Evaluation of Synthetic Peptides from ATP Diphosphohydrolase 1: In Silico Approaches for Characterization and Prospective Application in Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is the infection caused by and constitutes a worldwide public health problem. The parasitological recommended method and serological methods can be used for the detection of eggs and antibodies, respectively. However, both have limitations, especially in low endemicity areas.

Transient chaos and periodic structures in a model of neuronal early afterdepolarization.

The presence of chaos is ubiquitous in mathematical models of neuroscience. In experimental neural systems, chaos was convincingly demonstrated in membranes, neurons, and small networks. However, its effects on the brain have long been debated.

Optimizing automated photo identification for population assessments.

Several legal acts mandate that management agencies regularly assess biological populations. For species with distinct markings, these assessments can be conducted noninvasively via capture-recapture and photographic identification (photo-ID), which involves processing considerable quantities of photographic data. To ease this burden, agencies increasingly rely on automated identification (ID) algorithms.

Silver Nanoparticles-Functionalized Textile against SARS-CoV-2: Antiviral Activity of the Capping Oleylamine Molecule.

COVID-19 disease, triggered by SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, has led to more than 7.0 million deaths worldwide, with a significant fraction of recovered infected people reporting postviral symptoms. Smart surfaces functionalized with nanoparticles are a powerful tool to inactivate the virus and prevent the further spreading of the disease.

Pre-emptive treatment for cytomegalovirus viraemia to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and death in solid organ transplant recipients. Pre-emptive treatment of patients with CMV viraemia using antiviral agents has been suggested as an alternative to routine prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2006 and updated in 2013.

Non-native species have higher consumption rates than their native counterparts.

Non-native species can be major drivers of ecosystem alteration, especially through changes in trophic interactions. Successful non-native species have been predicted to have greater resource use efficiency relative to trophically analogous native species (the Resource Consumption Hypothesis), but rigorous evidence remains equivocal. Here, we tested this proposition quantitatively in a global meta-analysis of comparative functional response studies.

Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Treated Patients: Dropout Rates From Treatment in MASH Randomised Controlled Trials.

Background: Dropout is common and affects the statistical power and randomization balance of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Aims: To estimate the dropout rate in RCTs of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and to examine factors associated with dropout in placebo-treated participants.

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for phase 2-4 MASH RCTs with placebo arms through November 24, 2024.

Comparative immunohistochemical evaluation between primary and metastatic lesion in a feline osteosarcoma - A case report.

Feline primary bone tumors are rare. Still, osteosarcoma (OSA) composes almost 80 % of malignant bone tumors in cats, affecting mostly elder feline individuals. Many differences are observed between canine and feline OSA regarding radiographic image and tumoral behavior, especially metastasis development.

Magnetic Flatness and E. Hopf's Theorem for Magnetic Systems.

Using the notion of magnetic curvature recently introduced by the first author, we extend E. Hopf's theorem to the setting of magnetic systems. Namely, we prove that if the magnetic flow on the -sphere bundle is without conjugate points, then the total magnetic curvature is non-positive, and vanishes if and only if the magnetic system is magnetically flat.

Can Contrast Injections Cause or Propagate Coronary Injuries? Insights From Vessel and Guiding Catheter Hemodynamics.

Background: The mechanistic association between the hydraulic forces generated during contrast injection and the risk of coronary injury is poorly understood. In this study, we sought to evaluate whether contrast injections increase intracoronary pressures beyond resting levels and estimate the risk of hydraulic propagation of coronary dissections.

Methods: This is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study that included patients with nonculprit, non-flow-limiting coronaries.

Global Perspectives on Returning Genetic Research Results in Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: In the era of precision medicine, genetic test results have become increasingly relevant in the care of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). While large research consortia are performing widespread research genetic testing to accelerate discoveries, debate continues about whether, and to what extent, the results should be returned to patients. Ethically, it is imperative to keep participants informed, especially when findings are potentially actionable.

Integrating biomarkers for hemostatic disorders into computational models of blood clot formation: A systematic review.

In the pursuit of personalized medicine, there is a growing demand for computational models with parameters that are easily obtainable to accelerate the development of potential solutions. Blood tests, owing to their affordability, accessibility, and routine use in healthcare, offer valuable biomarkers for assessing hemostatic balance in thrombotic and bleeding disorders. Incorporating these biomarkers into computational models of blood coagulation is crucial for creating patient-specific models, which allow for the analysis of the influence of these biomarkers on clot formation.

