The effect of a combined long-duration static stretching and resistance training regimen on a competitive bodybuilder: A case study.

Both resistance training (RT) and long-duration, high-intensity stretching induce muscular adaptations; however, it is unknown whether the modalities are complementary or redundant, particularly in well-trained individuals. A case-study was conducted on a competitive bodybuilder implementing long-duration, high-intensity stretching of the plantar flexors (60 min 6x/week for 12 weeks) in conjunction with their habitual RT. Ultrasound muscle architecture (muscle thickness [MT], fascicle length [FL], and pennation angle [PA]) measurements were collected at multiple sites at four weekly baseline sessions, six (mid) and 12 (post1) weeks following the commencement of the intervention, and a week after the intervention (post2) while isometric strength and range of motion (RoM) were obtained once at baseline, mid, post1, and post2.

Implementation effectiveness of 'Problem solving for better health' training in Lesotho using mixed methods and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Background: Healthcare resources have been concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural regions vulnerable to poorer health outcomes. The Problem Solving for Better Health (PSBH) program was implemented to enhance healthcare systems in resource-limited regions by training personnel to maximize existing resources in problem-solving. This study evaluated the implementation effectiveness of PSBH-Nursing (PSBHN), a nationally led initiative to train nurses in PSBH in Lesotho.

Polyphenols as a strategy for improving male reproductive system.

Reproduction in males is one of the complicated processes that is mediated by many environmental factors, as well as by diet (e.g. supplements, nutritional value).

Tucatinib and trastuzumab in HER2-mutated metastatic breast cancer: a phase 2 basket trial.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, also known as ERBB2) signaling promotes cell growth and differentiation, and is overexpressed in several tumor types, including breast, gastric and colorectal cancer. HER2-targeted therapies have shown clinical activity against these tumor types, resulting in regulatory approvals. However, the efficacy of HER2 therapies in tumors with HER2 mutations has not been widely investigated.

The Role of Social Deficits in the Link Between Social Gambling Motives and Problem Gambling.

In comparison to other motives for gambling, social motives (e.g., gambling for social interaction) are often suggested to be the least problematic and, in some cases, even a protective factor for problem gambling.

Defective homologous recombination and genomic instability predict increased responsiveness to carbon ion radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notably resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatment. However, clinical trials indicate that carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) with concurrent gemcitabine is effective for unresectable locally advanced PDAC. This study aimed to identify patient characteristics predictive of CIRT response.

Mechanosensation of the heart and gut elicits hypometabolism and vigilance in mice.

Interoception broadly refers to awareness of one's internal milieu. Although the importance of the body-to-brain communication that underlies interoception is implicit, the vagal afferent signalling and corresponding brain circuits that shape perception of the viscera are not entirely clear. Here, we use mice to parse neural circuits subserving interoception of the heart and gut.

Cola beverage reduces risk of lead poisoning from accidental ingestion of contaminated soil particles in rat and swine models.

Accidental ingestion of lead (Pb)-contaminated soils represents a major route of Pb exposure for both adults and children, and the development of accessible and cost-effective solutions to reduce Pb poisoning is urgently required. Here, we present an effective and straightforward technique, involving the consumption of cola beverages, for the purpose of lowering blood Pb levels following the ingestion of contaminated soils in animal models. This method facilitated the direct passage of Pb in contaminated soil through the digestive system, enhancing its elimination without absorption into systemic circulation.

Analyzing the relationship between gene expression and phenotype in space-flown mice using a causal inference machine learning ensemble.

Spaceflight has several detrimental effects on human and rodent health. For example, liver dysfunction is a common phenotype observed in space-flown rodents, and this dysfunction is partially reflected in transcriptomic changes. Studies linking transcriptomics with liver dysfunction rely on tools which exploit correlation, but these tools make no attempt to disambiguate true correlations from spurious ones.

Pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in patients with T2D and MASLD.

Background & Aims: Lanifibranor is a pan-PPAR agonist that improves glucose/lipid metabolism and reverses steatohepatitis and fibrosis in adults with MASH. We tested its effect on insulin resistance at the level of different target tissues in relationship to change in intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content.

Methods: This phase 2, single center, study randomized (1:1) 38 patients with T2D and MASLD to receive lanifibranor 800 mg or placebo for 24 weeks.

Microsurgical Education in Reproductive Urology: A Review of Current Techniques and Opportunities for Improved Access to Learning Experiences.

