Impact of pulmonary vein isolation on atrial arrhythmias in patients with typical atrial flutter: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Aims: Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is the current ablation treatment for typical atrial flutter (AFL). However, post-ablation atrial tachyarrhythmias, mostly in the form of atrial fibrillation (AF), are frequently observed after CTI ablation. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concomitant or isolated pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with typical AFL scheduled for ablation.

The movement and distribution of pregnant spotted ragged-tooth sharks, , in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa.

The spotted ragged-tooth shark, , is widely distributed in subtropical continental coastal seas. In South Africa, it is commonly found along the entire south and east coasts, including the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (IWP) in the far north, which is the largest Marine Protected Area on the South African coast. Pregnant females occur there for much of the year, with the largest aggregations in summer.

Widening the infantile hypotonia with psychomotor retardation and characteristic Facies-1 Syndrome's clinical and molecular spectrum through NALCN structural analysis.

Introduction: Infantile hypotonia with psychomotor retardation and characteristic facies-1 (IHPRF1, MIM#615419) is a rare, birth onset, autosomal recessive disorder caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous truncating variants in gene (MIM#611549) resulting in a loss-of-function effect.

Methods: We enrolled a new IHPRF1 patients' cohort in the framework of an international multicentric collaboration study. Using specialized pathogenicity predictors and structural analyses, we assessed the mechanistic consequences of the deleterious variants retrieved on NALCN structure and function.

Capillary-Enhanced Biomimetic Adhesion on Icy Surfaces for High-Performance Antislip Shoe-Soles.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 684,000 deaths/year due to slips and falls (SFs), with ∼38 million people requiring medical attention per annum. In particular, SFs on ice surfaces account for 45% of all SF incidents, costing over $100 billion globally in healthcare, intensive care, and insurance expenses. Current antislip solutions focus on hydrophobicity to repel interfacial fluids, aiming to maintain solid-to-solid contact.

Adaptation and Validation of Version B of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen for the Portuguese Population.

Objective: This study aims to adapt and provide psychometric support for the validation of version B of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) for the Portuguese population, addressing the need for consistent cognitive evaluations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A second culturally adapted ECAS screen facilitates the accurate characterization of ALS progression, mitigates learning effects, and supports tailored care management.

Methods: The adaptation process included forward-backward translation, cultural adaptation, and cognitive debriefing on a prospective sample of 193 ALS patients and 106 controls.

Microfluidics-Driven Manufacturing and Multiscale Analytical Characterization of Nanoparticle-Vesicle Hybrids.

Coating synthetic nanoparticles (NPs) with lipid membranes is a promising approach to enhance the performance of nanomaterials in various biological applications, including therapeutic delivery to target organs. Current methods for achieving this coating often rely on bulk approaches which can result in low efficiency and poor reproducibility. Continuous processes coupled with quality control represent an attractive strategy to manufacture products with consistent attributes and high yields.

Adherence, risk perception, and attitudes towards colorectal cancer screening: A road to individualized screening?

Background & Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second globally in cancer-related deaths and there is ongoing debate on the best populational screening strategy. This study aimed to evaluate individuals' intention to adhere to CRC screening, screening method preference, and barriers to screening.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in northern Portugal, where a populational fecal occult blood test (FOBT) program is implemented.

A scoping review of participatory approaches in child maltreatment research across Europe.

Background: Participatory approaches in child maltreatment (CM) research increasingly focus on involving children, youth, and adults as co-researchers. However, little is known about their use in Europe.

Objective: To review the European literature on participatory approaches in CM research.

Predictive models of injury risk in male professional football players: a systematic review.

Background: One of the challenges for professional football players is injuries. Due to their influence on their teams, injuries greatly impact the sports business. This research aims to assess predictive models of injury risk in male professional football players.

Salinity modulation of neodymium and dysprosium toxicity in mussels: A comprehensive analysis of adult and sperm responses.

Neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) are among the most commonly used rare earth elements (REEs) worldwide, leading to their increased concentrations in aquatic environments, with potential impacts on organisms. Additionally, organisms are also subjected to environmental stressors, such as salinity shifts, which can not only directly impact their health but also modulate the impacts of contaminants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of Nd and Dy on adult mussels and sperm of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis after 28 days and 30 min of exposure, respectively.

