Performance of Culture Using a Semi-Automatic Needle as a Novel Tool for Collecting Lymph Node Samples for the Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by () and dogs are the main domestic reservoir. This study compared the performance of parasitological tests using semi-automatic needle puncture (SANP) for collecting popliteal lymph node samples with samples collected from the same lymph node by fine needle aspiration puncture (FNAP) and by necropsy for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Popliteal lymph node samples were collected from 30 CVL-seropositive dogs from an endemic region in Brazil.

Double cycling with breath-stacking during partial support ventilation in ARDS: Just a feature of natural variability?

Background: Double cycling with breath-stacking (DC/BS) during controlled mechanical ventilation is considered potentially injurious, reflecting a high respiratory drive. During partial ventilatory support, its occurrence might be attributable to physiological variability of breathing patterns, reflecting the response of the mode without carrying specific risks.

Methods: This secondary analysis of a crossover study evaluated DC/BS events in hypoxemic patients resuming spontaneous breathing in cross-over under neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), proportional assist ventilation (PAV +), and pressure support ventilation (PSV).

Relating ecological diversity to genetic discontinuity across bacterial species.

Background: Genetic discontinuity represents abrupt breaks in genomic identity among species. Advances in genome sequencing have enhanced our ability to track and characterize genetic discontinuity in bacterial populations. However, exploring the degree to which bacterial diversity exists as a continuum or sorted into discrete and readily defined species remains a challenge in microbial ecology.

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.

Ethnobiology! Until when will the colonialist legacy be reinforced?

In this essay, we will present arguments for a negative answer to the debate question: "Is publishing ethnobiology data respectful of Indigenous and Local Knowledge holders' rights?" We recognize that ethnobiological research has advanced in recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), but we believe that we still have a long way to go in deconstructing colonialism in ethnobiology. In order to be truly respectful, ethnobiologists need to collaborate with IPLC to achieve an ethical science with equity between knowledge systems, fostering the co-production of knowledge from an intercultural science perspective. This essay was written by a group of Brazilian scientists, both IPLC and non-IPLC, and reflects a perspective of the academic universe seen from the place we are, in this multicultural and imbalanced world.

Surgical strategies for recurrent hiatal hernia: three-point fundoplication fixation.

Background: The management of a recurrent (symptomatic) hiatal hernia remains controversial. This study aimed to review the outcomes of patients who underwent recurrent repair of hiatal hernias.

Methods: Thirteen patients who underwent recurrent hiatal hernia repairs at our hospital between 2018 and 2024 were reviewed retrospectively.

Microvascular decompression: a contemporary update.

Background: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for cranial nerve compression disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). This review synthesizes historical milestones, recent advances, and evolving techniques in MVD, with a primary focus on these conditions.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, BioMed Central, Scopus, and ScienceDirect.

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.

Comparison of Muscle Growth and Dynamic Strength Adaptations Induced by Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, great debate exists over the proposed superiority of some resistance exercises to induce muscular adaptations. For example, some argue that unilateral exercise (meaning one limb at a time) is superior to bilateral exercises (meaning both limbs). Of note, an evidence-based answer to this question is yet to be determined, particularly regarding muscle hypertrophy.

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.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Megachile sculpturalis Smith (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Megachilidae).

Megachile sculpturalis Smith, 1853 native to East Asia, is an important solitary bee species that has invaded both Europe and the United States. This study provides the first chromosome-level genome assembly of M. sculpturalis using a combination of Nanopore long reads, Illumina short reads, and Hi-C data.

Finding the balance: Advancing strategies for managing severely calcified coronary lesions.

This letter to the editor provides a critical and constructive analysis of the article "Intravascular Lithotripsy Compared with Rotational Atherectomy for Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Meta-analysis of Outcomes", highlighting key methodological limitations and the exclusion of relevant contemporary studies. It emphasizes the clinical importance of addressing severely calcified coronary lesions, a significant challenge in interventional cardiology, and advocates for future research to prioritize randomized clinical trials, subgroup analyses, and cost-effectiveness evaluations to improve the applicability of findings across healthcare settings. By promoting dialogue within the scientific community and encouraging the integration of evolving data, the letter aims to refine clinical strategies and align them with evidence-based public health approaches, particularly in resource-limited environments.

Guidance on biomaterials for periodontal tissue regeneration: Fabrication methods, materials and biological considerations.

Regeneration of the multiple tissues and interfaces in the periodontal complex necessitates multidisciplinary evaluation to establish structure/function relationships. This article, an initiative of the Academy of Dental Materials, provides guidance for performing chemical, structural, and mechanical characterization of materials for periodontal tissue regeneration, and outlines important recommendations on methods of testing bioactivity, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties of biomaterials/scaffolds for periodontal tissue engineering. First, we briefly summarize periodontal tissue engineering fabrication methods.

The α-synuclein seed amplification assay: Interpreting a test of Parkinson's pathology.

The α-synuclein seed amplification assay (αSyn-SAA) sensitively detects Lewy pathology, the amyloid state of α-synuclein, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The αSyn-SAA harnesses the physics of seeding, whereby a superconcentrated solution of recombinant α-synuclein lowers the thermodynamic threshold (nucleation barrier) for aggregated α-synuclein to act as a nucleation catalyst ("seed") to trigger the precipitation (nucleation) of monomeric α-synuclein into pathology. This laboratory setup increases the signal for identifying a catalyst if one is present in the tissue examined.

Chrononutrition patterns and their association with body weight: Differences across multiple chronotypes.

Introduction: In recent years, the focus of research on obesity and its management has expanded beyond traditional dietary factors to include the timing of food intake - in relation to the body's circadian rhythms - known as chrononutrition. However, chrononutrition patterns remain largely unexplored in low-medium income countries. Our study aimed to investigate the association between chrononutrition patterns and BMI.

Reducing hyperuricemic events with SGLT2 inhibitors: An updated systematic review with meta-regression.

Introduction: Although sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were shown to lower hyperuricemic events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the extent of this effect in the general population is yet to be elucidated. We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on a large sample of patients with and without T2DM to evaluate the influence of SGLT2i therapy on clinically relevant hyperuricemic events, defined as the composite of acute gout flare episodes, acute anti-gout management or urate-lowering therapy initiation. Furthermore, we conducted a multivariate meta-regression to assess the relationship between different covariates and the pooled effect size.

The Use of Glycan Ensemble Structures and Nonpolar Surface Area Distributions for Correlating with Liquid Chromatography Retention Times.

The separation and structural identification of glycans are of great bioanalytical importance. To obtain a good understanding of the structural flexibility of glycans, replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations were used based on AMBER force field calculations to create ensembles of glycan structures. Nonpolar surface area (NPSA) calculations based on continuum solvation (CS) models (Dhakal, R.

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.