Fad diets for non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients: Can "the miracle diet" be a threat?

In the pursuit of an effortless "miracle cure", there has been a significant increase in the proliferation of fad diets. These diets generally exclude a food group or macronutrients and may also restrict energy intake; they become popular quickly but often lack substantial scientific evidence to support their efficacy and safety. They only show short-term results rather than promoting a lifestyle change.

Advances in the estimation of body fat percentage using an artificial intelligence 2D-photo method.

There is a growing need to evaluate the agreement between the field methods and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) using two-dimensional (2D) photos for enhanced real-world analysis. This study evaluated the agreement between AI-2D photos and the clinical reference method, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to estimate the body fat percentage (BFP). Other methods were also investigated, including skinfolds, A-mode ultrasound, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Exploring the availability and accessibility of menstrual friendly public toilets (MFPTs) in urban spaces: A global multi-city audit study.

Background: Public toilets enable populations, including those who menstruate, to move through public spaces. Menstrual Friendly Public Toilets (MFPT) are accessible, safe, and clean public toilets that provide those who menstruate the space and resources to navigate cities with dignity and comfort. However, there is little evidence on the status of MFPTs in urban centers.

Investigating polychlorinated alkanes in technical chlorinated paraffin mixtures and polymer products available in Vietnam.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are chemical additives mostly composed of polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs) which may impact on the environment and human health; however, little is known about their presence in Southeast Asia. To fill this knowledge gap, we assessed 74 PCA homolog groups commonly referred to as short-chain (SCCPs: PCAs-C), medium-chain (MCCPs: PCAs-C), and long-chain CPs (LCCPs: PCAs-C) in technical CP mixtures (n = 4) and polymer samples (n = 49), including recycled plastics, collected in Vietnam in 2023. The contents of measured PCA homolog groups in technical CP mixtures were 86,000-930,000 mg/kg for PCAs-C; 85,000-990,000 mg/kg for PCAs-C; and 23,000-180,000 mg/kg for PCAs-C.

Inherent differential microbial assemblages and functions associated with corals exhibiting different thermal phenotypes.

Certain coral individuals exhibit enhanced resistance to thermal bleaching, yet the specific microbial assemblages and their roles in these phenotypes remain unclear. We compared the microbial communities of thermal bleaching-resistant (TBR) and thermal bleaching-sensitive (TBS) corals using metabarcoding and metagenomics. Our multidomain approach revealed stable distinct microbial compositions between thermal phenotypes.

Exploring the Potential Use of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics as Adjuvants for Modulating the Vaginal Microbiome: a Bibliometric Review.

Women's health is related to several factors that include physical, mental, and reproductive health. Additionally, the vaginal microbiota modulation performs a fundamental role in the regulation of physiological homeostasis and dysbiosis, which provides us a potential overview of the use of different biotic agents and their implications for female health. The objective of this work was propitiated insights and conception about the influence of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as adjuvants for prevention/treatment on the main infections that can affect women's health.

Predictive model for the determination of the hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) content in HVO/fossil diesel blends using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis.

Low-carbon fuels, emitting less carbon than fossil fuels, are proposed to help in the transition to a sustainable, decarbonized transport sector. The new biofuels being studied and developed in this context include hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO). Its chemical composition, which is the same as fossil diesel (primarily composed of linear chain hydrocarbons C12-C24), makes HVO (more homogeneous mixtures of paraffinic hydrocarbons C10-C20, containing no sulfur or aromatics) a fuel with slightly lower density than fossil diesel due to these characteristics.

Detrimental effects of chronic sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drink consumption on inflammatory response and the size of apical periodontitis: An animal-based study.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic consumption of two sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drinks - one containing caffeine (Coca-Cola®) and one without (Sprite®) - on the progression of periapical lesions and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats.

Methodology: Twelve Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 4): Control group, Coca-Cola group and Sprite group. The rats in Coca-Cola and Sprite groups were given ad libitum access to their respective soft drinks for 3 months, while the Control group received filtered water.

Orthodontic retainers: are they all the same?

Introduction: It is known that the stability of the results obtained with orthodontic treatment depends, in addition to the functional and aesthetic aspects, also on the adequate planning of the retention devices, the patient's compliance with this new phase, and the physiological changes that the human body experiences over the years, throughout the craniofacial aging process.

Objective: This article discusses the importance of the orthodontic retention phase and the influence of diagnosis, planning and execution of corrective treatment of malocclusions, in order to achieve the expected success.

Methods: Throughout the text, different types of retainers and approaches during this phase will be presented, with the aim of ensuring the stability of the results obtained after correcting problems in the vertical, transverse and anteroposterior directions.

