Saint Paul, the Apostle, and the Gastaut-Geschwind syndrome.

The interface between epilepsy and religiosity has been a long-standing matter of debate. Epilepsy has affected several religious leaders throughout history. Hyperreligiosity may be observed in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy as a component of the so-called Gastaut-Geschwind syndrome which involves other behavioral and personality traits such as hyposexuality, viscosity, philosophical concerns, sense of personal destiny, hypergraphy, emotionality, and irritability.

Herbal Medicine in Three Different Mediterranean Living Areas During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Polyphenolic-Rich Thyme-like Plants.

Despite herbal medicine being popular across the Mediterranean basin, there is no evidence in favor of COVID-19 infection. This study investigates the utilization and effects of medicinal plants in Italy, Lebanon, and Tunisia during COVID-19 and its effects on post-COVID-19 pandemics. We used a tailored, web-based "Google Form" questionnaire with the random sampling method.

[Activity of internal medicine services in the surgical area in Argentina].

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the organization of healthcare activity of internal medicine (IM) services in the surgical area of general acute care hospitals in Argentina.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was performed between 03/01/19-05/01/19. A web survey about shared care (SC) and internal medicine consultations (IMC) was implemented.

[Experience of a Rapid Diagnostic and Short Stay Unit implemented in Argentina].

Introduction: Rapid diagnostic units (RDUs) represent an alternative to conventional hospitalization diagnosis, enabling outpatient care for patients with suspected potentially severe disease. The first year of operation of a Rapid Diagnostic and Short Stay Unit (RDSSU) is described.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study involving 696 patients, documenting 739 events defined as each patient's entry into the RDU for specific reasons.

Risk factors associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in severe COVID-19 patients: a casecontrol study.

Introduction: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) have been described. Possible risk factors for the development of this condition have been proposed, although evidence in Latin American populations is limited. The objectives were to identify risk factors for the development of CAPA and describe the characteristics of this infection.

Pharmacologic Treatment of Obesity in adults and its impact on comorbidities: 2024 Update and Position Statement of Specialists from the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (Abeso) and the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM).

Pharmacological treatment of obesity is passing through many changes in the last decades; different agents have been approved, and newer options are leaning towards higher efficacy and a more favourable safety profile; however, medications approved for a longer time are still available and useful for many patients. This document is an 2024 Update Position Statement of Specialists from the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (Abeso) and the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM), with the aim of reviewing all the approved medications for the management of obesity in Brazil (sibutramine, orlistat, liraglutide, semaglutide and bupropion/naltrexone fixed dose), with the addition of tirzepatide, that is approved in other countries and likely approved soon in Brazil. The review is focused on efficacy, safety profile and the impact of drugs (based on existing studies) on different comorbidities.

Potential protective role of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3) in COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a quest to understand why certain individuals remain uninfected or asymptomatic despite repetitive exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we focused on six exposed females residing with their symptomatic and reinfected SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive COVID-19 partners. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from couples were analysed for poly (I:C)-induced mRNA expression of type I/III interferons and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs).

Daratumumab or Active Monitoring for High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Daratumumab, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, has been approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Data are needed regarding the use of daratumumab for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, a precursor disease of active multiple myeloma for which no treatments have been approved.

Methods: In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma to receive either subcutaneous daratumumab monotherapy or active monitoring.

Habitual coffee consumption and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the PAMELA hypertensive population.

Background And Aims: Evidence has been provided that in the normotensive population chronic coffee consumption does not adversely affect cardiovascular and total mortality. Whether and to what extent this is the case also in high risk cardiovascular patients such as those with elevated blood pressure (BP) is largely debated.

Methods And Results: We analyzed data collected in 943 hypertensive patients belonging to the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni (PAMELA) study, which were classified as coffee consumers and non-consumers (self report).

Cleaving the way for heterologous peptide production: An overview of cleavage strategies.

One of the main bottlenecks for recombinant peptide production is choosing the proper cleavage method to remove fusion protein tags from target peptides. While these tags are crucial for inhibiting the activity of the target peptide during heterologous expression, incorporating a cleavage site is essential for their later removal, ensuring the pure sequencing of the peptide. This review evaluates different cleavage methods, including protease-mediated, self-cleavable protein, and chemical-mediated sites, regarding their advantages and limitations.

Operative Treatment of Nonprimary Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review.

Background: Nonprimary osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) pose a significant challenge in orthopaedics, with no definitive consensus on optimal surgical treatment.

Purpose: To consolidate the most recent evidence on operative treatments for nonprimary OLT by assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs), postoperative complications, and clinical failures.

Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Expert consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic non-bacterial osteitis (CNO) in adults.

Background: There is considerable practice variation in labelling, diagnosis and treatment of adults with sterile bone inflammation. We developed a expert consensus recommendations on the disease definition, diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Methods: Systematic literature review and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations-based appraisal of evidence, two Delphi surveys and three digital and in-person consensus meetings with a multidisciplinary expert panel and patient representatives.

Unraveling the Role of the Human Gut Microbiome in Health and Diseases.

The human gut is a complex ecosystem that supports billions of living species, including bacteria, viruses, archaea, phages, fungi, and unicellular eukaryotes. Bacteria give genes and enzymes for microbial and host-produced compounds, establishing a symbiotic link between the external environment and the host at both the gut and systemic levels. The gut microbiome, which is primarily made up of commensal bacteria, is critical for maintaining the healthy host's immune system, aiding digestion, synthesizing essential nutrients, and protecting against pathogenic bacteria, as well as influencing endocrine, neural, humoral, and immunological functions and metabolic pathways.