Gut Microbiota and Gut-Brain Axis in Hypertension: Implications for Kidney and Cardiovascular Health-A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is a major contributor to a wide range of health complications, with cardiac hypertrophy and chronic kidney disease being among the most prevalent. Consequently, novel strategies for the treatment and prevention of hypertension are actively being explored. Recent research has highlighted a potential link between hypertension and the gut-brain axis.

Associations of Microbiota and Nutrition with Cognitive Impairment in Diseases.

Background/objectives: Recent research highlights the growing interest in the impact of nutrition on cognitive health and function in disease, as dietary habits are increasingly recognized as crucial factors in relation to brain function. This focus is especially important given the rising prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases and the cognitive decline associated with poor dietary choices. Links are now being sought between brain function and the microbiota and gut-brain axis.

Lactic Acid Bacteria-Derived Postbiotics as Adjunctive Agents in Breast Cancer Treatment to Boost the Antineoplastic Effect of a Conventional Therapeutic Comprising Tamoxifen and a New Drug Candidate: An Aziridine-Hydrazide Hydrazone Derivative.

Breast cancer is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. As about 20-30% of patients exhibiting ER-positive phenotype are resistant to hormonal treatment with the standard drug tamoxifen, finding new therapies is a necessity. Postbiotics, metabolites, and macromolecules isolated from probiotic bacteria cultures have been proven to have sufficient bioactivity to exert prohealth and anticancer effects, making them viable adjunctive agents for the treatment of various neoplasms, including breast cancer.

SGLT2 Inhibitors in Kidney Diseases-A Narrative Review.

Some of the most common conditions affecting people are kidney diseases. Among them, we distinguish chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. Both entities pose serious health risks, so new drugs are still being sought to treat and prevent them.

Intestinal permeability and its significance in psychiatric disorders - A narrative review and future perspectives.

The topic of increased intestinal permeability and its impact on the human body is increasingly being addressed by researchers. It is associated with disruption of the intestinal barrier, leading to the "leaky gut" syndrome. This can be assessed by classical methods, determining the concentration of orally administered tracer molecules in urine or by using biomarkers such as LPS, LBP or zonulin in blood plasma.

Influence of Anodizing Stages on the Preload Force of Implant-Abutment Screws and Their Benefits Regarding the Concept of Immediate Implant Placement-An In Vitro Study.

The tightening torque applied to a screw in a provisional restoration immediately after implant placement in a fresh extraction socket is often too low to gain sufficient preload force. Therefore, abutment screw loosening is a common complication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to increase the preload force of a given tightening torque by anodizing parts of the implant-abutment complex.

Understanding the Associations of Prenatal Androgen Exposure on Sleep Physiology, Circadian Proteins, Anthropometric Parameters, Hormonal Factors, Quality of Life, and Sex Among Healthy Young Adults: Protocol for an International, Multicenter Study.

Background: The ratio of the second finger length to the fourth finger length (2D:4D ratio) is considered to be negatively correlated with prenatal androgen exposure (PAE) and positively correlated with prenatal estrogen. Coincidentally, various brain regions are sensitive to PAE, and their functions in adults may be influenced by the prenatal actions of sex hormones.

Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship between PAE (indicated by the 2D:4D ratio) and various physiological (sex hormone levels and sleep-wake parameters), psychological (mental health), and sexual parameters in healthy young adults.

Use of magnetic resonance image-guided radiotherapy for breast cancer: a scoping review.

In recent years, we have seen the integration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulators into radiotherapy centres and the emergence MR linear accelerators (MR-linac). Currently, there are limited studies to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of MRI guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT) treatment for breast cancer patients. The objective of this scoping review was to identify and map the existing evidence surrounding the clinical implementation of MRIgRT for breast cancer patients.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy for breast cancer: a scoping review protocol.

Background: In recent years, we have seen the incorporation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulators into radiotherapy centres and the emergence of the new technology of MR linacs. However, the significant health care resources associated with this advanced technology impact immediate widespread use and availability. There are currently limited studies to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness and inform decision-making on the use of MRI in radiotherapy.

Risk of bias and reporting completeness of randomised controlled trials in burn care: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: Burn care represents a healthcare and economic burden to patients internationally. Choice of the most clinically effective treatment strategies requires evidence which is best obtained through high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCT). The number of published RCTs of burn care is increasing.

