Pharmacology of the lower urinary tract: update on LUTS treatment.

The number of compounds used in the pharmacological treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of patients who do not respond to conservative measures has been relatively stable during the last decade, with the exception of the introduction of the new class of β3 adrenoceptor agonists. However, different combinations have been investigated, and the long-term use of these compounds has raised new concerns about adherence and safety. This review summarizes the current state of pharmacology for LUTS, and presents a thorough discussion of the possible challenges concerning their future use.

Ectopic breast tissue presenting as an enlarging abdominal mass.

Ectopic breast tissue (EBT) is an uncommon entity that occurs in about 6% of the population, more frequently in Asian people. It manifests as a nonspecific soft tissue mass that can develop in any location along the "milk-line," with the axilla being the most frequently reported location. As with normal breast tissue, both benign and malignant processes can arise from EBT.

In Vitro Characterization, Modelling, and Antioxidant Properties of Polyphenon-60 from Green Tea in Eudragit S100-2 Chitosan Microspheres.

Eudragit S100-coated chitosan microspheres (S100Ch) are proposed as a new oral delivery system for green tea polyphenon-60 (PP60). PP60 is a mixture of polyphenolic compounds, known for its active role in decreasing oxidative stress and metabolic risk factors involved in diabetes and in other chronic diseases. Chitosan-PP60 microspheres prepared by an emulsion cross-linking method were coated with Eudragit S100 to ensure the release of PP60 in the terminal ileum.

Ocular Cell Lines and Genotoxicity Assessment.

Genotoxicity screening tests aim to evaluate if and to what extent a compound in contact with the human body (e.g., a drug molecule, a compound from the environment) interacts with DNA.

Hunner lesion disease differs in diagnosis, treatment and outcome from bladder pain syndrome: an ESSIC working group report.

There is confusion about the terms of bladder pain syndrome (BPS) and Interstitial Cystitis (IC). The European Society for the Study of IC (ESSIC) classified these according to objective findings [9]. One phenotype, Hunner lesion disease (HLD or ESSIC 3C) differs markedly from other presentations.

(+)-Limonene 1,2-Epoxide-Loaded SLNs: Evaluation of Drug Release, Antioxidant Activity, and Cytotoxicity in an HaCaT Cell Line.

In this work, we developed a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation with (+)-limonene 1,2-epoxide and glycerol monostearate (-SLNs), stabilized with Poloxamer 188 in aqueous dispersion to modify the release profile of the loaded monoterpene derivative. We also evaluated the role of SLNs in lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity in a spontaneously transformed aneuploid immortal keratinocyte cell line from adult human skin (the HaCaT cell line). For the cell viability assay, the colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used.

Perillaldehyde 1,2-epoxide Loaded SLN-Tailored mAb: Production, Physicochemical Characterization and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Profile in MCF-7 Cell Lines.

We have developed a new cationic solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) formulation, composed of Compritol ATO 888, poloxamer 188 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), to load perillaldehyde 1,2-epoxide, and surface-tailored with a monoclonal antibody for site-specific targeting of human epithelial growth receptor 2 (HER2). Perillaldehyde 1,2-epoxide-loaded cationic SLN (c-SLN), with a mean particle size (z-Ave) of 275.31 ± 4.

Sucupira Oil-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC): Lipid Screening, Factorial Design, Release Profile, and Cytotoxicity.

Essential oils are odorant liquid oily products consisting of a complex mixture of volatile compounds obtained from a plant raw material. They have been increasingly proven to act as potential natural agents in the treatment of several human conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia closely related to carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism disturbances.

Induction of apoptosis increases sensitivity to detect cancer mutations in plasma.

Background: The study of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), namely the fraction derived from tumors (ctDNA), is a clinically relevant noninvasive biomarker for cancer management. However, the intrinsic low abundance of ctDNA in plasma limits its implementation in the clinic.

Aim Of The Study: In this study, the objective was to demonstrate that induction of apoptosis-the major source of ctDNA-increases ctDNA concentration, thereby increasing the sensitivity to detect clinically relevant mutations in plasma.

Multiple Cell Signalling Pathways of Human Proinsulin C-Peptide in Vasculopathy Protection.

A major hallmark of diabetes is a constant high blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia), resulting in endothelial dysfunction. Transient or prolonged hyperglycemia can cause diabetic vasculopathy, a secondary systemic damage. C-Peptide is a product of cleavage of proinsulin by a serine protease that occurs within the pancreatic β-cells, being secreted in similar amounts as insulin.

New Nanotechnologies for the Treatment and Repair of Skin Burns Infections.

