Levetiracetam versus carbamazepine monotherapy in the management of pediatric focal epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Levetiracetam (LEV) and carbamazepine (CBZ) are effective monotherapies for focal epilepsy in children. However, the best drug remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing LEV and CBZ monotherapy in the management of pediatric focal epilepsy (PFE).

Draft genomes of multidrug-resistant and strains from Brazil representing novel sequence types.

Whole-genome sequencing identified three previously unidentified multilocus sequence types of (ST-12332) and (ST-12333 and ST-12663), harboring resistance genes for multiple antimicrobial classes. The sources of isolation highlight the circulation of resistance strains within animals and humans, emphasizing the need for preventive measures.

Genetic variants associated with white blood cell count amongst individuals with sickle cell disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a Mendelian disorder characterized by a point mutation in the β-globin gene that leads to sickling of erythrocytes. Several studies have shown that absolute neutrophil count is strongly associated with clinical severity of SCD, suggesting an apparent role of white blood cells (WBC) in SCD pathology. However, the mechanism by which genetic variants lead to WBC count differences in SCD patients remains unclear.

How does participation in Global Value Chains affect embodied carbon emissions in international trade? New insights from cross-country panel data analysis.

Global Value Chains (GVCs) significantly influence international trade and environmental outcomes. Despite the economic benefits of GVCs, their impact on the environment remains under-examined. This study  analyzes the effects of GVC participation (considering forward and backward positions) on total carbon emissions embodied in exports (TEEE) and imports (TEEI).

Three-Dimensional Printing in Spinal Surgery.

Objectives: Carry out an update and systematic review on the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) in spinal surgery.

Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using the PubMed database in March 2024. "Spine surgery" and "3DP" were the search terms.

Hypothyroidism alters the rhythmicity of the central clock, body temperature and metabolism: evidence of Bmal1 transcriptional regulation by T3.

In mammals, the central circadian oscillator is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis components exhibit circadian oscillation, regulated by both central clock innervation and intrinsic circadian clocks in the anterior pituitary and thyroid glands. Thyroid disorders alter the rhythmicity of peripheral clocks in a tissue-dependent response; however, whether these effects are influenced by alterations in the master clock remains unknown.

The Happy Child Program's Intersectionality: Prenatal Home Visit Frequency, Food Insecurity Risk, Symptoms of Depression, and Parental Practices in Brazilian Women Assisted during Pregnancy.

Food insecurity (FI) is a critical issue in developing countries, particularly in low-resource settings, where it can worsen women's mental health. Psychosocial factors such as low household income, limited education, multiparity, and vulnerability are linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Additionally, the family environment influences parental practices, which may impact mental health.

ACE2 Knockout Mice Are Resistant to High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in an Age-Dependent Manner.

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) presents pleiotropic actions. It hydrolyzes angiotensin I (AngI) and angiotensin II (AngII) into angiotensin-(1-9) (Ang-(1-9)) and angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)), respectively, as well as participates in tryptophan uptake in the gut and in COVID-19 infection. Our aim was to investigate the metabolic effect of ACE2 deletion in young adults and elderly mice under conditions of high calorie intake.

Salivary Molecular Spectroscopy with Machine Learning Algorithms for a Diagnostic Triage for Amelogenesis Imperfecta.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a genetic disease characterized by poor formation of tooth enamel. AI occurs due to mutations, especially in AMEL, ENAM, KLK4, MMP20, and FAM83H, associated with changes in matrix proteins, matrix proteases, cell-matrix adhesion proteins, and transport proteins of enamel. Due to the wide variety of phenotypes, the diagnosis of AI is complex, requiring a genetic test to characterize it better.

Cryoprotectant optimization for enhanced stability and transfection efficiency of pDNA-loaded ionizable lipid nanoparticles.

Advances in gene therapy, exemplified by mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, highlight the importance of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery despite challenging storage conditions. Substituting mRNA with pDNA in LNPs may enhance stability and efficacy, yet maintaining LNP stability poses challenges, particularly during freeze-drying. Cryoprotectants offer potential to mitigate destabilization, improving LNP properties and in vivo performance.

Be prepared: how does discontinuous hydration in Tabebuia heterophylla seeds induce stress tolerance in seedlings?

Discontinuous hydration and dehydration (HD) cycles refer to controlled imbibition followed by dehydration before seed germination. Here, we investigated whether the level of imbibition before HD cycles affects the physiology of Tabebuia heterophylla seeds and seedlings. Seeds were imbibed for 10 h (T1; phase I of imbibition) or 35 h (T2; phase II), dehydrated, and progressively rehydrated one to four times (HD cycles).

Chromatic processing and receptive-field structure in neurons of the anterior optic tract of the honeybee brain.

Color vision in honeybees is a well-documented perceptual phenomenon including multiple behavioral tests of trichromaticity and color opponency. Data on the combined color/space properties of high order visual neurons in the bee brain is however limited. Here we fill this gap by analyzing the activity of neurons in the anterior optic tract (AOT), a high order brain region suggested to be involved in chromatic processing.

Brief intervention protocol by telephone delivered by nurses to patients with harmful alcohol use in primary health care: A feasibility trial.

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of a brief intervention protocol by telephone performed by nurses in primary health care facilities.

Methods: A nonrandomized single-arm feasibility study was performed. The proposed intervention of this study is the Brief Intervention carried out by the nurse delivered by telephone, synchronously with alcohol users.

Isotemporal substitution analysis of time between sedentary behavior, and physical activity on sleep quality in younger adults: a multicenter study.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of replacing time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) with moderate to vigorous physical activity on sleep quality in young adults.

Methods: Multicenter cross-sectional study, carried out with students enrolled in undergraduate courses at universities in Brazil. Sleep quality was assessed using a question of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-brief) and classified as good or poor sleep quality.

Virtual Assessment of Physical Activity-Related Built Environment in Soweto, South Africa: What Is the Role of Contextual Familiarity?

Understanding how urban environments shape physical activity is critical in rapidly urbanizing countries such as South Africa. We assessed the reliability of virtual audits for characterizing urban features related to physical activity in Soweto, South Africa. We used the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes Global tool to characterize pedestrian-related features from Google Street View images in four neighborhoods of Soweto.

Evaluation of pulp chamber temperature during cementation with the preheated composite resin technique.

Statement Of Problem: The cementation technique using preheated composite resin requires high temperatures for optimal execution and may lead to increased and damaging intrapulpal temperatures. Whether the technique can lead to a temperature increase that might lead to necrosis of the pulp tissue is unclear.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the temperature variation in the pulp chamber of bovine teeth with veneer-type preparations during veneer cementation using the preheated composite resin technique.

The effect of Momordica charantia extract on sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus.

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has several biological properties including anthelmintic activity. Presented in vivo study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of M. charantia Presented in vivo study (HEMC) and its effect on animal performance, carcass characteristics and lamb meat quality in animals infected by Haemonchus contortus.