Genetic predisposition to high circulating levels of interleukin 6 and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Discovery and replication.

Importance: Aging is accompanied by immune dysregulation, which has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Individuals who are genetically predisposed to elevated levels of proinflammatory mediators might be at increased risk for AD.

Objective: To investigate whether genetic propensity for higher circulating levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) is associated with AD risk.

Daughters of PCOS mothers and AMH plasma concentrations in pre-puberty and puberty: A meta-analysis.

Purpose: to compare the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plasma concentrations of pre-pubertal and pubertal daughters born to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mothers to daughters born to control mothers and to investigate their alterations during pre-puberty and all stages of puberty.

Methods: We critically investigated and meta-analyzed observational studies, which compared the plasma concentrations of AMH in pre-pubertal and pubertal daughters of PCOS pregnancies. A search of the literature was completed till the end of June of 2024 in the PubMed, Scopus, and Medline for the eligible studies.

Clinical Outcomes With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With FGFR2/3, MTAP or ERBB2 Genomic Alterations in Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: FGFR2/3, MTAP and ERBB2 genomic alterations have treatment targets in advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC). These alterations may affect tumor microenvironment and outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in aUC.

Patients And Methods: We identified patients with available genomic data in our multi-institution cohort of patients with aUC treated with ICI.

Kenny-Caffey Syndrome Type 2 (KCS2): A New Case Report and Patient Follow-Up Optimization.

Kenny-Caffey syndrome 2 (KCS2) is a rare cause of hypoparathyroidism, inherited in an autosomal dominant mode, resulting from pathogenic variants of the gene, which is implicated in intracellular pathways regulating parathormone (PTH) synthesis and skeletal and parathyroid gland development. : The case of a boy is reported, presenting with the characteristic and newly identified clinical, biochemical, radiological, and genetic abnormalities of KCS2. : The proband had noticeable dysmorphic features, and the closure of the anterior fontanel was delayed until the age of 4 years.

Endothelial Glycocalyx Damage and Arterial Thickness in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO).

: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a relatively uncommon condition with a complex pathophysiology. However, its association with traditional cardiovascular risk factors is well established. In this study, we compared arterial stiffness and endothelial function between patients with RVO and healthy controls.

Tidal Volume Challenge to Assess Volume Responsiveness with Dynamic Preload Indices During Non-Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Study.

: The aim of this study is to assess whether changes in Pulse Pressure Variation (PPV) and Stroke Volume Variation (SVV) following a VtC can predict the response to fluid administration in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia with protective mechanical ventilation. : A total of 40 patients undergoing general surgery or vascular surgery without clamping the aorta were enrolled. Protective mechanical ventilation was applied, and the radial artery was catheterized in all patients.

A Comparative Analysis of Explainable Artificial Intelligence Models for Electric Field Strength Prediction over Eight European Cities.

The widespread propagation of wireless communication devices, from smartphones and tablets to Internet of Things (IoT) systems, has become an integral part of modern life. However, the expansion of wireless technology has also raised public concern about the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields. Our objective is to determine the optimal machine learning model for constructing electric field strength maps across urban areas, enhancing the field of environmental monitoring with the aid of sensor-based data collection.

Emerging Trends in the Management of Gastric Malignancy with Peritoneal Dissemination: Same Disease, Heterogeneous Prognosis.

Gastric cancer is a significant global contributor to cancer-related mortality. Stage IV gastric cancer represents a significant percentage of patients in Western countries, with peritoneal dissemination being the most prevalent site. Peritoneal disease comprises two distinct entities, macroscopic (P1) and microscopic (P0CY1), which are associated with poor long-term survival rates.

The Thermal Ablation with MRgFUS: From Physics to Oncological Applications.

The growing interest in minimal and non-invasive therapies, especially in the field of cancer treatment, highlights a significant shift toward safer and more effective options. Ablative therapies are well-established tools in cancer treatment, with known effects including locoregional control, while their role as modulators of the systemic immune response against cancer is emerging. The HIFU developed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance enables treatment precision, improves real-time procedural control, and ensures accurate outcome assessment.

Deep Learning for Melanoma Detection: A Deep Learning Approach to Differentiating Malignant Melanoma from Benign Melanocytic Nevi.

: Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, accounts for a significant proportion of skin-cancer-related deaths worldwide. Early and accurate differentiation between melanoma and benign melanocytic nevi is critical for improving survival rates but remains challenging because of diagnostic variability. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown promise in automating melanoma detection with accuracy comparable to expert dermatologists.

The Effect of Activity Tracking Apps on Physical Activity and Glycemic Control in People with Prediabetes Compared to Normoglycemic Individuals: A Pilot Study.

Unlabelled: Introduction-Aim: Adopting a lifestyle that incorporates regular physical activity confers substantial benefits to both physical and mental health and is recommended for prediabetic individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of activity tracking apps on increasing physical activity and its effect on glycemic control in people with prediabetes.

Materials And Methods: This pilot study included 37 participants, 18 in the prediabetic group and 19 in the normoglycemic group matched for age and gender (mean age 53 years, 40% males).