Burn wounds are highly debilitating injuries, with significant morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. In association with the damage of the skin integrity, the risk of infection is increased, posing an obstacle to healing and potentially leading to sepsis. Another limitation against healing is associated with antibiotic resistance mainly due to the use of systemic antibiotics for the treatment of localized infections.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Best Practice in Monitoring and Managing a Relentless Fibrotic Disease.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrosing interstitial lung disease that is, by definition, progressive. Progression of IPF is reflected by a decline in lung function, worsening of dyspnea and exercise capacity, and deterioration in health-related quality of life. In the short term, the course of disease for an individual patient is impossible to predict.

Nanoparticle Delivery Systems in the Treatment of Diabetes Complications.

Diabetes mellitus, an incurable metabolic disease, is characterized by changes in the homeostasis of blood sugar levels, being the subcutaneous injection of insulin the first line treatment. This administration route is however associated with limited patient's compliance, due to the risk of pain, discomfort and local infection. Nanoparticles have been proposed as insulin carriers to make possible the administration of the peptide via friendlier pathways without the need of injection, i.

Trends in Atopic Dermatitis-From Standard Pharmacotherapy to Novel Drug Delivery Systems.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a predominant and deteriorating chronic inflammation of the skin, categorized by robust burning and eczematous lacerations in diverse portions of the body. AD affects about 20% of both offspring and adults worldwide. The pathophysiology of AD combines environmental, hereditary, and immunological aspects, together with skin barrier dysfunction.

Holistic view of patients with melanoma of the skin: how can health systems create value and achieve better clinical outcomes?

Patients with skin cancer should be treated in healthcare units that ensure holistic and multidisciplinary approaches. Current healthcare units, especially those dedicated to cancer care, must evolve to integrated patient-centred systems. The current review presents a holistic health services perspective towards managing patients with melanoma of the skin, based on a literature search.

Giant multilocular prostatic cystadenoma, a diagnosis to consider in large pelvic male masses.

Giant multilocular prostatic cystadenomas are rare benign prostatic tumor, usually presenting as a large pelvic mass, compressing the adjacent organs but with no clear aggressive features, frequently causing obstructive voiding symptoms. Nowadays, imaging plays an important role on the adequate characterization of these lesions, not only on depicting their different internal components, but also the relationship with the adjacent structures, therefore providing the best preoperative surgical planning. Here we present a case of a 62-year-old patient with recurrent obstructive voiding symptoms due to a giant multilocular prostatic cystadenomas, with histologically correlation, posteriorly excised.

JC virus antibodies in Portuguese multiple sclerosis patients: JUSTIFY study results.

Objective: To confirm anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody seroprevalence in Portuguese patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to determine their anti-JCV antibody index.

Methods: JUSTIFY was a retrospective, multicentre study that included 655 RRMS patients tested at least once with the anti-JCV antibody assay STRATIFY JCV DxSelect. Demographic data, multiple sclerosis history and results of the anti-JCV antibody test were collected, along with physicians' reasons for requesting the test and the impact of the results.

Sirtuins and SIRT6 in Carcinogenesis and in Diet.

Sirtuins are a highly conserved family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent protein lysine modifying enzymes. They are key regulators for a wide variety of cellular and physiological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, DNA damage and stress response, genome stability, cell survival, metabolism, energy homeostasis, organ development and aging. Aging is one of the major risk factors of cancer, as many of the physiological mechanisms and pathologies associated with the aging process also contribute to tumor initiation, growth and/or metastasis.

Alterations in ALK/ROS1/NTRK/MET drive a group of infantile hemispheric gliomas.

Infant gliomas have paradoxical clinical behavior compared to those in children and adults: low-grade tumors have a higher mortality rate, while high-grade tumors have a better outcome. However, we have little understanding of their biology and therefore cannot explain this behavior nor what constitutes optimal clinical management. Here we report a comprehensive genetic analysis of an international cohort of clinically annotated infant gliomas, revealing 3 clinical subgroups.

Episiotomy: the biomechanical impact of multiple small incisions during a normal vaginal delivery.

Childbirth-related injuries are one of the main causes of pelvic floor dysfunction. To attempt to avoid serious tears during delivery, an episiotomy can be performed. In this study, we intended to investigate the biomechanical performance of the pelvic floor muscles after performing different episiotomies using a physics-based computational model which includes the pelvic floor muscles and the fetus.

How should we select suspected Crohn's disease patients for capsule enteroscopy?

In suspected Crohn's disease (CD), non-diagnostic ileocolonoscopies are often followed by small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). Adequate pre-selection of patients for SBCE is a key to optimize allocation of resources. We aimed to establish a rational approach for the CD diagnostic workflow, based on biochemical profile of patients with suspected CD, targeting an optimization of patients' selection for SBCE.