RAGE and its ligands in breast cancer progression and metastasis.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed worldwide and the leading cause of death in women globally, according to Globocan 2020. Hence, investigating novel pathways implicated in cancer progression and metastasis could lead to the development of targeted therapies and new treatment strategies in breast cancer. Recent studies reported an interplay between the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligands, S100 protein group, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and breast cancer growth and metastasis.

The impact of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The so-called Mediterranean diet, with olive oil as a key component, is effective in reducing cardiometabolic disease risk. Olive oil consumption improves blood pressure, insulin levels and resistance, supporting heart health and glycemic control. Its phenolic compounds, including oleuropein (OLE), hydroxytyrosol (HT), and tyrosol (TYR) are hypothesized to likely contribute to these benefits.

Targeting JAK/STAT3 in glioblastoma cells using an alginate-PNIPAm molecularly imprinted hydrogel for the sustained release of ruxolitinib.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a notoriously aggressive primary brain tumor characterized by elevated recurrence rates and poor overall survival despite multimodal treatment. Local treatment strategies for GBM are safer and more effective alternatives to systemic chemotherapy, directly tackling residual cancer cells in the resection cavity by circumventing the blood-brain barrier. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are promising drug delivery systems due to their high-affinity binding cavities that enable tailored release kinetics.

A comprehensive review of structure-function correlations in age-related macular degeneration: Contributions of microperimetry.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and irreversible blindness worldwide. High-resolution imaging techniques have been pivotal in characterizing the morphological alterations in the retina and in identifying structural biomarkers with prognostic significance. In clinical practice, visual function is primarily assessed through visual acuity testing, which, however, does not completely reflect the functional deficits experienced by patients.

Does Perfectionism Affect Parental Identity Development? A One-Year Longitudinal Study.

Introduction: Previous studies have revealed that perfectionism and identity development during adolescence are related. However, no longitudinal study has been conducted on the impact of perfectionism on identity development in adulthood. In the present study, we analyzed for the first time the longitudinal relationship between personal standards, an indicator of perfectionistic strivings, and concern over mistakes and doubts about actions, indicators of perfectionist concerns, and identity development in one of the most important yet least understood domains for adults, parental identity.

The effect of a general practitioner's perception of a patient request for antibiotics on antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: secondary analysis of a point prevalence audit survey in 18 European countries.

Background: Illness severity, comorbidity, fever, age and symptom duration influence antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTI). Non-medical determinants, such as patient expectations, also impact prescribing.

Aim: To quantify the effect of general practitioners' (GPs') perception of a patient request for antibiotics on antibiotic prescribing for RTI and investigate effect modification by medical determinants and country.

Alkenyl pheromones: Raman spectroscopic analysis, DFT modeling, and machine learning for stereoisomerism evaluation.

Alkenyl pheromones are a class of insect sex pheromones that are characterized by the presence of one or more double bonds, which can be either in the E(trans) or Z(cis) configuration. This structural variation is essential in mating, as it influences reproductive behavior and provides a potential method for insect control. As a base for rapid and in-situ screening of synthetic pheromones or pheromone-based products, this study explores the potential of Raman spectroscopy to differentiate between the two geometrical isomers, E(trans) and Z(cis), of the alkenyl pheromones.

qEEG Neuromarkers of Complex Childhood Trauma in Adolescents.

Complex childhood trauma (CCT) involves prolonged exposure to severe interpersonal stressors, leading to deficits in executive functioning and self-regulation during adolescence, a critical period for neurodevelopment. While qEEG parameters, particularly alpha oscillations, have been proposed as potential biomarkers for trauma, empirical documentation in developmental samples is limited. .

Plasma Proteomic Signature as a Predictor of Age Advancement in People Living With HIV.

Due to the increased burden of non-AIDS-related comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLHIV), identifying biomarkers and mechanisms underlying premature aging and the risk of developing age-related comorbidities is a priority. Evidence suggests that the plasma proteome is an accurate source for measuring biological age and predicting age-related clinical outcomes. To investigate whether PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) exhibit a premature aging phenotype, we profiled the plasma proteome of two independent cohorts of virally suppressed PLHIV (200HIV and 2000HIV) and one cohort of people without HIV (200FG) using O-link technology.

Free vascularized fibula transfer in single- or double-barrel technique for reconstruction of segmental bone defects following oncological resection or posttraumatic bone loss.

Background: Significant osseous defects or osteonecrosis, precipitated by open fractures, infections, or neoplastic conditions, represent infrequent yet critical medical conditions. The free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG) is a challenging but straightforward, reliable surgical intervention for the reconstruction of defects across various anatomical regions. This study aims to compare, quantify, and demonstrate the FVFG's versatility.

Fine tuning enzyme activity assays for monitoring the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET.

Efficient monitoring of the enzymatic PET-hydrolysis is crucial for developing novel plastic-degrading biocatalysts. Herein, we aimed to upgrade in terms of accuracy the analytical methods useful for monitoring enzymatic PET-degradation. For the HPLC-based assessment, the incorporation of an internal standard within the analytic procedure enabled a more accurate quantification of the overall TPA content and the assessment of molar distributions and relative content of each aromatic degradation product.