Serum metabolome indicators of early childhood development in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

The role of circulating metabolites on child development is understudied. We investigated associations between children's serum metabolome and early childhood development (ECD). Untargeted metabolomics was performed on serum samples of 5,004 children aged 6-59 months, a subset of participants from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

Enhanced UV-B photoprotection activity of carotenoids from the novel sp. strain LAPM80 isolated from King George Island, Antarctica.

Antarctica's harsh environmental conditions, characterized by high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, pose challenges for microorganisms. To survive in these extreme cold regions with heightened UV exposure, microorganisms employ various adaptive strategies, including photoprotective carotenoid synthesis. Carotenoids are garnering attention in the skin health industry because of their UV photoprotection potential, given the direct relationship between UV exposure and skin burns, and cancer.

100 Years of Insulin: A Historical Perspective.

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, has increased dramatically in recent years, prompting the need for more affordable diagnoses and treatments.

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a brief historical and theoretical review on the development of insulin.

Methods: Scientific and technological data have been retrieved and analyzed with a focus on the development of the active pharmaceutical ingredient insulin and insulin-based medicines.

Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Treated Patients: Dropout Rates From Treatment in MASH Randomised Controlled Trials.

Background: Dropout is common and affects the statistical power and randomization balance of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Aims: To estimate the dropout rate in RCTs of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and to examine factors associated with dropout in placebo-treated participants.

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for phase 2-4 MASH RCTs with placebo arms through November 24, 2024.

Understanding and addressing a 'difficult' family in ICU.

Conflicts between ICU staff and patient/relatives are common and are a source of additional stress in an already tense environment. These conflicts vary from disagreements to serious controversies, which may lead to legal process or even violence. Unsuccessful communication is recognised as a common denominator for such disagreements.

Staphylococcus aureus: Dynamics of pathogenicity and antimicrobial-resistance in hospital and community environments - Comprehensive overview.

This study reviews Staphylococcus aureus, a significant pathogen in both hospital and community-acquired infections, addressing its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and antimicrobial resistance. It highlights virulence mechanisms, such as adhesion factors, toxins, enzymes, and biofilms, which contribute to survival and immune evasion. The spread of resistance occurs through the transfer of mobile genetic elements like SCCmec and genetic mutations.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative bacteriological test result. There is limited information on the factors that determine clinicians' decisions to initiate TB treatment when initial bacteriological test results are negative.

Methods And Findings: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January 2010 and December 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613).

Epicardial Substrate Ablation in Symptomatic Brugada Syndrome Patients: An Updated Systematic Review and Single-arm Meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic heart disease that predisposes individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and quinidine are primary treatments, recurrent BrS-triggered ventricular arrhythmias can persist. In this setting, epicardial substrate ablation has emerged as a promising alternative for symptomatic patients.

Evaluation of a potential bidirectional influence of metabolic syndrome and apical periodontitis: An animal-based study.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the possible bidirectional interrelations between fructose-induced metabolic syndrome (MS) and apical periodontitis (AP).

Methodology: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 7, per group): Control (C), AP, Fructose Consumption (FRUT) and Fructose Consumption and AP (FRUT+AP). The rats in groups C and AP received filtered water, while those in groups FRUT and FRUT+AP received a 20% fructose solution mixed with water to induce MS.

Infant Passive Protection Against Coronavirus Through Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to determine the percentage and duration of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant in human milk after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, considering the three different vaccine technologies approved in Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with lactating women who received the complete vaccination cycle with available vaccines (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, CoronaVac, and Janssen). The participants resided in Rio de Janeiro, and samples were collected from April to October 2022.

Dietary Bioactive Compounds and Human Health: The Role of Bioavailability.

The relationship between dietary bioactive compounds and human health has generated significant interest among members of the scientific community and the general public [...

Almond Grafting for Plum Pox Virus Resistance Triggers Significant Transcriptomic and Epigenetic Shifts in Peaches.

Sharka disease, caused by the plum pox virus (PPV), negatively impacts stone fruit production, resulting in economic losses. It has been demonstrated that grafting the almond ( (Miller) D.A.

-Kaurane Diterpenoids from Genus: An Update of Chemical Diversity and Biological Aspects.

Coffee is one of the most important beverages in the world and is produced from spp. beans. Diterpenes with -kaurane backbones have been described in this genus, and substances such as cafestol and kahweol have been widely investigated, along with their derivatives and biological properties.

NMR Studies on the Structure of Yeast Sis1 and the Dynamics of Its Interaction with Ssa1-EEVD.

HSP70 chaperones play pivotal roles in facilitating protein folding, refolding, and disaggregation through their binding and releasing activities. This intricate process is further supported by J-domain proteins (JDPs), also known as DNAJs or HSP40s, which can be categorized into classes A and B. In yeast, these classes are represented by Ydj1 and Sis1, respectively.