Screening for STIs: Results of a Health-Promotion Programme in a Portuguese University.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are an important and growing public health concern. Implementation of screening programmes and awareness campaigns are crucial to mitigate this problem. A university in the central region of Portugal has devised a health-promotion programme, named , specifically directed towards the sexual health of the university community.

Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME): Current Developments, Applications, and Future Prospects.

The human gastrointestinal microbiota plays a vital role in maintaining host health and preventing diseases, prompting the creation of simulators to replicate this intricate system. The Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME), a multicompartment dynamic simulator, has emerged as a pivotal in vitro model for studying the interactions and interferences within the human gut microbiota. The continuous and real-time monitoring hallmarks, along with the programmatically flexible setup, bestow SHIME with the ability to mimic the entire human intestinal ecosystem with high dynamics and stability, allowing the evaluation of various treatments on the bowel microbiota in a controlled environment.

The Impact of subsp. on Intestinal Microbial Community Composition and Diversity in Small-Tail Han Sheep.

Paratuberculosis (PTB), primarily caused by subsp. (MAP), is a chronic infection that affects ruminants and is difficult to prevent, diagnose, and treat. Investigating how MAP infections affect the gut microbiota in sheep can aid in the prevention and treatment of ovine PTB.

Development and Prevention of Biofilm on Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review.

Biofilm formation on cochlear implants (CIs) poses a major problem for surgeons, leading to a high incidence of explantation and revision surgery. Therefore, developing appropriate and cost-effective biofilm detection and prevention techniques is of the essence. In this systematic review, we sought to investigate the development of biofilm formation on CIs.

Is Whole-Body Cryostimulation Useful in Modulating Spasticity in Adults with Cerebral Palsy? A Case Study.

: This case study investigates the effect of a five-session whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) cycle on a 55-year-old female patient with cerebral palsy (CP) and lower limb spasticity (LLS) with a typical diplegic gait pattern. CP is a common physical disability characterized by motor impairments, including spasticity, which significantly impacts mobility and quality of life. The current treatments for spasticity often have limited efficacy and considerable side effects, making alternative therapies like WBC an area of interest.

Assessment of Extracellular Particles Directly in Diluted Plasma and Blood by Interferometric Light Microscopy. A Study of 613 Human and 163 Canine Samples.

Extracellular nanoparticles (EPs) are a subject of increasing interest for their biological role as mediators in cell-cell communication; however, their harvesting and assessment from bodily fluids are challenging, as processing can significantly affect samples. With the aim of minimizing processing artifacts, we assessed the number density () and hydrodynamic diameter () of EPs directly in diluted plasma and blood using the following recently developed technique: interferometric light microscopy (ILM). We analyzed 613 blood and plasma samples from human patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), collected in trisodium citrate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulants, and 163 blood and plasma samples from canine patients with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS).

Postprandial Glucose Response in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Possible Antioxidant Properties of a Plant-Based Snack Bar.

Daily, more and more people consume snack bars that may have an impact on blood glucose levels. The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of a common snack and a plant-based snack bar (PB) that was developed at the University of Thessaly as a functional diabetic snack on blood glucose and insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Adults with T2DM ( = 10) treated with oral medications were studied in a randomized, crossover clinical trial.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals Among University Students in Seven Cities in Southern and Central China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The misuse of antibiotics in both humans and food-producing animals poses significant risks to human health and contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance. Raising public awareness is crucial to managing antibiotic resistance, particularly among university students, as they represent a future force in tackling this global issue. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to May 2024 in seven cities in Southern and Central China to assess university students' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding antibiotic use in humans and food-producing animals.

Beneficial Effects of a Nutraceutical Combination on Lipid Profiles in Children with Moderate and Severe Hypercholesterolemia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the long-term use of a dietary supplement containing red yeast rice (RYR), combined with other natural compounds, in children and adolescents with primary hypercholesterolemia. A nutraceutical, containing RYR, policosanols, coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin and folic acid (commercial name: Armolipid), was administered once daily in 84 children/adolescents with moderate or severe primary hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, 19 of the participants consumed 1.

Oxidative Status and Lipid Metabolism Analytes in Dogs with Mast Cell Tumors: A Preliminary Study.

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are common skin neoplasms in dogs. Prognostic indicators include histologic grade, clinical stage, high Ki-67 index, elevated argyrophilic nucleolus organizer regions (AgNOR) index, mutations, and recurrence after surgery. Blood serum redox status has been shown to correlate with prognostic factors in canine lymphoma and mammary tumors.