The Putative Antidiabetic Effect of on Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a global disease that significantly impacts public health, has become increasingly common over time. In this review, we aim to determine the potential benefits of St. John's Wort (SJW) as an adjunct therapy for DM.

Atrial Fibrosis in Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanistic Insights, Diagnostic Challenges, and Emerging Therapeutic Targets.

Atrial fibrosis is a hallmark of atrial cardiomyopathy and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), contributing to its onset and progression. The mechanisms underlying atrial fibrosis are multifaceted, involving stretch-induced fibroblast activation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and coagulation pathways. Variations in fibrosis types-reactive and replacement fibrosis-are influenced by patient-specific factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities, complicating therapeutic approaches.

TH301 Emerges as a Novel Anti-Oncogenic Agent for Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells: The Dispensable Roles of p53, CRY2 and BMAL1 in TH301-Induced /p21 Upregulation.

: Pancreatic Ductal Adeno-Carcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer, with limited treatment options. Disruption of the circadian clock, which regulates key cellular processes, has been implicated in PDAC initiation and progression. Hence, targeting circadian clock components may offer new therapeutic opportunities for the disease.

DKK1 and Its Receptors in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Promising Molecular Target.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an aggressive gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy with increasing incidence. Despite the recent progress in targeted therapies and surgical approaches, the survival rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients remain poor. The Dickkopf (DKK) proteins are secretory proteins known mainly as antagonists of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is considered an oncogene.

The Morphological Stenosis Pattern of the Caroticoclinoid Foramen.

: The caroticoclinoid bar (CCB) or caroticoclinoid foramen (CCF) represents a well-described ossified variant of the skull base. It corresponds to an osseous bridge (resulting after homonymous ligament ossification) between the anterior and middle clinoid processes (ACPs and MCPs) surrounding the internal carotid artery (ICA)'s cavernous segment. Although extensive research has been performed on this clinically significant entity, only a few studies have been conducted on its effect on the ICA.

"HEALTH INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANT ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE ATTICA REGION, GREECE. NON-COMPLIANCE DATA WITHIN THE FOOD HYGIENE SECTOR".

Background: Ensuring food safety is a fundamental priority for public health. The catering sector has become prominent as a convenient and cost-effective method of food supply worldwide. Adherence to proper food hygiene practices is crucial for preventing foodborne diseases.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bulevirtide monotherapy for up to 96 weeks in patients with HDV-related cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) 2 mg/day is EMA approved for treatment of compensated chronic hepatitis due to Delta virus (HDV) infection, however real-life data in large cohorts of patients with cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive HDV-infected patients with cirrhosis starting BLV 2 mg/day since September 2019 were included in a European retrospective multicenter real-life study (SAVE-D). Patient characteristics before and during BLV treatment were collected.

Oxidative Stress and the NLRP3 Inflammasome: Focus on Female Fertility and Reproductive Health.

Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in female reproductive health; influencing natural conception and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). An essential component of innate immunity, the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is one of the major mediators of inflammatory responses, and its activation is closely linked to oxidative stress. This interaction contributes to a decline in oocyte quality, reduced fertilization potential, and impaired embryo development.

Expression and Regulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Signalling in Acute Lung Inflammation.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are central regulators of gene expression in response to oxygen deprivation, a common feature in critical illnesses. The significant burden that critical illnesses place on global healthcare systems highlights the need for a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms and the development of innovative treatment strategies. Among critical illnesses, impaired lung function is frequently linked to hypoxic conditions.

Exploring the Levels of Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Resilience, Hope, and Spiritual Well-Being Among Greek Dentistry and Nursing Students in Response to Academic Responsibilities Two Years After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Dentistry and nursing students experience significant anxiety, negatively impacting their well-being and academic performance. This study aims to assess the prevalence and relationships of stress, anxiety, depression, resilience, hope, and spiritual well-being among dentistry and nursing students, identify demographic influences and propose strategies to enhance resilience and well-being. This study surveyed 271 students attending Greece's departments of dentistry and nursing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, using an electronic questionnaire aimed to assess stress, anxiety, and depression (depression, anxiety, stress scale-DASS-21); resilience (resilience assessment questionnaire-RAQ8, brief resilience scale-BRS); hope (adult hope scale-AHS); and spiritual well-being (functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spiritual well-being scale-FACIT-Sp-12).

Dysphagia in Rare Diseases and Syndromes: Current Approaches to Management and Therapeutic Innovations-A Systematic Review.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the correlation between Rare Diseases and Syndromes (RDS) and the dysphagic disorders manifested during childhood and adulthood in affected patients. Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty or an inability to swallow food of any consistency, as well as saliva or medications, from the oral cavity to the stomach. RDS often present with complex and heterogeneous clinical manifestations, making it challenging to develop standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Understanding Interpersonal Influences on Maternal Health Service Utilization at Community Health Centers: A Mixed-Methods Study in Indonesia.

: The utilization of maternal health services at the primary healthcare level is still considered an effective approach despite the critical role in improving maternal health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and interpersonal support on the use of maternal health services in three regions of the Province of Jambi, Indonesia. : Using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, a quantitative survey of 432 women and qualitative focus group discussions with nine families were conducted.

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).