Effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone in 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT of radioiodine-refractory thyroid carcinoma: a pilot study.

Background: Radioiodine-refractory thyroid carcinomas (RAIRs) are characterized by reduced expression of sodium-iodine symporter, rising serum thyroglobulin levels, and negative whole-body radioiodine scans. Interestingly, RAIRs continue to express somatostatin receptors and can be identified with Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare lesion detectability in Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT performed with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (eTSH) levels with suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (sTSH) levels.

Comparison of time until elective intestinal resection regarding previous anti-tumor necrosis factor exposure: a Brazilian study on patients with Crohn's disease.

Background/aims: The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents seems to reduce surgical rates and delay surgical procedures in prospective trials and population-based studies in the management of Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to identify whether preoperative anti-TNF agents influence the time from diagnosis to surgery.

Methods: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with CD submitted to intestinal resections due to complications or medical therapy failure in a period of 7 years.

Schistosoma mansoni: In vivo evaluation of Phyllanthus amarus hexanic and ethanolic extracts.

Human schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma and is responsible for more than 280,000 deaths annually. Treatment for this disease relies currently on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ). Concerns regarding PZQ resistance and insensitivity of juvenile schistosomes have increased the interest in resorting to medicinal plants for alternative drug therapies.

Adalimumab and postoperative complications of elective intestinal resections in Crohn's disease: a propensity score case-matched study.

Background: data are scarce regarding the effect of preoperative Adalimumab (ADA) in postoperative complications in Crohn's disease (CD) patients.

Aim: to compare the rates of postoperative complications after intestinal resections in CD, with and without previous exposure to ADA.

Method: case-matched retrospective observational study of patients submitted to intestinal resections for CD.

The effects of an online basic life support course on undergraduate nursing students' learning.

Objectives: To describe learning outcomes of undergraduate nursing students following an online basic life support course (BLS).

Methods: An online BLS course was developed and administered to 94 nursing students. Pre- and post-tests were used to assess theoretical learning.

Induction of axial chirality in divanillin by interaction with bovine serum albumin.

Vanillin is a plant secondary metabolite and has numerous beneficial health applications. Divanillin is the homodimer of vanillin and used as a taste enhancer compound and also a promissory anticancer drug. Here, divanillin was synthesized and studied in the context of its interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA).

Efficacy of a Binuclear Cyclopalladated Compound Therapy for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Murine Model of Infection with Leishmania amazonensis and Its Inhibitory Effect on Topoisomerase 1B.

Leishmaniasis is a disease found throughout the (sub)tropical parts of the world caused by protozoan parasites of the genus. Despite the numerous problems associated with existing treatments, pharmaceutical companies continue to neglect the development of better ones. The high toxicity of current drugs combined with emerging resistance makes the discovery of new therapeutic alternatives urgent.

Intraoperative discomfort associated with the use of a rotary or reciprocating system: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The aim of this randomized, controlled, prospective clinical study was to evaluate patients' intraoperative discomfort during root canal preparations in which either multi-file rotary (Mtwo) or single-file reciprocating (Reciproc) systems were used.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-five adult patients, aged between 25 and 69 years old, with irreversible pulpitis or pulp necrosis participated in this study. Either the mesiobuccal or the distobuccal canals for maxillary molars and either the mesiobuccal or the mesiolingual canals for mandibular molars were randomly chosen to be instrumented with Mtwo multi-file rotary or Reciproc single-file reciprocating systems.

18F-Fluoride PET/CT tumor burden quantification predicts survival in breast cancer.

Purpose: In bone-metastatic breast cancer patients, there are no current imaging biomarkers to identify which patients have worst prognosis. The purpose of our study was to investigate if skeletal tumor burden determined by 18F-Fluoride PET/CT correlates with clinical outcomes and may help define prognosis throughout the course of the disease.

Results: Bone metastases were present in 49 patients.

Screening for Frailty With the FRAIL Scale: A Comparison With the Phenotype Criteria.

Background: Reliable and valid frailty screening instruments are lacking. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic properties of the FRAIL-BR with Fried's frailty phenotype (CHS), which has not been done.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of 124 older adults aged 60 or older from 2 university-based geriatric outpatient units in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Relationship between anaerobic capacity estimated using a single effort and 30-s tethered running outcomes.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between alternative anaerobic capacity method (MAODALT) and a 30-s all-out tethered running test. Fourteen male recreational endurance runners underwent a graded exercise test, a supramaximal exhaustive effort and a 30-s all-out test on different days, interspaced by 48h. After verification of data normality (Shapiro-Wilk test), the Pearson's correlation test was used to verify the association between the anaerobic estimates from the MAODALT and the 30-s all-out tethered running outputs.

Enteric Pathogens and Coinfections in Foals with and without Diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a major clinical problem affecting foals up to 3 months of age. The aim of this study was to identify enteric microorganisms involved in monoinfections and coinfections and the associated virulence factors in healthy and diarrheic foals. Diarrheic (D) ( = 56) and nondiarrheic (ND) foals ( = 60) up to three months of age were studied.

Exploring and understanding the functional role, and biochemical and structural characteristics of an acidic phospholipase A AplTx-I, purified from Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma snake venom.

Phospholipases A (PLAs) constitute a class of extensively studied toxins, isolated from snake venoms. Basic PLA isoforms mediate various toxicological effects, while the acidic isoforms generally have higher enzymatic activities, but do not promote evident toxic effects. The functions of these acidic isoforms in snake venoms are still not completely understood and more studies are needed to characterize the biological functions and diversification of acidic toxins in order to justify their abundant presence in these secretions.

Relationship between anxiety, depression and quality of life with the intensity of reflex sweating after thoracoscopic sympathectomy for treatment of primary hyperhidrosis.

