Rectal ameboma: A new entity in the differential diagnosis of rectal cancer.

We examined the case report written by Ke , describing a rare clinical case. In this editorial, we would like to emphasize the differential diagnosis of rectal masses through a rare case. We describe a case of ameboma, which manifested itself as a mass in the rectum in terms of imaging and rectoscopic features, in an immunocompetent patient who had complaints of constipation and rectal bleeding for weeks.

Using Protein Painting Mass Spectrometry to Define Ligand Receptor Interaction Sites for Acetylcholine Binding Protein.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a family of ligand-gated ion channels expressed in nervous and non-nervous system tissue important for memory, movement, and sensory processes. The pharmacological targeting of nAChRs, using small molecules or peptides, is a promising approach for the development of compounds for the treatment of various human diseases including inflammatory and neurogenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Using the acetylcholine binding protein (Ac-AChBP) as an established structural surrogate for human homopentameric α7 nAChRs, we describe an innovative protein painting mass spectrometry (MS) method that can be used to identify interaction sites for various ligands at the extracellular nAChR site.

Liposarcoma of the Spermatic Cord With Signs and Symptoms Mimicking the Inguinal Hernia: A Rare Case Report.

Liposarcoma of the spermatic cord (LSC) is extremely rare; < 200 cases were reported in the medical literature. Because of the rarity of these tumors and their presentation as a painless inguinal or scrotal mass, preoperative diagnosis is uncertain and they are frequently misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias.

High glucose affects the cardiac function of diabetic Akita mice by inhibiting cardiac ATP synthase beta subunit.

Object: To explore the mechanism of diabetic cardiomyopathy that hyperglycemia may affect the cardiac function by inhibiting the expression of ATPase β subunit.

Method: Cardiac function, fibrosis levels, and the expression of the ATPase β subunit were observed in Akita mice-a diabetes mice model without lipid metabolism disorders--using morphological, molecular biology, and echocardiographic analyses compared to wild-type mice. The study revealed a connection between the decreased ATPase β subunit and the development of diabetic myocardial injury.

Allostatic Load and Oxidative Stress Markers in Women With Early- and Late-Onset Preeclampsia.

Background: Allostatic load and oxidative stress (OS) markers differ in women with and without preeclampsia. However, there is no difference in allostatic load and OS markers between late-onset preeclampsia (L-OP) and early-onset preeclampsia (E-OP). This study aimed to compare the concentrations of allostatic load and OS markers in pregnant women with L-OP and E-OP.

Emerging Trend of Central Precocious Puberty: A Retrospective Study of Cases Diagnosed Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Portuguese Tertiary-Level Hospital.

Introduction: In light of the recent evidence suggesting an increase in idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to assess the incidence of newly diagnosed ICPP cases and compare differences in demographic, anthropometric, and clinical characteristics pre-pandemic and during the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at a national reference pediatric endocrinology unit in Portugal to evaluate the proportion of referrals for precocious puberty (PP) and, within this group, the number of ICPP cases diagnosed before (group 1: January 2018 to March 2020) and during the pandemic (group 2: April 2020 to June 2022). Additionally, we compared the demographic, anthropometric, and clinical characteristics of ICPP patients between the two groups.

The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as a marker for pulmonary fibrosis in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases.

Introduction: Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD) cover heterogeneous types of lung disorders. Among many pathological phenotypes, pulmonary fibrosis is the most devastating and represents a characteristic sign of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Despite a poor prognosis brought by pulmonary fibrosis, there are no specific diagnostic biomarkers for the initial development of this fatal condition.

DNA vaccines as promising immuno-therapeutics against cancer: a new insight.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality around the world and most of our conventional treatments are not efficient enough to combat this deadly disease. Harnessing the power of the immune system to target cancer cells is one of the most appealing methods for cancer therapy. Nucleotide-based cancer vaccines, especially deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cancer vaccines are viable novel cancer treatments that have recently garnered significant attention.

Molecular insights into the unique properties of the blood-circulating proteasome.

Proteasomes are essential for protein degradation and maintaining cellular balance, yet their roles in extracellular fluids are not well understood. Our study investigates the freely circulating proteasome in blood, to uncover its unique molecular characteristics, compared to its intracellular counterparts. Using a transgenic mouse model, mass spectrometry, and biochemical tools, we show that the predominant proteasome in serum is the free uncapped 20S particle, which seems to assemble intracellularly before entering the bloodstream.

Cockroaches as Reservoirs, Vectors, and Potential Sentinels of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Ugandan Communities: A Retrospective Analysis.

Cockroaches could play a role in the transmission dynamics of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) at variable interfaces in Ugandan communities, acting as both reservoirs and vectors. This study investigated the burden and diversity of ARB carried by cockroaches in human settlements in Uganda, so as to understand their role in the spread of these pathogens and their potential as sentinels in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance programs. A retrospective analysis was conducted on two unpublished studies by Makerere University students.

Analysis of artery injury types and clinical characteristics of patients with transcatheter angioembolization after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Background: There is no systematic classification of renal vascular injuries conducted for severe post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) bleeding.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the various types of artery injury and clinical characteristics of patients who underwent transcatheter angioembolization (TAE) after PCNL.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 52 patients who underwent renal arteriography (RA) because of severe bleeding after PCNL between April 2009 and December 2023.

Comprehensive surgery of complex scalp arteriovenous fistula: a successful trial.

Background: Traumatic scalp arteriovenous fistula is a rare vascular abnormality. Open surgical removal and embolization have been employed to address this condition.

