Trastuzumab deruxtecan in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer brain metastases: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

Background: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has shown promising activity in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. In this updated meta-analysis, we explore the effectiveness of T-DXd in a large subset of patients with HER2-positive BC and CNS disease.

Methods: A systematic search was made on September 16th, 2024, for studies investigating T-DXd in the scenario of HER2-positive BC and brain metastases (BMs) and/or leptomeningeal disease (LMD).

Relative fire-proneness of land cover types in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Fires are increasingly affecting tropical biomes, where landscape-fire interactions remain understudied. We investigate the fire-proneness-the likelihood of a land use or land cover (LULC) type burning more or less than expected based on availability-in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (AF). This biodiversity hotspot is increasingly affected by fires due to human activities and climate change.

Efficiency Analysis of Healthcare Systems in Latin American and Caribbean Countries: An Application Based on Data Envelopment Analysis.

Objectives: Despite the increasing investments in Latin American healthcare, the corresponding improvement in population health is not proportional. This discrepancy may be attributed to the efficiency of resource utilization. This study used the data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to assess the efficiency of healthcare systems in 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Floodplain forests drive fruit-eating fish diversity at the Amazon Basin-scale.

Unlike most rivers globally, nearly all lowland Amazonian rivers have unregulated flow, supporting seasonally flooded floodplain forests. Floodplain forests harbor a unique tree species assemblage adapted to flooding and specialized fauna, including fruit-eating fish that migrate seasonally into floodplains, favoring expansive floodplain areas. Frugivorous fish are forest-dependent fauna critical to forest regeneration via seed dispersal and support commercial and artisanal fisheries.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative bacteriological test result. There is limited information on the factors that determine clinicians' decisions to initiate TB treatment when initial bacteriological test results are negative.

Methods And Findings: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January 2010 and December 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613).

Rabies transmitted from vampires to cattle: An overview.

Rabies is a zoonotic infectious disease of global distribution that impacts human and animal health. In rural Latin America, rabies negatively impacts food security and the economy due to losses in livestock production. The common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, is the main reservoir and transmitter of rabies virus (RABV) to domestic animals in Latin America.

Involvement of GTPases and vesicle adapter proteins in Heparan sulfate biosynthesis: role of Rab1A, Rab2A and GOLPH3.

Vesicle trafficking is pivotal in heparan sulfate (HS) biosynthesis, influencing its spatial and temporal regulation within distinct Golgi compartments. This regulation modulates the sulfation pattern of HS, which is crucial for governing various biological processes. Here, we investigate the effects of silencing Rab1A and Rab2A expression on the localisation of 3-O-sulfotransferase-5 (3OST5) within Golgi compartments and subsequent alterations in HS structure and levels.

Family Perspectives on Functional Priorities for Brazilian Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy.

This study aimed to identify the functional priorities of parents/guardians of Brazilian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and to examine possible variations in priorities concerning different age groups and functional classifications. This cross-sectional study included 171 children with CP (mean age: 7.68 ± 3.

Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitor Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The open-label randomized phase 2 LACOG0415 trial evaluated 3 treatment strategies for patients with advanced castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC): androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus abiraterone acetate and prednisone (AAP), apalutamide (APA) alone, or APA plus AAP.

Objective: To investigate the association of ADT plus AAP, APA alone, or APA plus AAP with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with advanced CSPC in the LACOG0415 trial.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The LACOG0415 randomized clinical trial comprised 128 patients with advanced CSPC who were randomized (1:1:1) to 1 of 3 treatment arms from October 16, 2017, to April 23, 2019.

McGrath MAC Versus Three-Dimensional Printed Video Laryngoscopes: A Randomized, Manikin-Simulated Noninferiority Controlled Study with Medical Students.

Background: Proficiency in endotracheal intubation (ETI) is essential for medical professionals and its training should start at medical schools; however, large caseload may be required before achieving an acceptable success rate with direct laryngoscopy. Video laryngoscopy has proven to be an easier alternative for intubation with a faster learning curve, but its availability in medical training may be an issue due to its high market prices. We devised a low-cost 3-dimensionally printed video laryngoscope (3DVL) and performed a randomized trial to evaluate if the intubation success rate on the first attempt with this device is noninferior to a standard commercially available video laryngoscope (STVL).

Cecal microbial composition and serum concentration of short-chain fatty acids in laying hens fed different fiber sources.

The intestinal microbiota is widely recognized as an integral factor in host health, metabolism, and immunity. In this study, the impact of dietary fiber sources on the intestinal microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was evaluated in Lohmann White laying hens. The hens were divided into four treatment groups: a control diet without fiber, a diet with wheat bran (mixed fibers), a diet with insoluble fiber (cellulose), and a diet with soluble fiber (pectin), with six replicates of four hens each.

MiRNAs and tempol therapeutic potential in prostate cancer: a preclinical approach.

This study investigated tempol action on genes and miRNAs related to NFκB pathway in androgen dependent or independent cell lines and in TRAMP model in the early and late-stages of cancer progression. A bioinformatic search was conducted to select the miRNAs to be measured based on the genes of interest from NFκB pathway. The miR-let-7c-5p, miR-26a-5p and miR-155-5p and five target genes (BCL2, BCL2L1, RELA, TNF, PTGS2) were chosen for RT-PCR and gene enrichment analyses.