Objective:: to compare the intensity of reflex sweating with the degree of anxiety and its interference in the quality of life of patients undergoing Thoracoscopic (VATS) sympathectomy in the pre- and postoperative period.

Methods:: we evaluated 54 patients with a mean age of 26 years (16-49 years) undergoing sympathectomy in the R3-R4 level. We applied two questionnaires at three different times: "Quality of life in patients with primary hyperhidrosis" and "Scale for anxiety and depression".

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibitors Did Not Influence Postoperative Morbidity After Elective Surgical Resections in Crohn's Disease.

Background: The real impact of anti-tumor necrosis alpha (TNF) therapy in postoperative complications after intestinal resections in Crohn's disease (CD) still needs to be determined.

Aims: To compare the postoperative complication rates after elective intestinal resections in CD patients, with or without previous exposure to anti-TNF therapy.

Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study, with elective intestinal resections for CD (emergency procedures were excluded).

Neonatal exposure to ethinylestradiol increases ventral prostate growth and promotes epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation in adult male gerbils.

The aim of this study was to analyse morphologically the ventral prostate of adult Mongolian gerbils exposed to ethinylestradiol (EE) during the first week of postnatal development. Lactating females received daily, by gavage, doses of 10 μg/kg of EE diluted in 100 μl of mineral oil from the 1st to 10th postnatal day of the pups (EE group). In the control group (C), the lactating females received only the vehicle.

CoaTx-II, a new dimeric Lys49 phospholipase A2 from Crotalus oreganus abyssus snake venom with bactericidal potential: Insights into its structure and biological roles.

Snake venoms are rich and intriguing sources of biologically-active molecules that act on target cells, modulating a diversity of physiological functions and presenting promising pharmacological applications. Lys49 phospholipase A2 is one of the multifunctional proteins present in these complex secretions and, although catalytically inactive, has a variety of biological activities, including cytotoxic, antibacterial, inflammatory, antifungal activities. Herein, a Lys49 phospholipase A2, denominated CoaTx-II from Crotalus oreganus abyssus, was purified and structurally and pharmacologically characterized.

Strength Training Prevents Hyperinsulinemia, Insulin Resistance, and Inflammation Independent of Weight Loss in Fructose-Fed Animals.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic, strength, and combined training on metabolic disorders induced by a fructose-rich diet. Wistar rats (120 days old) were randomized into five groups (n = 8-14): C (control diet and sedentary), F (fed the fructose-rich diet and sedentary), FA (fed the fructose-rich diet and subject to aerobic exercise), FS (fed the fructose-rich diet and subject to strength exercise), and FAS (fed the fructose-rich diet and subject to combined aerobic and strength exercises). After the 8-week experiment, glucose homeostasis, blood biochemistry, tissue triglycerides, and inflammation were evaluated and analyzed.

Bonding performance of experimental bioactive/biomimetic self-etch adhesives doped with calcium-phosphate fillers and biomimetic analogs of phosphoproteins.

Objectives: This study examined the bonding performance and dentin remineralization potential of an experimental adhesive containing calcium-phosphate (Ca/P) micro-fillers, and self-etching primers doped with phosphoprotein biomimetic analogs (polyacrylic acid-(PAA) and/or sodium trimetaphosphate-(TMP)).

Methods: Experimental self-etching primers doped with biomimetic analogs (PAA and/or TMP), and an adhesive containing Ca(2+), PO4(-3)-releasing micro-fillers (Ca/P) were formulated. Sound human dentin specimens were bonded and cut into sticks after aging (24h or 6 months) under simulated pulpal pressure (20cm H2O), and tested for microtensile bond strength (μTBS).

Cytocompatibility of calcium silicate-based sealers in a three-dimensional cell culture model.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate cytotoxic effects and cytokine production of calcium silicate-based sealers (EndoSeal, EndoSequence BC Sealer, and MTA Fillapex) using an in vitro root canal filling model and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. AH Plus as a reference was compared to contemporary calcium silicate cements regarding cell viability and cytokine production.

Material And Methods: Root canals of 30 human maxillary incisors were prepared using a single-file reciprocating technique.

Influence of apical enlargement and complementary canal preparation with the Self-Adjusting File on endotoxin reduction in retreatment cases.

Aim: To compare the effectiveness of large apical preparations and complementary canal preparation with the Self-Adjusting File (SAF) in removing endotoxins from the root canal of teeth with apical periodontitis.

Methodology: Ten single-rooted and single-canaled teeth with post-treatment apical periodontitis were selected. Endotoxin samples were taken after removal of the root filling (S1), after chemomechanical preparation (CMP) using 2.

The Role of SPECT/CT Lymphoscintigraphy and Radioguided Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Managing Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Importance: Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy (rSLNB) are techniques that could potentially benefit surgeons and pathologists in the identification of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Evidence suggests that these novel techniques lead to substantial changes in PTC management by reducing understaging and of occult lymph node (LN) metastases and optimizing neck surgery by increasing the necessity of lateral lymphadenectomy and decreasing central lymphadenectomy.

Objectives: To correlate the presence of LN metastases in PTC with clinical and pathological features using SPECT/CT and rSLNB.

Taurine Bromamine: Reactivity of an Endogenous and Exogenous Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Amino Acid Derivative.

Taurine bromamine (Tau-NHBr) is produced by the reaction between hypobromous acid (HOBr) and the amino acid taurine. There are increasing number of applications of Tau-NHBr as an anti-inflammatory and microbicidal drug for topical usage. Here, we performed a comprehensive study of the chemical reactivity of Tau-NHBr with endogenous and non-endogenous compounds.