Feeding sources of mosquitoes in Galapagos Islands: A potential threat to wildlife conservation.

Vector-borne diseases pose significant threats to both human and animal health, including wildlife, particularly in vulnerable island ecosystems like the Galapagos Islands. This study examines the mosquito community composition around domestic dogs and Galapagos sea lion rookeries across four islands: San Cristobal, Isabela, Santa Cruz, and Floreana. Using BG-Sentinel traps, a total of 292 mosquitoes were collected, identifying three species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and A.

Essential and Nonessential Elements, Lipids and Volatile Compounds in Coffee and Transfer to Coffee Brews: Assessment of the Benefits and Potential Risks for Human Health.

Coffee is a popular beverage with significant commercial and social importance. The study aimed to determine the fatty acids profile, volatile compounds, and concentration of major and trace elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb) in the two most important varieties of coffee, namely arabica and robusta. The leaching percentages of mineral elements and the effect of boiling time on the transfer of elements to aqueous extracts were also determined.

Deep learning segmentation architectures for automatic detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy samples based on whole-slide imaging.

Background: EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Nevertheless, the samples obtained are small and require expertise in pathology, whereas the diagnosis is difficult in view of the scarcity of malignant cells and the important desmoplastic reaction of these tumors. With the help of artificial intelligence, the deep learning architectures produce a fast, accurate, and automated approach for PDAC image segmentation based on whole-slide imaging.

Protocol for the development of a global core outcome set for the surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer: a literature review and international Delphi survey.

Introduction: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), partly due to inconsistent reporting of outcomes. This limits the ability to compare study results, hindering the ability to draw conclusions regarding novel treatment strategies. The development of a core outcome set (COS) reduces heterogeneity in the selection and reporting of clinical trial outcomes.

Dietary Disruptors in Romania: Seasonality, Traditions, and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The global rise in obesity has been significantly influenced by shifts in dietary habits that have been exacerbated by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in Romanian dietary habits from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of socio-economic factors, seasonality, and cultural practices.

Methods: For dietary habits, we used nationally representative data from the Romanian Household Budget Survey provided by the Romanian National Institute of Statistics.

Sarcopenia in MASLD-Eat to Beat Steatosis, Move to Prove Strength.

The connections between sarcopenia and various chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and liver disease have been highlighted recently. There is also a high occurrence of sarcopenia in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients, who are often disregarded. Both experimental and clinical findings suggest a complex, bidirectional relationship between MASLD and sarcopenia.

Effects of a L. Extract and Rosmarinic Acid in Improving Streptozotocin-Induced Aortic Tissue Damages in Rats.

Background/aim: L. () is an aromatic medicinal species with important nutraceutical potential, having rosmarinic acid (RA) as one of its main metabolites. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of an extract obtained from the leaves of this species and of its main metabolite in improving the streptozotocin-induced damage of hearts and aorta of diabetic rats.

The Impact of Hypomagnesemia on the Long-Term Evolution After Kidney Transplantation.

Background/objectives: Magnesium plays a crucial role in immune function, influencing immunoglobulin synthesis, antibody-dependent cytolysis, and other immune processes. In renal transplant patients, magnesium deficiency is primarily induced by calcineurin inhibitor treatment, through the reduction of magnesium transporter proteins in the renal tubules, leading to magnesium loss.

Methods: To assess the correlation between serum magnesium levels and the long-term outcomes of renal graft and transplant recipients, we conducted a retrospective study on 87 patients who have had a transplant for more than 5 years, a period considered immunologically stable.

The Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Blossoms and Rhizome Ethanol Extracts.

Background: Inflammation-induced oxidative stress is a pathophysiological mechanism of inflammatory diseases. Treatments targeting oxidative stress can reduce inflammatory tissue damage.

Objectives: This study aimed to conduct phytochemical analysis and evaluate the antioxidant effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of blossoms () and rhizomes ().

Utilisation of Rosehip Waste Powder as a Functional Ingredient to Enrich Waffle Cones with Fibres, Polyphenols, and Carotenoids.

The solid waste generated from processing rosehip fruits into jam is valuable due to its rich content in fibres, polyphenols, and carotenoids; it could be valorised as a functional ingredient in a powder form to enrich food products. This study aimed to test its potential as a value-added ingredient, especially to enrich waffle cones with fibres, polyphenols, and carotenoids. In this regard, four formulations of waffle cones were prepared by partially substituting wheat flour with rosehip waste powder at 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, reaching concentrations of 0%, 3.

Mustard Meal Extract as an Alternative to Zinc Oxide for Protecting the Intestinal Barrier Against -Lipopolysaccharide Damage.

The present study aimed to investigate the ability of an aqueous extract derived from mustard seed meal to counteract the effects of endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the intestinal epithelium. Caco-2 cells were cultured together with HT29-MTX and used as a cellular model to analyze critical intestinal parameters, such as renewal, integrity, innate immunity, and signaling pathway. Byproducts of mustard seed oil extraction are rich in soluble polysaccharides, proteins, allyl isothiocyanates, and phenolic acids, which are known as powerful antioxidants with antimicrobial and antifungal properties.