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.

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.

Prospective validation of a prespecified algorithm for the management of conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: The PROMOTE study.

Background: There is a large variability in the management of conduction disturbances (CDs) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Objective: This study aimed to validate a prespecified algorithm for managing CDs in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study including consecutive patients without prior pacemaker undergoing TAVR.

Meis transcription factors regulate cardiac conduction system development and adult function.

Aims: The Cardiac Conduction System (CCS) is progressively specified during development by interactions among a discrete number of Transcriptions Factors that ensure its proper patterning and the emergence of its functional properties. Meis genes encode homeodomain transcription factors (TFs) with multiple roles in mammalian development. In humans, Meis genes associate with congenital cardiac malformations and alterations of cardiac electrical activity, however the basis for these alterations has not been established.

Maternal genomic profile, gestational diabetes control, and Mediterranean diet to prevent low birth weight.

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated to poor health outcomes. Its causes include maternal lifestyle, obstetric factors, and fetal (epi)genetic abnormalities. This study aims to increase the knowledge regarding the genetic background of LBW by analyzing its association with a set of 110 maternal variants related to gestational diabetes mellitus, in the setting of a nutritional intervention with Mediterranean diet.

Pericardial bioscaffold coated with ECM gels and urothelial cells for the repair of a rabbit urinary bladder defect.

Repair of damaged or faulty complex modular organs such as the urinary bladder is a current clinical challenge. The design of constructs for reconstructive urological surgery can draw advantage from the bioactivity of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds, as well as the activity provided by cells seeded into constructs. Considering these benefits, this work compares the performance of pericardial ECM bioscaffolds and constructs seeded with gel-supported urothelial cells in the repair of urinary bladder defects in rabbits.

Increased EBNA1-specific antibody response in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: The impact of viral infections on disease susceptibility and progression has predominantly been studied in patients with relapse-onset MS (RMS). Here, we determined immune responses to ubiquitous viruses in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Methods: Antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), specifically to the latent EBV nuclear antigen 1 and the lytic viral capsid antigen VCA, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and measles virus were determined in a cohort of 68 PPMS patients with a mean follow-up of 8 years and compared with 66 healthy controls matched for sex and age.

Changes in Alcohol Intake by Educational Level Among Older Men and Women in Spain During the 21st Century.

Background And Objectives: Despite alcohol use being very common in older adults, studies are scarce and suggest alcohol use may be increasing. Furthermore, despite the known relationship between education and alcohol consumption, there is limited evidence of educational differences in older adults. Our objective was to describe trends in alcohol consumption in individuals aged ≥65 by sex and educational level in Spain.

Electrophysiological Phenotype-Genotype Study of Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in Inherited, High Arrhythmic Risk, Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Among inherited cardiomyopathies involving the left ventricle, whether dilated or not, certain genotypes carry a well-established arrhythmic risk, notably manifested as sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT). Nonetheless, the precise localization and electrophysiological profile of this substrate remain undisclosed across different genotypes.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and left ventricle involvement due to high-risk genetic variants and SMVT treated by electrophysiological study were recruited from 18 European/US centers.

Testing the Safety of Piriformis Dry Needling Interventions: An Observational Study Evaluating the Predictive Value of Anthropometric and Demographic Factors.

: The dry needling of the piriformis muscle (especially in the medial region) is a challenging procedure since there is a high risk of accidentally puncturing the sciatic nerve. This study aimed to explain the variance of the deep limit of the piriformis based on anthropometric and demographic predictors potentially associated with it by exploring if clinicians can select the optimal needle length needed accurately to avoid accidental punctures of the sciatic nerve during palpation-guided dry needling interventions. : An observational study was conducted that included fifty-six patients with piriformis muscle syndrome.

Dispersion of Activation in Single-Beat Global Maps During Programmed Ventricular Stimulation Identifies Infarct-Related Ventricular Tachycardia Isthmus Sites.

Background: Electrophysiological characterization of ventricular tachycardia (VT) isthmus sites is complex and time-consuming. We aimed at developing and validating a global mapping strategy during programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) to reveal the underlying electrophysiological properties of the infarct-related substrate and to enable identification of highly heterogeneous activation sites associated with protected VT isthmus sites.

Methods And Results: Experimental study that included 22 pigs with established myocardial infarction undergoing in vivo characterization of the anatomical and functional myocardial substrate associated with potential arrhythmogenicity.

Editorial: Protein post-translational modifications in the nervous system: from development to disease and ageing.

PTMs are crucial for biological processes contributing to healthy organ function. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation (P), acetylation (Ac), SUMOylation (SUMO), S-nitrosylation (Nitro), ubiquitination (Ub) and glycosylation (Glyco), affect a wide range of cellular and biological functions as depicted in this cartoon. Perturbations lead to severe consequences for the normal function of the brain and other organs, such as muscle.

Metabolomic characterization of MC3T3-E1pre-osteoblast differentiation induced by ipriflavone-loaded mesoporous nanospheres.

This study reports on the metabolic changes accompanying the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoprogenitor cells induced by mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres (nMBG) loaded with ipriflavone (nMBG-IP). Ipriflavone (IP) is a synthetic isoflavone known for inhibiting bone resorption, maintaining bone density, and preventing osteoporosis. Delivering IP intracellularly is a promising strategy to modulate bone remodeling at significantly lower doses compared to free drug administration.

Trends in glaucoma surgery in a tertiary hospital in Spain: 2010-2022.

Objective: This study aims to conduct an analysis glaucoma surgeries performed over a 13-year period at a tertiary hospital affiliated with the Spanish National Health System, with the goal of assessing temporal trends.

Methods: This retrospective observational study scrutinized surgeries undertaken in the glaucoma unit of a tertiary center in Spain between 2010 and 2022. Data collected included surgical dates, procedure performed, whether it was standalone or combined, as well as patient demographics including age, sex, and type of underlying glaucoma.

Native Valve Infective Endocarditis with Severe Regurgitation: What Matters Is Heart Failure.

Heart failure worsens the prognosis of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and is mainly caused by severe valvular regurgitation. The aim of our investigation is to describe the clinical, epidemiological, microbiological, and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with native left-sided infective endocarditis (NLSIE) with severe valvular regurgitation; to describe the prognosis according to the therapeutic approach; and to determine the prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality. : We prospectively recruited all episodes of possible or definite NLSIE diagnosed at three tertiary hospitals between 2005 and 2022.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Neurocognitive and Executive Functions to Discriminate Women With and Without Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Secondary Analysis.

The aim of the current study was to determine the capability of neurocognitive variables and executive functions to differentiate women with and without fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). A secondary diagnostic accuracy analysis was conducted. A battery of neurocognitive and executive function tests (the D2 Attention test, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure for visual perception, "Digits D/R/I" tests of the WAIS-IV battery for working memory, the 5-Digit test for mental inhibition, the Symbol Search for processing speed, and the Zoo Test for planning/decision-making) were collected in 129 women with FMS and 111 without FMS.