The use of tissue fiducial markers in improving the accuracy of post-prostatectomy radiotherapy.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the use of a radiopaque tissue fiducial marker (TFM) in the treatment of prostate cancer patients who undergo post-prostatectomy radiotherapy (PPRT). TFM safety, its role and benefit in quantifying the set-up uncertainties in patients undergoing PPRT image-guided radiotherapy were assessed.

Materials And Methods: A total of 45 consecutive PPRT patients underwent transperineal implantation of TFM at the level of vesicourethral anastomosis in the retrovesical tissue prior to intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Improving rectal dosimetry for patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer undergoing combined high-dose-rate brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy with hydrogel space.

Purpose: To report on rectal dosimetric and toxicity outcomes of intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients undergoing combined high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without hydrogel spacer (HS) insertion.

Material And Methods: A total of 97 patients were analyzed in this study, with 32 patients (33%) who had HS insertion compared with a preceding group of 65 patients (67%) without HS. HS safety, the dosimetric effects on organs at risk (rectal, urethral, penile bulb, and bladder) as well as gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary toxicity were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

High dose rate brachytherapy boost for prostate cancer: Biochemical control and the impact of transurethral resection of the prostate and hydrogel spacer insertion on toxicity outcomes.

Introduction: To examine the long-term outcomes of high dose rate brachytherapy boost (HDR-BT) combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients.

Methods: Data from 95 patients who underwent combined EBRT (50.4 Gy) and HDR-BT to the prostate between 2010 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed.

Non-clinical interventions for reducing unnecessary caesarean section.

Background: Caesarean section rates are increasing globally. The factors contributing to this increase are complex, and identifying interventions to address them is challenging. Non-clinical interventions are applied independently of a clinical encounter between a health provider and a patient.

An analysis of retractions of dental publications.

Objectives: To comprehensively report on the characteristics of retracted publications in the field of dentistry.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), PubMed Central, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases for dental retracted articles from database inception to 02 July 2018. In addition, we scanned the search engine Google Scholar, and the website, Retraction Watch (www.

Surveying Retracted Studies and Notices Within the Field of Radiation Oncology.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize retracted studies within the field of radiation oncology.

Methods And Materials: Computerized searches were performed in Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to May 2017 looking for retracted studies using the terms "retraction note," "retracted note," "withdrawn" and "radiotherapy," and "radiation oncology." Additional studies were identified by hand-searching 10 discipline-specific journals.

Appraisal of systematic reviews on the management of peri-implant diseases with two methodological tools.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of two methodological instruments to appraise systematic reviews and to identify potential disagreements of systematic review authors regarding risk of bias (RoB) evaluation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included in systematic reviews on peri-implant diseases.

Material/methods: We searched Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar for systematic reviews on peri-implant diseases published before July 11, 2017. Two authors independently evaluated the RoB and methodological quality of the systematic reviews by applying the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) tool and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) checklist, respectively.

Prospective analysis of hydrogel spacer for patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Objective: To report on the dosimetric benefits and late toxicity outcomes after injection of hydrogel spacer (HS) between the prostate and rectum for patients treated with prostate radiotherapy (RT).

Patients And Methods: In all, 76 patients with a clinical stage of T1-T3a prostate cancer underwent general anaesthesia for fiducial marker insertion plus injection of the HS into the perirectal space before intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc RT (VMAT). HS safety, dosimetric benefits, and the immediate- to long-term effects of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were assessed.

A survey of prevalence of narrative and systematic reviews in five major medical journals.

Background: Systematic reviews may provide less biased evidence than narrative reviews because they observe a strict methodology, similarly to primary studies. Hence, for clinical research questions, systematic reviews should be the study design of choice. It would be important to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of narrative and systematic reviews published in prominent medical journals.

Interventions for managing skeletal muscle spasticity following traumatic brain injury.

Background: Skeletal muscle spasticity is a major physical complication resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can lead to muscle contracture, joint stiffness, reduced range of movement, broken skin and pain. Treatments for spasticity include a range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, often used in combination. Management of spasticity following TBI varies from other clinical populations because of the added complexity of behavioural and cognitive issues associated with TBI.

Chemical burns: Diphoterine untangled.

Objective: Diphoterine is a hypertonic, amphoteric, polyvalent and chelating decontamination solution used in the treatment of cutaneous and ocular chemical burns. Due to infrequent use by emergency physicians along with the small number of available studies, its debate in the literature as to its efficacy and safety remains inconclusive.

Methods: A structured literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS and TOXNET to June 2016 for original English-language studies reporting on the safety and effectiveness of Diphoterine.