Combined exercise-induced modulation of Notch pathway and muscle quality in senescence-accelerated mice.

The Notch signaling pathway is crucial for skeletal muscle development, regeneration, inflammation, and aging. This study investigated the association between interleukin-10 (IL-10) and the Notch pathway in C2C12 cells, as well as explored the effects of combined endurance and resistance exercise on the Notch and autophagy pathways in the skeletal muscle of senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1 Sedentary (SAMR1 CT), SAMR1 exercised (SAMR1 EX), senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 Sedentary (SAMP8 CT), and SAMP8 exercised (SAMP8 EX). C2C12 myoblasts were transfected with siIL-10.

Urban River Policies: Multilevel Analysis and Community Engagement in Curitiba.

This study investigates urban river policies, emphasizing the gaps in understanding the interactions between riverine communities and governance systems. Using empirical and theoretical methods, the research applies multivariate analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to data from a representative sample of 1740 residents of Curitiba. The study maintains a 95% confidence level with a ±2.

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with Medullary Features and a Complete Pathological Response After Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor response to chemotherapy. High-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) is a rare biological phenomenon in conventional PDAC, being more frequently described in tumors with medullary or mucinous features.

Methods And Results: In this manuscript, we report the case of a patient with an MSI-H pancreatic carcinoma with medullary features (medullary carcinoma of the pancreas-MCP) that achieved a complete pathological response after neoadjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX.

The effect of audio distraction in reducing signs of stress and anxiety during pediatric dental treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To perform a systematic review to investigate if the use of audio distraction reduces signs of stress and anxiety in paediatric patients undergoing dental treatment.

Materials And Methods: Search was made in electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Scielo, BVS, Springer Link, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and grey literature) until March 11th, 2024. The eligibility criteria were: paediatric patients under dental treatment; use of audio as a distraction method; comparison between groups with and without use of audio distraction; Clinical trials.

Drug Property Optimization: Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Pharmaceutical Salts and Cocrystal-Salt of Lumefantrine.

Lumefantrine (LMF) is a low-solubility antimalarial drug that cures acute, uncomplicated malaria. It exerts its pharmacological effects against erythrocytic stages of spp. and prevents malaria pathogens from producing nucleic acid and protein, thereby eliminating the parasites.

Heart failure risk stratification using artificial intelligence applied to electrocardiogram images: a multinational study.

Background And Aims: Current heart failure (HF) risk stratification strategies require comprehensive clinical evaluation. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) applied to electrocardiogram (ECG) images was examined as a strategy to predict HF risk.

Methods: Across multinational cohorts in the Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS), UK Biobank (UKB), and Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), individuals without baseline HF were followed for the first HF hospitalization.

Impacts of β-diketonate terminal ligands on slow magnetic relaxation and luminescence thermometry in dinuclear Dy single-molecule magnets.

Lanthanide-based Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) with optical and magnetic properties provide a means to understand intrinsic energy levels of 4f ions and their influence on optical and magnetic behaviour. Fundamental understanding of their luminescent and slow relaxation of the magnetization behaviour is critical for targeting and designing SMMs with multiple functionalities. Herein, we seek to investigate the role of Dy coordination environment and fine electronic structure on the slow magnetic relaxation and luminescence thermometry.

Dementia prevalence and dementia risk in Indigenous Peoples: recent findings, current developments, and future directions.

Purpose Of Review: To highlight recent findings on the prevalence and risk and protective factors for dementia in Indigenous Peoples, who are disproportionately affected by health inequities driven by social determinants of health and historical injustices. With increasing numbers of Indigenous individuals entering older age, there is a growing need for research to better understand dementia and opportunities for prevention in Indigenous Peoples.

Recent Findings: Recent studies highlight a wide range of dementia prevalence across Indigenous Peoples, with estimates varying significantly by methodology, socio-cultural context, and region with stark gaps in regional representation.

Association between individual urinary iodine concentrations in pregnant women and maternal/newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess whether individual diagnosis of low urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in pregnant women is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: Studies that compared pregnant women with UIC <150 μg/L and those with UIC 150-249 μg/L were systematically reviewed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL were our source databases.

Respiratory muscle training in people with cervical spinal cord injury - A systematic review.

Introduction: Spinal cord injury is a physiological disruption often caused by trauma, leading to severe physical and psychological effects, including irreversible impairment and disability. Cervical injuries, particularly between C1 and C8, are the most severe, potentially causing diaphragm paralysis and requiring mechanical ventilation. Reduced respiratory muscle strength not only affects respiratory function but also significantly impacts voice, speech, and communication, which are crucial for quality of life.

Laser-Induced Olfactory Bulbectomy in Adult Zebrafish as a Novel Putative Model for Affective Syndrome: A Research Tribute to Brian Leonard.

Inducing multiple neurobehavioural and neurochemical deficits, olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) has been developed as a rodent model of depression with potential for antidepressant drug screening. However, the generality of this model in other vertebrate taxa remains poorly understood. A small freshwater teleost fish, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), is rapidly becoming a common model species in neuroscience research.

Ultra-early versus early surgery for hip fracture.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of ultra-early versus early surgery for hip fracture in adults.