Infertility is a common problem. Despite this, a dearth of urologists are trained in infertility care. Improved training opportunities may improve proficiency and interest in subspecialized training.

Low baseline IsoPSA Index is associated with a Prolonged Low Risk of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Diagnosis in Men with an Elevated PSA.

Objective: To compare the rate of diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men with elevated PSA stratified by baseline IsoPSA Index, thus assessing IsoPSA's intermediate-term predictive ability for csPCa.

Material And Methods: Single-center retrospective review of consecutive patients (n=1578) who underwent IsoPSA testing from November 2016-August 2022. Data dichotomized into patients with low(≤6) and high IsoPSA Indices (>6).

Endo-Bentall Repair: Early Results and Feasibility of a Physician-Constructed Endo-Bentall Device.

Objective: We present our experience with endovascular Bentall procedure (Endo-Bentall) using a modular valve conduit (Endo-Bentall) in high-risk patients with aortic root pathologies.

Methods: The physician constructed Endo-Bentall device is composed of a self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve (TAVR), aortic endovascular stent graft (TEVAR), and two wire-reinforced fenestrations for coronary artery stenting. The TAVR valve is sutured into an appropriately sized TEVAR graft.

Novel c.221+1dup pathogenic variant in AGK gene linked to Sengers syndrome.

Sengers Syndrome (SS) is a rare autosomal recessive mitochondrial disorder caused by mutations in the acylglycerol kinase (AGK) gene on chromosome 7, also known as cardiomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MTDPS10). This disorder disrupts mitochondrial DNA function and energy metabolism, presenting with symptoms such as congenital cataracts, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy, exercise intolerance, and lactic acidosis. Previous research has shown SS affects oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial respiration, implicating the TIM22 complex and carrier import.

Older adults exhibit lesser smoothness despite increased caution than younger adults when navigating turns during walking.

Straight line walking currently dominates research into mechanisms associated with walking-related instability; however, the dynamics of everyday walking behavior are far more complex. The figure-8 walk test (F8W) is a clinically-feasible activity that focuses on turning mobility and provides a convenient and relevant task for understanding age-related differences in walking beyond our present knowledge of steady-state behavior. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of age (n = 30 older versus n = 31 younger adults) on path characteristics and the "smoothness" of turning mobility - herein measured via normalized center of mass jerk - during the F8W.

Association of experienced stigma in healthcare settings with health outcomes among Black women living with HIV: Mediating roles of internalized stigma, anticipated stigma, and trust in HIV care.

Background: Black women living with HIV (WLHIV) often have suboptimal ART adherence due to a multitude of social and structural barriers, including HIV-related stigma. Trust in healthcare providers plays a significant role in adhering to ART and is likely lower among Black WLHIV compared to their White counterparts. This study examined the relationship between experienced stigma in healthcare settings and ART adherence and viral suppression through anticipated stigma in healthcare settings, internalized stigma, and medical mistrust.

Insights into tumor-derived exosome inhibition in cancer therapy.

Exosomes are critical mediators of cell-to-cell communication in physiological and pathological processes, due to their ability to deliver a variety of bioactive molecules. Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs), in particular, carry carcinogenic molecules that contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, immune escape, and drug resistance. Thus, TDE inhibition has emerged as a promising strategy to combat cancer.

Lattice-mismatched and twisted multi-layered materials for efficient solar cells.

We argue that alternating-layer structures of lattice mismatched or misaligned (twisted) atomically-thin layers should be expected to be more efficient absorbers of the broad-spectrum of solar radiation than the bulk material of each individual layer. In such mismatched layer-structures the conduction and valence bands of the bulk material, split into multiple minibands separated by minigaps confined to a small-size emerging Brillouin zone due to band-folding. We extended the Shockley-Queisser approach to calculate the photovoltaic efficiency for a band split into minibands of bandwidth $\Delta E$ and mini-gaps $\delta G$ to model the case when such structures are used as solar cells.

Characteristics of patients diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) who request reinstatement of their driving privileges.

Rationale: Patients who experience seizures, including PNES, are usually advised to discontinue driving, or have their driving privileges revoked until a determined period of seizure-freedom is achieved. In this retrospective study, patients with PNES who requested driving privileges or reported having resumed driving were compared to those who did not on measures of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive flexibility/motor speed.

Methods: DiagnosisofPNESwasconfirmedwithvideo-EEG.