New biomarkers in scorpion stings.

Scorpion stings have a fatality rate of 0.16%, with the majority of deaths occurring in children. The resources currently available for diagnosing cardiac dysfunction caused by scorpion stings, the most common cause of death, are echocardiograms and laboratory tests, such as troponin, creatine phosphokinase-MB (CKMB), and Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Excipients in drug delivery systems: A comprehensive review of approved inactive ingredients for human ophthalmic formulations.

Pharmaceutical excipients, commonly known as inactive ingredients, encompass any substance aside from the active ingredient that fulfills a distinct and vital role in a formulation. Their purpose is to enhance specific characteristics, whether associated with the performance of the formulation or aspects related to patient comfort, safety, and acceptability. Because of the limited toxicity studies provided, and the several allergic and toxic side effects that have been reported throughout the years, it is not trivial for the regulatory agencies to approve inactive ingredients for human use.

Deletion of and genes in serovars induces a comparable immune response to wild-type infection in different chicken lineages.

It was previously reported that utilization of tetrathionate and 1,2-propanediol by spp. through the metabolic pathways encoded by and operons are related to overgrowth and out-competing microbiota in an anaerobic environment. However, recent knowledge demonstrated which strains in the absence of and genes provoke both higher intestinal colonization and spreading bacteria on faeces in relation to their respective wild-type strain, and generate more prominent inflammation as well.

Non-linear interactions of lower limb clinical measures associated with asymptomatic Achilles tendon pathology in ballet dancers.

Context: Tendon abnormalities on imaging are commonly observed in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy. Those abnormalities can also be present in asymptomatic individuals, which is an important risk factor for developing tendon symptoms. Ballet dancers are particularly vulnerable due to the high loads placed on their Achilles tendons.

Xenographic lenticule implantation followed by riboflavin and UV treatment: A promising alternative for corneal ectasias management.

The cornea is the primary refracting surface of the eye, requiring precise curvature to ensure optimal vision. Any distortion in its shape may result in significant visual impairment. Corneal ectasias, such as keratoconus (KC), is characterized by gradual thinning and protrusion of the thinned area, due to biomechanical weakening of the tissue, leading to astigmatism and vision loss.

Influence of core material and occlusal contact pattern on fatigue behavior of different monolithic ceramic crowns.

This study evaluated the effect of substrate core materials and occlusal contact patterns on the fatigue mechanical behavior and stress distribution of single-unit ceramic crowns. One hundred and twenty monolithic crowns were fabricated from zirconia (YZ - IPS e.max ZirCAD, Ivoclar), lithium disilicate (LD - IPS e.

Pre-trained artificial intelligence-aided analysis of nanoparticles using the segment anything model.

Complex structures can be understood as compositions of smaller, more basic elements. The characterization of these structures requires an analysis of their constituents and their spatial configuration. Examples can be found in systems as diverse as galaxies, alloys, living tissues, cells, and even nanoparticles.

Guidance on the assessment of the functionality of biomaterials for periodontal tissue regeneration: Methodologies and testing procedures.

Innovative biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies show great promise in regenerating periodontal tissues. This guidance provides an overview and detailed recommendations for evaluating the biological functionality of these new biomaterials in vitro, focusing on mineralization, immunomodulatory effects, cellular differentiation, and angiogenesis. Additionally, it discusses the use of in vivo experimental models that mimic periodontitis and scrutinizes methods such as osteogenic differentiation, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory responses to assess the effectiveness of these biomaterials in promoting periodontal tissue reconstruction.

Risk of sarcopenia: A red flag for cognitive decline in postmenopause?

Objective: To determine if the SARC-F tool, used to screen for sarcopenia risk, can also predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool.

Methods: This is a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional study carried out in postmenopausal women from Latin America (nine countries) in which sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected, and the SARC-F and MoCA tools administered. From the original sample of 1185 women, analysis was performed only among the 772 with natural menopause.

Experimental setup for labyrinth seals: Pressure, temperature, mass flow rate, rotation velocity, and pressure drop simultaneous measurement.

Labyrinth seals (LSs) in turbomachinery are used to minimize leaks. This study presents an experimental setup designed to test and validate LS designs. The test bench (TB) described in this paper can evaluate different LS designs obtained through various methods to find better solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Single and multilevel decompression alone in patients with multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a prevalent degenerative condition characterized by lower back pain, intermittent claudication, and radicular leg pain. It ranks as one of the primary indications of spinal surgery in patients aged 65 and older. In this study, we aim to compare single-level and multilevel approaches for decompression alone in LSS considering the incidence of complications, reduction in pain score, and rates of surgical revisions.

