A morpho-histological analysis of the exoskeleton of (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) reveals insights into the taxonomy of Clathrozoellidae and Hydroidolina.

The taxonomic complexity of the families Clathrozoidae and Clathrozoellidae, rooted in early 20th-century hydroid descriptions, highlights the need for comprehensive and detailed morphological analyses. This study aimed to elucidate the histology of the polypoid stage of Peña Cantero, Vervoort & Watson, 2003, with a particular emphasis on its exoskeletal structure. Specimens from the National Museum of Natural History were examined histologically using different staining techniques.

Prenatal Valproic Acid Induces Autistic-Like Behaviors in Rats via Dopaminergic Modulation in Nigrostriatal and Mesocorticolimbic Pathways.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder characterized by several behavioral impairments, especially in socialization, communication, and the occurrence of stereotyped behaviors. In rats, prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) induces autistic-like behaviors. Previous studies by our group have suggested that the autistic-like phenotype is possibly related to dopaminergic system modulation because tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression was affected.

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Understanding the work-related challenges of organ and tissue donation coordinators during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-method study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of donation coordinators in Canada and understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their work activities.

Design: A sequential mixed-method design incorporating a cross-sectional survey investigating demographic data, substance use and abuse and perceived stress related to the pandemic and semistructured qualitative interviews to further investigate those.

Setting: Organ donation organisations across Canada.

Achieving stable nitrogen removal through mainstream partial nitrification, anammox and denitrification (SNAD) with a hybrid biofilm-granular reactor.

Simultaneous partial nitrification, anammox, and denitrification (SNAD) process offers a promising method for the effective removal of carbon and nitrogen from wastewater. However, ensuring stability is a challenge. This study investigated operational parameters such as hydraulic retention time (HRT) and biomass retention to stabilize SNAD operation, transitioning from synthetic to anaerobically pre-treated municipal wastewater (APMW) in an upflow hybrid biofilm-granular reactor (UHR).

RETHINKING LOW TESTOSTERONE IN OLDER MEN: ASSOCIATION WITH OBESITY RATHER THAN AGING.

Background: The decline in testosterone levels among older men remains a subject of debate. While some cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have reported a decrease in testosterone with advancing age, others have not observed this trend. In this study, we aimed to evaluate testosterone levels and identify predictors of low testosterone in an age-stratified cohort of men.

Exploring DiPP (Diisopentyl Phthalate) Neurotoxicity and the Detoxification Process in Zebrafish Larvae - A Silent Contaminant?

Diisopentyl phthalate (DiPP) is present in many consumer goods, but can be absorbed into the human body, and can disrupt the endocrine system affecting reproductive health and fetal development. Studies revealed that biological samples of pregnant women in Brazil contained DiPP, raising even more the concerns about its usage. This study investigated how DiPP concentrations (12.

The effect of thermal stress on the X-organ/sinus gland proteome of the estuarine blue crab Callinectes sapidus during the intermolt and premolt stages.

Survival of brachyuran crabs is temperature-dependent and thermal stress promotes changes during molting. We aimed to decipher the impact of thermal stresses on the X-organ/sinus gland (XO/SG) complex, a temperature-sensitive neuroendocrine tissue involved in the molting regulation of Callinectes sapidus during the intermolt and premolt phases. We employed a proteogenomic approach using specimens subjected to control (24 °C), cold (19 °C), and heat (29 °C) temperatures.

Epicardial Substrate Ablation in Symptomatic Brugada Syndrome Patients: An Updated Systematic Review and Single-arm Meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic heart disease that predisposes individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and quinidine are primary treatments, recurrent BrS-triggered ventricular arrhythmias can persist. In this setting, epicardial substrate ablation has emerged as a promising alternative for symptomatic patients.

Environmental and biological measurements of the anesthetic isoflurane and its possible toxic effects in veterinarians.

We evaluated both environmental (workplace) and biological (urine) exposure to the anesthetic isoflurane concerning the effects of such exposure on the hematological, hepatic, and renal parameters in veterinarians. Samples were collected from exposed and nonexposed (volunteers) groups to assess hematological and several biochemical markers, and isoflurane was measured in the workplace air and veterinarian's urine. Isoflurane was detected at high levels in the air and urine.

Cobalt tungstate nanoparticles (CoWO NPs) affect the photosynthetic performance of the green microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata.

Innovative applications of cobalt tungstate nanoparticles (CoWO NPs) are directly linked to their increased production and consumption, which can consequently increase their release into aquatic ecosystems and the exposure of organisms. Microalgae are autotrophic organisms that contribute directly to global primary productivity and provide oxygen for maintaining many organisms on Earth. In this paper, we assessed the toxicity of CoWO NPs when in contact with the freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae).

Long-term effect of non-invasive brain stimulation on hemispatial neglect, functional outcomes, and mortality after stroke: ELETRON trial extend.

Introduction: Our primary clinical trial indicated that anodal stimulation of the right posterior parietal region associated with specific and perceptual task training was superior to placebo in reducing stroke-induced hemispatial neglect (HN) immediately after the treatment protocol. However, our primary study did not investigate whether this benefit was maintained in the long term after stroke. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of the protocol applied in the ELETRON trial on outcomes associated with HN, functionality, and mortality.

From overgrazed land to forests: assessing soil health in the Caatinga biome.

