Gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease: understanding molecular pathways and potential therapeutic perspectives.

Accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbiota (GM) plays a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and progression. This narrative review explores the complex interplay between GM, the immune system, and the central nervous system in AD. We discuss mechanisms through which GM dysbiosis can compromise intestinal barrier integrity, enabling pro-inflammatory molecules and metabolites to enter systemic circulation and the brain, potentially contributing to AD hallmarks.

Effect of Probiotics on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Schizophrenia: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Inflammatory markers play a pivotal role in schizophrenia, as they provide insight into the neuroinflammatory processes occurring in the context of the disorder. Elevated levels of these markers, particularly C-reactive protein (CRP), can indicate an underlying immune system dysregulation, potentially influencing symptom severity and progression. Recognizing these markers has led to investigate the use of probiotics as an adjuvant to improve the treatment of schizophrenia.

Comorbidities Associated With Different Degrees of Severity in Children and Young People Hospitalized With Acute COVID-19.

In this prospective cohort study with 2326 hospitalized children and young people with coronavirus disease 2019 in Spain and Colombia, 36.4% had comorbidities. Asthma, recurrent wheezing, chronic neurological, cardiac and pulmonary diseases significantly increased the risk of severe outcomes such as death, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission.

Diagnostic Performance of Two Different Techniques to Quantify CMV-Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity in Intermediate-Risk Seropositive Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Kidney transplant (KT) recipients at intermediate risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection constitute a potential target for individualized prevention strategies informed by the CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMV-CMI). The optimal method for the functional assessment of CMV-CMI in this group remains unclear.

Methods: We included 74 CMV-seropositive KT recipients that did not receive T-cell-depleting induction and were managed by preemptive therapy.

Mortality risks in different subtypes of masked hypertension in the Spanish ambulatory blood pressure monitoring registry.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the risks of death and cardiovascular death of different subtypes of masked hypertension, defined by either isolated daytime or nighttime blood pressure (BP) elevation, or both, compared with patients with normal both office and 24-h BP.

Methods: We selected 4999 patients with masked hypertension (normal office BP and elevated 24-h BP). They were divided in three different categories: isolated daytime masked hypertension (elevated daytime BP and normal nighttime BP, 800 patients), isolated nighttime masked hypertension (elevated nighttime BP and normal daytime BP, 1069 patients) and daytime and nighttime masked hypertension (elevation of both daytime and nighttime BP, 2989).

Formation of I+III supercomplex rescues respiratory chain defects.

Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes partition between free complexes and quaternary assemblies known as supercomplexes (SCs). However, the physiological requirement for SCs and the mechanisms regulating their formation remain controversial. Here, we show that genetic perturbations in mammalian ETC complex III (CIII) biogenesis stimulate the formation of a specialized extra-large SC (SC-XL) with a structure of I+III, resolved at 3.

Efficacy outcomes of CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy treatment in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer according to PAM50 intrinsic subtype: Primary results of SOLTI-1801 CDK-PREDICT study.

Introduction: The prognostic value of PAM50 intrinsic subtypes (IS), cell cycle, and immune-related gene expression in HR+ /HER2- advanced breast cancer (BC) treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) and endocrine therapy (ET) in a first-line metastatic setting is unclear. This study evaluates these biomarkers in metastatic biopsies from patients diagnosed with HR+ /HER2- advanced BC.

Methods: CDK-PREDICT study is a multicentric, ambispective observational cohort study conducted in six Spanish hospitals.

Risk factors for one-year mortality in 440 femoral peri-implant fractures: insights from the PIPPAS prospective, multicentre, observational study.

Aims: The Peri-Implant and PeriProsthetic Survival AnalysiS (PIPPAS) study aimed to investigate the risk factors for one-year mortality of femoral peri-implant fractures (FPIFs).

Methods: This prospective, multicentre, observational study involved 440 FPIF patients with a minimum one-year follow-up. Data on demographics, clinical features, fracture characteristics, management, and mortality rates were collected and analyzed using both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Attitude Towards Vaccination Among University Students at a Spanish University: Relationships with Sociodemographic and Academic Variables.

Objectives: This descriptive, cross-sectional study examines the attitude towards vaccination of students at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) and explores its relationship with sociodemographic and academic variables using a bivariate analysis and linear and logistic regression.

Methods: The attitude towards vaccination of 3577 students of different disciplines was assessed using an online version of the Questionnaire on Attitudes and Behaviours towards Vaccination. In addition, all students were asked if they sought information produced by anti-vaccination groups and whether they identified as "anti-vaccine".

Destination Therapy Strategies of Advanced Heart Failure in Elderly Non-Heart Transplant Candidates: A Propensity Matching Analysis from the LEVO-D and REGALAD Registries.

Heart transplantation (HT) is the gold standard therapy for advanced heart failure (ADHF), and LVADs as destination therapy are an option in non-HT candidates. Most patients with ADHF never receive HT or an LVAD, so alternative strategies are needed. Intermittent levosimendan can reduce HF hospitalizations in ADHF patients in the short term.