Curcumin Mitigates Gut Dysbiosis and Enhances Gut Barrier Function to Alleviate Metabolic Dysfunction in Obese, Aged Mice.

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining gut and metabolic health, and its composition is often altered by aging and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin on gut dysbiosis, gut barrier integrity, and bile acid homeostasis in aged mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet (HFHSD). Eighteen- to twenty-one-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into groups fed a normal chow diet or HFHSD, with or without curcumin supplementation (0.

[Pedigree analysis of novel missense mutations causing hereditary coagulation factor Ⅴ deficiency].

This study aimed to primarily discuss the pathogenesis of hereditary coagulation factor Ⅴ (FⅤ) deficiency in a family with a consanguineous cousin marriage. The coagulation indices of the pedigree (three generations with seven individuals) and the thrombin levels of the proband and his father were assessed. All exons of the F5 gene were analyzed with Sanger sequencing, and a new mutation was confirmed with reverse sequencing.

Exploring the potential mechanism of action of Wutou-Guizhi decoction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through network pharmacology analysis.

As a widely recognized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction prescription in China, numerous studies have shown that Wutou-Guizhi decoction (WTGZD) exhibits significant therapeutic efficacy for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. This study aims to establish a database of active ingredients for WTGZD and identify RA-related target genes.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy as a game-changer in liver diseases: review of current clinical trials.

Chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver failure, remain formidable challenges due to their complex progression and limited therapeutic options. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has emerged as a game-changing approach, leveraging its potent immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic, and regenerative capabilities, along with the ability to transdifferentiate into hepatocytes. This review delves into the latest advances in MSC-based treatments for chronic and end-stage liver diseases, as highlighted in current clinical trials.

Glecirasib in KRAS-mutated nonsmall-cell lung cancer: a phase 2b trial.

Glecirasib (JAB-21822) is a new covalent oral KRAS-G12C inhibitor. This multicenter, single-arm phase 2b study assessed the efficacy and safety of glecirasib administered orally at 800 mg daily in patients with locally advanced or metastatic KRAS-mutated nonsmall-cell lung cancer. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent review committee (IRC).

Cerebrospinal fluid proteomics reveals the innate immunity and blood-brain barrier dysregulation in a patient with multidrug-resistant ventriculitis treated with intrathecal and intravenous polymyxin B.

is a major pathogen of nosocomial meningitis and ventriculitis. Due to very limited antibiotic treatment options, polymyxins are often used as a last-line therapy. To optimise polymyxin use in the intraventricular environment, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics was employed to investigate host-pathogen-polymyxin interactions in a 69-year-old patient with multidrug-resistant ventriculitis treated with a combination of intrathecal (ITH; 50,000 IU q24h/q48h), intraventricular (IVT; 50,000 IU q48h), and intravenous (500,000 IU, q12h) polymyxin B.

Genomic characterization of ST11-KL25 hypervirulent KPC-2-producing multidrug-resistant from China.

The global prevalence of ST11 hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant (hv-CRKP) isolates has been increasingly documented, yet genomic characterization of this clone remains insufficiently explored. Here, we report a clinical ST11-KL25 hv-CRKP strain (KP156) that exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics and demonstrated hypervirulence in a mouse infection model. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that KP156 harbored one virulence plasmid (pKP156-Vir) and two resistance plasmids (pKP156-KPC and pKP156-tetA).

Acanthomatous ameloblastoma with mucinous glandular differentiation in a dog.

This report describes an atypical case of canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (CAA) with mucinous glandular differentiation in a 12-year-old male Chihuahua with a right mandibular mass. Initially diagnosed as CAA by biopsy, computed tomography revealed bone lysis, prompting surgical excision. Histological examination showed lobular growth with two distinct neoplastic cell populations: typical CAA-like cells and a minor glandular structure population.

TiRobot-assisted versus freehand femoral neck system placement in the treatment of femoral neck fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted treatment for femoral neck fractures, in comparison to traditional freehand treatment methods. Throughout the research process, we conducted an extensive literature search across numerous databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), CQVIP, and Wanfang. Based on the literature screening criteria, we selected six studies, encompassing 358 cases of femoral neck fracture patients, for this meta-analysis.

Yinchen-Gancao decoction ameliorated NASH in mice by reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, inhibiting hepatic inflammatory and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) poses significant health risks; however, effective treatment options remain scarce. Yinchen-Gancao decoction (YG, a formula composed of Traditional Chinese Medicine Artemisia capillaris Thunb. and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.