Overgrazing is the primary human-induced cause of soil degradation in the Caatinga biome, intensely threatening lands vulnerable to desertification. Grazing exclusion, a simple and cost-effective practice, could restore soils' ecological functions. However, comprehensive insights into the effects of overgrazing and grazing exclusion on Caatinga soils' multifunctionality are lacking.

Dentoskeletal effects of molar distalization with miniscrew-anchored cantilever and pendulum appliance for Class II correction.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare the dental and skeletal changes promoted by the miniscrew-anchored cantilever and pendulum appliance for Class II correction.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 52 patients with Class II malocclusion divided into 2 groups according to the treatment received: the miniscrew group (MG) with 23 patients (14 females and 9 males; mean initial age of 12.42 years) treated using the miniscrew-anchored cantilever, and the pendulum group (PG) with 29 patients (21 females and 8 males; mean initial age of 13.

Cognitive changes in post-stroke depression patients undergoing treatment with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): an exploratory, ancillary analysis of a randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial.

Objective: Post-stroke depression (PSD) affects approximately 40% of stroke survivors, with cognitive deficits being frequently observed. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has shown promise in improving cognitive performance in stroke patients. We explored the effects of tDCS on cognitive performance in PSD.

Effect of combined aerobic exercise and resistance training on postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is no strong evidence demonstrating whether or not aerobic exercise in conjunction with resistance exercise improves metabolic diabetes markers in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise and resistance training on metabolic markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: The searches were completed using EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Intra-Individual Stable Isotope Variation Tracks Brazilian Contemporary Dietary and Nutritional Transition.

Introduction: Contemporary dietary and nutritional transitions are commonplace, but difficult to study directly. In Brazil, and Latin America, this generalized process, leading to current obesity and malnutrition problems, started more than four decades ago. Although body weight and food availability are used to measure changes, not much information on food consumption and nutrition exist.

Weekday-Weekend Differences in Chrononutritional Variables Depend on Urban or Rural Living.

Background/objectives: Studies have highlighted the impact of work and school schedules on food preferences, suggesting that individuals' dietary choices may change during the week to align with their daily routines. Despite the variation in food composition in the population, there is no evidence identifying differences in food intake times and composition across the days of the week in urban/rural locations. Thus, the study's aim was to identify weekday vs.

The Role of Vimentin Peptide Citrullination in the Structure and Dynamics of HLA-DRB1 Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk-Associated Alleles.

Citrullination, a post-translational modification (PTM), plays a critical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by triggering immune responses to citrullinated self-antigens. Some HLA-DRB1 genes encode molecules with the shared epitope (QKRAA/QRRAA) sequence in the peptide-binding groove which preferentially presents citrulline-modified peptides, like vimentin, that intensifies the immune response in RA. In this study, we used computational approaches to evaluate intermolecular interactions between vimentin peptide-ligands (with/without PTM) and HLA-DRB1 alleles associated with a significantly increased risk for RA development.

Agathisflavone Inhibits Viability and Modulates the Expression of miR-125b, miR-155, IL-6, and Arginase in Glioblastoma Cells and Microglia/Macrophage Activation.

Glioblastomas (GBM) are malignant tumours with poor prognosis. Treatment involves chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy; however, there is currently no standard treatment for recurrence, and prognosis remains unfavourable. Inflammatory mediators and microRNAs (miRNAs) influence the aggressiveness of GBM, being involved in the communication with the cells of the tumour parenchyma, including microglia/macrophages, and maintaining an immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) in patients with post-surgical macular edema - a real-world scenario.

Background: Clinically significant macular edema (CME) is the leading cause of visual loss after ophthalmologic surgery due to the release of inflammatory mediators promoted by the procedures. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of intravitreal Ozurdex (700 µg dexamethasone) implants as a primary therapeutical option for post-surgical macular edema cases.

Methods: Patients with post-surgical macular edema diagnosed by optical coherence tomography (Cirrus SD-OCT) and treated with Ozudex were selected for the current study.

Genetic parameters and genome-wide association studies including the X chromosome for various reproduction and semen quality traits in Nellore cattle.

Background: The profitability of the beef industry is directly influenced by the fertility rate and reproductive performance of both males and females, which can be improved through selective breeding. When performing genomic analyses, genetic markers located on the X chromosome have been commonly ignored despite the X chromosome being one of the largest chromosomes in the cattle genome. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to: (1) estimate variance components and genetic parameters for eighteen male and five female fertility and reproductive traits in Nellore cattle including X chromosome markers in the analyses; and (2) perform genome-wide association studies and functional genomic analyses to better understand the genetic background of male and female fertility and reproductive performance traits in Nellore cattle.

Exploring the antivirulence potential of phenolic compounds to inhibit quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacteria coordinate gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner in a communication process called quorum sensing (QS). The expression of virulence factors, biofilm formation and enzyme production are QS-regulated phenotypes that can interfere in human health. Due to this importance, there is great interest in inhibiting QS, comprising an anti-virulence strategy.

Four Decades of Treatment for Actinic Cheilitis: Outcomes, Challenges, and the Introduction of a New Clinical Index.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical and non-surgical treatments for actinic cheilitis (AC) over a four-decade period and to introduce a novel Clinical Index for the Treatment and Control of Actinic Cheilitis (CITC-AC) for improved patient stratification and management.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed 151 patients diagnosed with AC treated at a university clinic between 1980 and 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical, and histopathological data were collected.