Situational Analysis of the Medication Practices in Brazilian Hospitals: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: To carry out a situational analysis of the medication practices in Brazilian hospitals through the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals and the factors associated with better performance in the evaluation.

Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study in which the results of the application of the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals, between 2015 and 2020, in 30 Brazilian hospitals were described. In addition, whether the institutional profile was associated with higher self-assessment scores (better performance in the evaluation) was also evaluated.

Whole-Cell Thermal Sensor for the Detection of -Infected Erythrocytes: Imprinted Polymers as Synthetic Receptors for the Detection of Malaria.

Malaria is a major public healthcare concern worldwide, representing a leading cause of death in specific regions. The gold standard for diagnosis is microscopic analysis, but this requires a laboratory setting, trained staff, and infrastructure and is therefore typically slow and dependent on the experience of the technician. This study introduces, for the first time, a biomimetic sensing platform for the direct detection of the disease.

Pyrazinyl-Substituted Aminoazoles as Covalent Inhibitors of Thrombin: Synthesis, Structure, and Anticoagulant Properties.

This study presents a novel series of -acylated 1,2,4-triazol-5-amines and 1-pyrazol-5-amines, featuring a pyrazin-2-yl moiety, developed as covalent inhibitors of thrombin. These compounds demonstrated potent inhibitory activity, with derivatives and achieving IC values as low as 0.7 and 0.

Are YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos useful as educational tool for patients with cleft lip and palate?

Objective: To evaluate the quality of YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos as educational tools for patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) as regards their care, and multidisciplinary treatment.

Methods: Videos were searched on YouTube™ and TikTok™ using four keywords. The reliability and quality of the first 60 videos for each keyword and platform were analyzed.

Design, Synthesis, and Unprecedented Interactions of Covalent Dipeptide-Based Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and Its Variants Displaying Potent Antiviral Activity.

The main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 is a key drug target for the development of antiviral therapeutics. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of small-molecule peptidomimetics with various cysteine-reactive electrophiles. Several compounds were identified as potent SARS-CoV-2 M inhibitors, including compounds (IC = 0.

Clinical management of hereditary gingival fibromatosis: Case report with 13 years follow-up.

Background: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is one of the categories of non-plaque-induced gingival diseases of genetic origin. Current studies show high genetic heterogeneity and suggest that not all forms of HGF are the same and that more than one biological mechanism may result in gingival growth. This report presents a case of syndromic HGF with generalized and complex clinical manifestations associated with other conditions such as body hypertrichosis and hearing deficit.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of optic nerve sheath diameter in patients severe traumatic brain injury: a comparison with intraparenchymal pressure monitoring.

Objective: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can worsen the clinical condition of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. One non-invasive and easily bedside-performed technique to estimate ICP is ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). This study aimed to analyze ONSD and correlate it with ICP values obtained by intraparenchymal monitoring to establish the ONSD threshold value for elevated ICP and reference range of ONSD in severe TBI patients.

Prevalence of complications of buccal fat removal: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Removal of the buccal fat pad can be considered safe as long as there is a detailed analysis of anatomical landmarks. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of intra- and postoperative complications resulting from buccal fat pad removal through a systematic review. The search strategy involved observational and/or interventional studies in humans that included at least one case of buccal fat pad removal with a description of the surgery, postoperative progress, and complications.

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.

Comparison of the adequacies of the OSCE and vOSCE to assess the competencies required under Brazilian medical curriculum guidelines: a multicenter study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the popularization of information and communication technology in medical education. This study aimed to compare the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and the virtual objective structured clinical examination (vOSCE), based on expert opinion, as tools for assessing the competencies needed under medical curriculum guidelines in Brazil.

Methods: In this multicenter study, the suitability levels of the OSCE and vOSCE for assessing the competencies needed under the Brazilian National Curriculum Guidelines (DCNs) were compared.

Dysregulated autoantibodies targeting AGTR1 are associated with the accumulation of COVID-19 symptoms.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a wide spectrum of symptoms, the causes of which remain poorly understood. This study explored the associations between autoantibodies (AABs), particularly those targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and renin‒angiotensin system (RAS) molecules, and the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Using a cross-sectional analysis of 244 individuals, we applied multivariate analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and multinomial regression to examine the relationships between AAB levels and key symptoms.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer brain metastases: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

Background: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has shown promising activity in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. In this updated meta-analysis, we explore the effectiveness of T-DXd in a large subset of patients with HER2-positive BC and CNS disease.

Methods: A systematic search was made on September 16th, 2024, for studies investigating T-DXd in the scenario of HER2-positive BC and brain metastases (BMs) and/or leptomeningeal disease (LMD).