Cognition, physical function and life purpose in the rural elderly population: a systematic review.

Introduction: Aging in rural areas is challenging and has very specific characteristics in the way these elderly people live their old age, from the perspectives of cognition, functionality and life purpose. There is a lack of information and data in the literature on how people age in rural areas around the world. The aim of this study was to identify and describe how people age in rural areas, focusing on the following domains: cognition, physical function/functionality and life purpose.

Isoindoline-1,3-dione Derivatives as Prototypes for Anticonvulsant Drug Discovery.

Introduction: Epilepsy encompasses numerous syndromes characterized by spontaneous, intermittent, and abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Affecting about 1-2% of the population, it is estimated that approximately 30-40% of patients experience refractory epilepsy, which does not respond to traditional anticonvulsant drugs.

Aims: Therefore, developing novel, safe, and effective antiepileptic drugs remains a medical need.

Current Applications and Future Directions for Vascular Stents with Stem Cells in the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Mini-Review.

Vascular stents and stem cells have been used in high-acuity cases for many decades, particularly in cardiology. Providing the physician with another avenue of treatment, they have had a reasonable amount of success. However, there has been very little research conducted on seeding vascular stents with stem cells when treating intracranial aneurysms.

Root Development of Tomato Plants Infected by the Cacao Pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa Is Affected by Limited Sugar Availability.

Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of the witches' broom disease of cacao (Theobroma cacao), and it can infect the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) 'Micro-Tom' (MT) cultivar. Typical symptoms of infection are stem swelling and axillary shoot outgrowth, whereas reduction in root biomass is another side effect. Using infected MT, we investigated whether impaired root growth derives from hormonal imbalance or sink competition.

Characterization of Renal OAT3 and Hepatic CYP3A Activities in Pregnant Women with Acute Pyelonephritis Using the Endogenous Biomarker Cortisol and 6β-Hydroxycortisol.

This study evaluates the impact of acute pyelonephritis in pregnant women on the in vivo activity of renal OAT3 using the endogenous biomarker (EB) 6β-hydroxycortisol (6β-OHF) renal clearance (CL 6β-OHF) and AUC validated by correlating with the secretion clearance (CL) of the probe drug furosemide. Additionally, 6β-OHF formation clearance (CL 6β-OHF) as well as urinary (Ae/Ae) and plasma (AUC/AUC) ratios were also evaluated as EB for hepatic CYP3A activity. Pregnant women in their third trimester of gestation, diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis, were recruited before (pre-treatment, n = 8) and after (post-treatment, n = 8) cefuroxime treatment and resolution of acute pyelonephritis.

Advancing therapeutic frontiers in urothelial carcinoma: targeted strategies and clinical implications.

Urothelial carcinoma poses significant challenges in clinical management due to its aggressive nature and high prevalence. While most diagnoses involve localized disease, advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) often leads to short overall survival (OS). Historically, platinum-based chemotherapy has been the primary treatment for aUC, although its efficacy is limited.

Short and long-term effects of experimental varicocele.

Background: Varicocele is associated with a progressive decrease in male fertile potential, but it has yet to be determined if the duration of varicocele is associated with altered sperm functional quality.

Objectives: This experimental study investigated the time-dependent effects of varicocele on spermatogenesis, sperm parameters, and sperm functional traits.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-five mature male Wistar rats (200 ± 25 g) were included.

A Disposable Pipette Extraction-UHPLC-MS/MS Method Based on Removal of Phospholipids to Determine Anandamide, 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, Cannabidiol, and Δ-Tetrahydrocannabidiol in Plasma Samples.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main components of Cannabis sativa plants, can interact with specific cell receptors known as cannabinoid receptors (CBs). The endogenous compounds anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are CB agonists, and, alongside enzymes, they constitute the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and take part in neuromodulation. Several LC-MS/MS methods have been developed to quantify these compounds in biological matrixes, but a fast and simple method that can determine these analytes in plasma samples simultaneously is not available.

Educational interventions improve disparities in patient access to kidney transplantation: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Transplantation significantly improves the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease. Despite various educational strategies being assessed, the optimal approach to overcome barriers to kidney transplantation remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing educational interventions to improve kidney transplantation access.