Methods: In this report, we present a case involving a 41-year-old man who exhibited a progressively enlarging pulsatile mass in his right occipital scalp.

Validation of new predictors of mortality and BODE index variants in patients with COPD at moderate altitude.

Background: COPD ranks as the third leading global cause of mortality. Despite the widespread use of the BODE index and its variants for mortality prediction, their accuracy may be affected by factors like ethnicity, altitude and regional disparities. This study aimed to assess a new altitude-adapted prognostic index in COPD patients at moderate altitudes compared with the BODE and other mortality predictors.

Cost analysis of dermal allograft patch utilization in rotator cuff repair.

Background: To perform an analysis of intraoperative costs associated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) acellular dermal allograft patch augmentation and interposition.

Methods: This was a matched cohort retrospective cost identification analysis. We identified patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR with acellular dermal allograft patch augmentation or interposition between 2014 and 2023 at a single academic center.

A comprehensive analysis of erectile dysfunction prevalence and the impact of prostate conditions on ED among US adults: evidence from NHANES 2001-2004.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for intercourse. While previous research suggests a potential link between ED and prostate pathologies, the association between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, prostatic cancer (PCa), and ED remains to be elucidated.

Methods: Data from participants (40-80 years, n=2225) were extracted from the NHANES 2001-2004 for this observational study.

Association between different insulin resistance indices and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetic kidney disease: a prospective cohort study.

Aim: Previous research has shown a strong association between insulin resistance (IR) and both the onset and advancement of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). This research focuses on examining the relationship between IR and all-cause mortality in individuals with DKD.

Methods: This study utilized data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), spanning the years 2001 to 2018.

Ginsenoside Rc prevents dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy and enhances muscle strength and motor function.

Background: A decline in muscle mass and function can impact the health, disease vulnerability, and mortality of older adults. Prolonged use of high doses of glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone (DEX), can cause muscle wasting and reduced strength. Ginsenoside Rc (gRc) has been shown to protect muscles by activating the PGC-1α pathway and improving mitochondrial function.

Detections of Chemicals and Migratory Plastics in Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an important modality of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Peritonitis and ultrafiltration failure are complications that have a long-term impact on PD patients. Besides touch contamination, procedural errors and clinical reasons of peritonitis, contaminants, and constituents of peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) have been implicated in causing peritonitis and ultrafiltration failure.

Myoepithelioma-Like Tumor of the Vulva.

Myoepithelioma-like tumor of the vulvar region (MELTVR) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that typically arises in the female vulva. Here, we report a case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of subcutaneous mass in the vulvar region. As the mass rapidly increased in the last 2 months, personal slight swelling pain appeared.

Exploring the Association Between Triglyceride-Glucose Indices and Their Derivatives With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Insights From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Simple and affordable methods for evaluating Insulin Resistance (IR) have been suggested, such as the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index and its variants, including the TyG-Body Mass Index (TyG-BMI), TyG-Waist Circumference (TyG-WC), and TyG-Waist-to-Height Ratio (TyG-WHtR). The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between these TyG-related indices, which measure IR, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Methods: This study analyzed NHANES data from 2007-2008, 2015-2016, and 2017-2020.

Environment scan of generative AI infrastructure for clinical and translational science.

This study reports a comprehensive environmental scan of the generative AI (GenAI) infrastructure in the national network for clinical and translational science across 36 institutions supported by the CTSA Program led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the United States. Key findings indicate a diverse range of institutional strategies, with most organizations in the experimental phase of GenAI deployment. The results underscore the need for a more coordinated approach to GenAI governance, emphasizing collaboration among senior leaders, clinicians, information technology staff, and researchers.

Metabolomics insights into doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy in triple-negative breast cancer: a xenograft mouse model study.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of death among women worldwide. Among its subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive behavior and limited treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the effects of doxorubicin (DOX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as monotherapies and in combination using an established MDA-MB-231 xenograft model in female BALB/C nude mice employing advanced metabolomics analysis to identify molecular alterations induced by these treatments.

Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Rebound Pain After Intercostal Nerves Block in Three-Port Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Case-Control Study.

Background And Objectives: Rebound pain (RP), characterised by an acute increase in pain levels, is usually observed after the effects of block anaesthesia have subsided. Severe RP can cause adverse effects, thus affecting patient prognosis. In this study, we investigated the incidence of RP and its risk factors after intercostal nerve block in three-port thoracoscopic surgery to provide a clinical basis for identifying high-risk patients and providing early intervention.

A New Anatomical Approach to Male Pectoral Volumization.

Background: In this article, we discuss a new technique of pectoralis major muscle volumization using ultrasound-guided fat grafting, considering a new surgical criterion that allows for larger volumes.

Methods: We present a retrospective observational descriptive study, which included men who underwent body contouring surgery during 2022-2023. As part of the study, measurements were taken before, immediately after, and at 3 months after surgery.

Effects of acteoside from on the plasma metabolome of cancer-related fatigue mice inoculated with colon cancer cells.

Objective: To elucidate the metabolic mechanisms by which acteoside (ACT) isolated from alleviates cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in a murine model of colon cancer with cachexia.

Methods: BALB/c mice inoculated with C26 colon cancer cells were treated with paclitaxel (PTX, 10 mg/kg) and ACT (100 mg/kg) alone or in combination for 21 days. Fatigue-associated behaviors, tumor inhibition rate, and skeletal muscle morphology assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and electron microscopy were evaluated.