty-two patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer were recruited for this study.