Ultrasound-guided Transperineal Prostate Thermal Ablation (TPTA) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Feasibility of an Outpatient Procedure using Radiofrequency Ablation.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term (3-month) results of transperineal prostate thermal ablation (TPTA) as a minimally invasive outpatient treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials And Methods: A prospective nonrandomized study of 25 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH seeking care at 2 interventional radiology centers between March and July 2024. TPTA was performed using a 17G radiofrequency needle with a 10-mm active tip under unconscious sedation combined with bilateral perineal and periprostatic nerve blocks.

First comprehensive report on the chemical composition of the floral perfume of (Orchidaceae).

This study presents the first complete analysis of the chemical composition of the flowers of the species and . The compounds were extracted distillation and simultaneous extraction and analysed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A total of 82 compounds were identified and the results reveal significant differences in the abundance of compounds between the species.

Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in kidney transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have recently shown potential efficacy for many conditions without the need for regular monitoring. However, their use in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is controversial, with no clear consensus on how they compare to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), which have traditionally been used as preferred anticoagulation therapy in these patients.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Central, and Embase databases were systematically searched up to December 2023 for studies comparing DOACs versus VKAs in KTRs.

Evolutionary diversification of C2 photosynthesis in the grass genus Homolepis (Arthropogoninae).

Background And Aims: To better understand C4 evolution in monocots, we characterized C3-C4 intermediate phenotypes in the grass genus Homolepis (subtribe Arthropogoninae).

Methods: Carbon isotope ratio (δ13C), leaf gas exchange, mesophyll (M) to bundle sheath (BS) tissue characteristics, organelle size and numbers in M and BS tissue, and tissue distribution of the P-subunit of glycine decarboxylase (GLDP) were determined for five Homolepis species and the C4 grass Mesosetum loliiforme from a phylogenetic sister clade. We generated a transcriptome-based phylogeny for Homolepis and Mesosetum species to interpret physiological and anatomical patterns in an evolutionary context, and to test for hybridization.

ERG and PTEN Role on Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer in the Multiparametric MRI Era.

Background: Our study aimed to correlate ERG and PTEN expressions in prostate biopsy with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging PI-RADS score, clinical reclassification, and prognosis of very low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients under active surveillance (AS).

Methods: We evaluated 101 very low-risk PCa patients under AS between 2013 and 2018. They were followed with DRE, PSA, MRI, and re-biopsies every 1-2 years.

Real-world epilepsy monitoring with ultra long-term subcutaneous EEG: a 15-month prospective study.

Objective: Novel subcutaneous electroencephalography (sqEEG) systems enable prolonged, near-continuous cerebral monitoring in real-world conditions. Nevertheless, the feasibility, acceptability and overall clinical utility of these systems remains unclear. We report on the longest observational study using ultra long-term sqEEG to date.

Warfarin and Aspirin Versus Warfarin Alone in Patients With HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aims: HeartMate 3 (HM3), a fully magnetically levitated ventricular assist device (LVAD), has been associated with reduced thromboembolic events compared to HeartMate II. However, bleeding events remained significant. Among patients undergoing HM3 implantation, the standard antithrombotic regimen comprises both warfarin and aspirin (ASA), but there is a lack of evidence on the optimum antithrombotic therapy.

Prophylactic mesh versus primary closure in emergency and elective surgeries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Purpose: Incisional hernia is one of the most common post-operative complications. Previous studies showed that prophylactic mesh placement in laparotomy closure is safe and reduces the incidence of incisional hernia. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis comparing post-operative complications after the use of prophylactic permanent mesh placement versus primary closure in patients undergoing elective or emergency laparotomies.

Using biodiversity databases to assess vascular plant diversity in Protected Areas: a case study of Parque Estadual do Forno Grande, Brazil.

Background: The Parque Estadual do Forno Grande is a fully protected area in the southern Espírito Santo State, Brazil. It belongs to the Atlantic Forest domain, with predominantly dense, ombrophilous, seasonal semi-deciduous forests and herbaceous/shrubby vegetation on rock outcrops. The area is recognised as highly important for conservation, designated as a priority biological area for protecting the Atlantic Forest's biodiversity.

Stereological study of organelle distribution in human mature oocytes.

The ultrastructure of human oocytes has been described only qualitatively. To offer a precise organelle spatial distribution and organelle volume during the main maturation stages, we previously conducted stereological studies on prophase-I (GV) and metaphase-I (MI) oocytes, and here we present results on metaphase-II (MII) oocytes. Five donor oocytes from different donors were processed for transmission electron microscopy, and quantification of organelle distribution was performed using point-counting stereology.

