Keratoconus Detection in High-Astigmatism Pediatric Patients: Optimal Pentacam Indices and Cutoff Points.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of various Pentacam indices in distinguishing keratoconus (KC) in pediatric patients with high astigmatism and to establish appropriate cutoff values.

Methods: This prospective multicenter cross-sectional study included 312 eyes from 167 patients aged 6 to 18 years (mean age, 13.1 ± 3.

Chronic exposure to low concentration of diflubenzuron and pyriproxyfen induces brain oxidative stress and inflammation and alters locomotion in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Diflubenzuron (DFB) and pyriproxyfen (PPF) are pesticides widely used in agriculture and urban environments to control insect actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic 30-day exposure to DFB (0.025 and 0.

Anthropometric and Demographic Features Affect the Interpretation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Patients with Different Dementia Syndromes and Cognitively Healthy Adults.

Clinical distinction between dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is difficult, while several features might affect the analyses of biomarkers. This study aimed to verify associations of anthropometric and demographic features with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, their ratios, and restructured traditional regression formulas in patients with DLB and AD, as well as in cognitively healthy controls. Consecutive outpatients with DLB were paired with outpatients with AD according to sex, dementia stage, and cognitive status, and with controls according to sex and age to investigate associations of sex, age, dementia duration, total sleep time, body mass index, alcohol use, smoking, sanitation, and APOE-ε4 alleles on the measurement of cerebrospinal fluid α-synuclein, biomarker ratios, and restructured traditional regression formulas involving amyloid-β (Aβ,Aβ,Aβ), tau, and phospho-tau Thr.

Short-term exercise counteracts accelerated ageing impacts on physical performance and liver health in mice.

Senescence impairs liver physiology, mitochondrial function and circadian regulation, resulting in systemic metabolic dysregulation. Given the limited research on the effects of combined exercise on an ageing liver, this study aimed to evaluate its impact on liver metabolism, circadian rhythms and mitochondrial function in senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) and senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. Histological, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunoblotting analyses were conducted, supplemented by transcriptomic data sets and AML12 hepatocyte studies.

Adsorption of amoxicillin by chitosan and alginate biopolymers composite beads.

Due to its widespread use and incomplete breakdown in the human body, amoxicillin has been detected in receiving water bodies. This raises significant concerns, like the promotion of antibiotic resistance, toxicity towards aquatic life, disruption of the natural balance of microbial communities within these water bodies, and the struggle of effectively removal by the traditional wastewater treatment plants. Consequently, exploring new processes to complement the existing methods is crucial.

Serum Fatty Acids and Inflammatory Patterns in Severe Obesity: A Preliminary Investigation in Women.

Inflammation plays a central role in many chronic diseases that characterize modern society. Leptin/adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin ratios have been recognized as notable markers of dysfunctional adipose tissue and, consequently, an inflammatory state. Blood samples were collected from 41 adult volunteers (40.

A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Quality of Life in Adult Female Acne Treated with Azelaic Acid 15% Gel versus Oral Spironolactone.

Introduction: In several countries, recent research has shown an increase in the prevalence of adult female acne (AFA), defined as the acne that appears in women aged over 25. This disease brings some particularities and challenges, such as a greater impact on quality of life (QoL) and chronicity. A negative impact on QoL has been observed, as well as anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, and feelings of embarrassment and frustration.

Exposure to microplastics contaminated with pharmaceuticals and personal care products: Histological effects on Ucides cordatus.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are known to interact with microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, with substances such as the antimicrobial triclosan (TCS) and the synthetic hormone 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) being prevalent. These persistent contaminants are linked to toxic effects in aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate histological and morphometric changes in the gills of Ucides cordatus exposed to microplastics alone and microplastics contaminated with PPCPs.

Mannose-6-Phosphate Isomerase Functional Status Shapes a Rearrangement in the Proteome and Degradome of Mannose-Treated Melanoma Cells.

Metabolic reprogramming is a ubiquitous feature of transformed cells, comprising one of the hallmarks of cancer and enabling neoplastic cells to adapt to new environments. Accumulated evidence reports on the failure of some neoplastic cells to convert mannose-6-phosphate into fructose-6-phosphate, thereby impairing tumor growth in cells displaying low levels of mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI). Thus, we performed functional analyses and profiled the proteome landscape and the repertoire of substrates of proteases (degradome) of melanoma cell lines with distinct mutational backgrounds submitted to treatment with mannose.

Demystifying Obesity: Understanding, Prevention, Treatment, and Stigmas.

Obesity is a complex chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There is still significant stigma associated with it, which can lead to discrimination and create additional barriers for people who are already in treatment. On the other hand, it is noted that it can have serious implications for health and predisposition to noncommunicable chronic diseases.

A self-adjuvanted VLPs-based Covid-19 vaccine proven versatile, safe, and highly protective.

Vaccination has played a critical role in mitigating COVID-19. Despite the availability of licensed vaccines, there remains a pressing need for improved vaccine platforms that provide high protection, safety, and versatility, while also reducing vaccine costs. In response to these challenges, our aim is to create a self-adjuvanted vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, utilizing Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) as the foundation.

The Effects of Collagen Peptides as a Dietary Supplement on Muscle Damage Recovery and Fatigue Responses: An Integrative Review.

Background/objectives: The oral administration of hydrolyzed collagen peptides is a scientifically validated intervention for enhancing skeletal muscle health and performance. This integrative review consolidates the evidence supporting the use of low molecular weight collagen peptides (2000-3500 daltons) for their superior bioavailability and absorption. Our objective was to review the effects of collagen peptide or hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on muscle damage, recovery, and construction related to physical exercise.

Hospitalizations in the public health system and mining disasters in Mariana and Brumadinho, Brazil.

Background: Mining occupies a prominent place in Brazil, which, if observed, means that one must work with the contingencies that arise from its activity. Mining disasters, such as those in Mariana and Brumadinho, exemplify the impact on the health system and are models for similar situations, so the study sought to investigate the impact of these disasters on hospital admissions in the Brazilian public health system.

Methods: Through segmented regression, we sought to assess possible changes in the variables HAA (authorized hospital admissions), total admission value, and mortality rate in Mariana and Brumadinho.

Salivary assessment of the immune/inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in older adults vaccinated with CoronaVac or ChadOx-1.

Background: Although important information concerning COVID-19 vaccination is available, the effects of the CoronaVac and ChadOx-1 vaccines on immunity and the redox balance in the upper airway mucosa of the aged population are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of two doses of the CoronaVac or ChadOx-1 vaccine on immune/inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the airway mucosa of older adults.

Methods: Seventy-six older adults of both sexes, with a mean age of 75.

A systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on the use of ayurvedic medicine in cerebral palsy.

Integrative practices have been incorporated into palliative care to provide holistic and multidimensional care for patients. This study aims to identify the scope of integrative practices, specifically whole medical systems, and demonstrate its safety and efficacy, specially in children with cerebral palsy. Key databases, including Embase, Cochrane, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Lilacs and Scielo were searched using specific terms.

Circulating Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells, a Potential Prognostic Marker in Patients with Carcinoma.

Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells (PGCCs) have been recognized as tumor cells that are resistant to anticancer therapies. However, it remains unclear whether their presence in the bloodstream can be consistently detected and utilized as a clinical marker to guide therapeutic anticancer regimens. To address these questions, we conducted a retrospective study involving 228 patients diagnosed with six different types of carcinomas (colon, gastric, NSCLC, breast, anal canal, kidney), with the majority of them (70%) being non-metastatic.