Persistent Symptoms (Lasting Longer than 1 Year) in Children Hospitalized with Acute COVID-19 Versus Other Conditions.

We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of persistent signs and/or symptoms in children and young people (CYP) one year after hospitalization for acute COVID-19 compared with a control group of CYP hospitalized for other conditions. We conducted an observational study in three hospitals in Madrid, which included a group of children aged between 1 month and 18 years who were hospitalized due to acute COVID-19 from March 2020 to December 2021. We also selected a comparison group of patients hospitalized for other, unrelated conditions within the same month.

Management of Acute Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures in Children.

Pediatric elbow fractures are quite common, accounting for up to 34% of bone fractures in children. Among these, acute lateral humeral condyle (LHC) fractures represent up to 22%. The accurate diagnosis and early treatment of LHC fractures are crucial due to the potential for abnormal growth and significant long-term impacts on joint motion.

Gut Microbiota, Bacterial Translocation, and Stroke: Current Knowledge and Future Directions.

Stroke is one of the most devastating pathologies in terms of mortality, cause of dementia, major adult disability, and socioeconomic burden worldwide. Despite its severity, treatment options remain limited, with no pharmacological therapies available for hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and only fibrinolytic therapy or mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke (IS). In the pathophysiology of stroke, after the acute phase, many patients develop systemic immunosuppression, which, combined with neurological dysfunction and hospital management, leads to the onset of stroke-associated infections (SAIs).

Targeting of Non-Classical Human Leukocyte Antigens as Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are essential regulators of immune responses against cancer, with classical HLAs well-documented for their role in tumor recognition and immune surveillance. In recent years, non-classical HLAs-including HLA-E, HLA-F, HLA-G, and HLA-H-have emerged as critical players in the immune landscape of cancer due to their diverse and less conventional functions in immune modulation. These molecules exhibit unique mechanisms that enable tumors to escape immune detection, promote tumor progression, and contribute to therapeutic resistance.

The Value of Bone Marrow Assessment by FDG PET/CT, Biopsy and Aspirate in the Upfront Evaluation of Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Assessment of bone marrow infiltration (BMI) is part of the initial staging of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), although BMI evaluated by biopsy (BMB) is not considered significant in the MIPI scales, and standardized recommendations remain lacking.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy and prognostic impact of BMI assessed by PET/CT and BMB in a large series of MCL patients.

Methods: We deconstructed the IPI-NCCN, MIPI, and MIPI-c indices and considered BMI as positive if indicated by a BMB, PET/CT scan, or a combination of both.

Effect of a Health Education Intervention to Reduce Fear of Falling and Falls in Older People: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol.

Fear of falling (FOF) and falls are prevalent issues among older adults, leading to activity restriction, decreased quality of life, and increased dependency. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a nurse-led health education intervention to reduce FOF and fall incidence in older adults within primary care settings. This two-arm, multicenter, parallel, cluster-randomized clinical trial includes ten primary care centers in Spain and will enroll 150 adults over 65 years with FOF, mild or no functional dependence, and independent ambulation.

Telomere-based risk models for the early diagnosis of lung cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of telomere length measurements as diagnostic biomarkers during early screening for lung cancer in high-risk patients.

Methods: This was a prospective study of patients undergoing lung cancer diagnosis at two Spanish hospitals between April 2017 and January 2020. Telomeres from peripheral blood lymphocytes were analysed by Telomere Analysis Technology, which is based in high-throughput quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Infection by Trichosporon Inkin in Lung Transplant: Rare Infection, or Not So Rare?

The incidence of invasive fungal infections has increased in recent years among transplant patients, with Trichosporon inkin being a rare but relevant etiological agent. This study examines the experience of our multidisciplinary lung transplant unit in the diagnosis and treatment of 6 cases of T. inkin infection in transplant patients from 2016 to 2023.

Bone regeneration in sheep model induced by strontium-containing mesoporous bioactive glasses.

Local delivery of therapeutic ions from bioactive mesoporous glasses (MBGs) is postulated as one of the most promising strategies for regenerative therapy of critical bone defects. Among these ions, Sr cation has been widely considered for this purpose as part of the composition of MBGs. MBGs of chemical composition 75SiO-25-x CaO-5PO-xSrO with x = 0, 2.

High-risk Cytomegalovirus in Heart Transplant: How Can We Improve?

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with worse outcomes after heart transplant (HT). CMV mismatch (donor positive, recipient negative serology, D+/R-) increases the risk of infection. Guidelines recommend 3 to 6 months of antiviral prophylaxis in these patients.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in people with heart diseases.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most limiting symptoms in individuals with heart disease (HD). However, valid and reliable instruments for assessing fatigue in clinical practice still need to be improved.

Objective: To assess the dimensional structure of the self-reported Spanish Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and analyze its psychometric properties in individuals with HD.