Navigating the changing landscape of transplant research: Trends, topics, and gender disparities.

Background: Transplantation is a rapidly evolving field, reflecting advances in medical science and changing healthcare needs. This study aims to elucidate shifts in research focus over a decade, providing insights into emerging trends in transplant research.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 9,250 articles published in five high-impact transplant journals from 2012 to 2021.

A new species of Mart. (Bonnetiaceae) from the Pantepui of South America.

is the most representative genus of the Pantepui woody flora and is among the groups with the greatest endemism in the local flora. The genus has 28 currently recognized species in tropical America, 26 of them endemic to the Pantepui. Here we describe from the summit of Mount Ayanganna tepui in Guyana, providing a morphological description, illustrations, distribution maps, characterization of micromorphology under scanning electron microscopy and leaf venation, comments comparing the new species with closely related species, and a key for the identification of the species of occurring in Guyana.

The value of self-reported variables in epilepsy monitoring and management. A systematic scoping review.

Purpose: Self-reported records of seizure occurrences, seizure triggers and prodromal symptoms via paper or electronic tools are essential components of epilepsy management. Despite recent studies indicating that this information could hold important clinical value, the adoption of self-reported information in clinical practice is inconsistent and of uncertain value.

Methods: We performed a systematic scoping review of the literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Design and implementation of a metagenomic analytical pipeline for respiratory pathogen detection.

Objective: We developed an in-house bioinformatics pipeline to improve the detection of respiratory pathogens in metagenomic sequencing data. This pipeline addresses the need for short-time analysis, high accuracy, scalability, and reproducibility in a high-performance computing environment.

Results: We evaluated our pipeline using ninety synthetic metagenomes designed to simulate nasopharyngeal swab samples.

Optimizing next-generation sequencing efficiency in clinical settings: analysis of read length impact on cost and performance.

Background: The expansion of sequencing technologies as a result of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic enabled pathogen (meta)genomics to be deployed as a routine component of surveillance in many countries. Scaling genomic surveillance, however, comes with associated costs in both equipment and sequencing reagents, which should be optimized. Here, we evaluate the cost efficiency and performance of different read lengths in identifying pathogens in metagenomic samples.

New wearable and portable EEG modalities in epilepsy: The views of hospital-based healthcare professionals.

Background: Novel mobile and portable EEG solutions, designed for short and long-term monitoring of individuals with epilepsy have been developed in recent years but, they are underutilized, lacking full integration into clinical routine. Exploring the opinions of hospital-based healthcare professionals regarding their potential application, technical requirements and value would be crucial for future device development and increase their clinical application.

Purpose: To evaluate professionals' opinions on novel EEG systems, focusing on their potential application in various clinical settings, professionals' interest in non-invasive solutions for ultra-long monitoring of people with epilepsy (PWE) and factors which could increase future use of novel EEG systems.

Disentangling the veil line for Brazilian biodiversity: An overview from two long-term research programs reveals huge gaps in ecological data reporting.

The lack of synthesized information regarding biodiversity is a major problem among researchers, leading to a pervasive cycle where ecologists make field campaigns to collect information that already exists and yet has not been made available for a broader audience. This problem leads to long-lasting effects in public policies such as spending money multiple times to conduct similar studies in the same area. We aim to identify this knowledge gap by synthesizing information available regarding two Brazilian long-term biodiversity programs and the metadata generated by them.

Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Local Anesthetics in Peribulbar Block: A Meta-analysis With Trial-Sequential Analysis.

Purpose: To assess the role of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics (LA) in enhancing the duration and quality of peribulbar blocks for ophthalmic surgeries.

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane for randomized controlled trials involving adult patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery under peribulbar block, comparing LA alone vs LA + dexmedetomidine.

Salicylic acid improves cowpea productivity under water restriction in the field by modulating metabolism.

Introduction: Salicylic acid has shown promise in alleviating water stress in cultivated plants. However, there is a lack of studies confirming its effectiveness in cowpea plants grown in field conditions. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the use of salicylic acid as a water stress mitigator in cowpea cultivars under different irrigation depths in field conditions.

Chromosomal analysis of two Acanthodoras species (Doradidae, Siluriformes): Insights into the oldest thorny catfish clade and its karyotype evolution.

The Doradidae fishes constitute one of the most diverse groups of Neotropical freshwater environments. Acanthodoradinae is the oldest lineage and the sister group to all other thorny catfishes, and it includes only the genus Acanthodoras. The diversity of Acanthodoras remains underestimated, and the use of complementary approaches, including genetic studies, is an important step to better characterize this diversity and the relationships among the species within the genus.