Chemical characterization and antioxidant potential of Arthrospira sp., Thalassiosira sp., and Raphidonema sp.

Microalgae are emerging as valuable sources of bioactive compounds. This study evaluates hexane extracts from Thalassiosira sp. and Raphidonema sp.

Stone selection by wild chimpanzees shares patterns with Oldowan hominins.

The use of broad tool repertoires to increase dietary flexibility through extractive foraging behaviors is shared by humans and their closest living relatives (chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes). However, comparisons between tool use in ancient human ancestors (hominins) and chimpanzees are limited by differences in their toolkits. One feature shared by primate and hominin toolkits is rock selection based on physical properties of the stones and the targets of foraging behaviors.

Transcription factor-mediated reprogramming to antigen-presenting cells.

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are a heterogenous group of immune cells composed by dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (Mϕ), which are critical for orchestrating immunity against cancer or infections. Several strategies have been explored to generate APC subsets, including enrichment from peripheral blood and differentiation from pluripotent or multipotent cells. During development, the generation of APC subsets is instructed by transcription factors (TFs).

An update on access to novel treatment for metastatic melanoma in Europe - A 2024 survey of the European melanoma registry and the European association of dermato-oncology.

Advances in cancer treatments have significantly improved their effectiveness, yet access to first-line therapies remains limited. A 2017 survey revealed that over 25 % of metastatic melanoma patients in Europe lacked access to recommended therapies. To address this, the European Association of Dermato-Oncology and the European Melanoma Registry conducted a follow-up study on the registration and reimbursement of first-line treatments.

Occurrence and risk factors of equine piroplasmosis in Portugal: A five-year retrospective study.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi. EP is endemic in most tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and there is a likelihood that it is also endemic in Portugal. This retrospective study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, prevalence, and potential risk factors of EP in our country over the past five years.

Ptosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients under long-term antiretroviral treatment.

Objective: To present cases of ptosis in HIV-1 patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) and review the existing literature.

Methods: Five HIV-1-positive patients with slowly progressive bilateral ptosis underwent a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, including imaging studies, neurophysiological testing, muscle biopsy, and genetic analysis. A literature review was conducted.

Immunodominant Molecules for the Immunodiagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection.

This study aimed to identify immunodominant molecules with potential for S. stercoralis infection immunodiagnosis. Serum samples were tested by an IgG-ELISA using Strongyloides venezuelensis soluble (AgS) and membrane (AgM) antigens, and its protein fractions (<100 and >100 kDa).

Diazocines as Guests of Cucurbituril Macrocycles: Light-Responsive Binding and Supramolecular Catalysis of Thermal Isomerization.

The photoswitching of supramolecular host-guest complexes is the basis of numerous molecularly controlled macroscopic functions, such as sol-gel transition, photopharmacology, the active transport of ions or molecules, light-powered molecular machines, and much more. The most commonly used systems employ photoactive azobenzene guests and synthetic host molecules, which bind as the stable isomers and dissociate as the forms after exposure to UV light. We present a new, extraordinarily efficient cucurbit[7]uril (CB7)/diazocine host/guest complex with inverted stability that self-assembles under UV irradiation and dissociates in the dark.

BREAST+: An augmented reality interface that speeds up perforator marking for DIEAP flap reconstruction surgery.

Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap reconstruction is a common technique for breast reconstruction surgery in cancer patients. Preoperative planning typically depends on radiological reports and 2D images to help surgeons locate abdominal perforator vessels before surgery. Here, BREAST+, an augmented reality interface for the HoloLens 2, designed to facilitate accurate marking of perforator locations on the patients' skin and to seamlessly access relevant clinical data in the operating room is proposed.

Knowledge maps as a complementary tool to learn and teach surgical anatomy in virtual reality: A case study in dental implantology.

A thorough understanding of surgical anatomy is essential for preparing and training medical students to become competent and skilled surgeons. While Virtual Reality (VR) has shown to be a suitable interaction paradigm for surgical training, traditional anatomical VR models often rely on simple labels and arrows pointing to relevant landmarks. Yet, studies have indicated that such visual settings could benefit from knowledge maps as such representations explicitly illustrate the conceptual connections between anatomical landmarks.

Comparison of sexual function between laparoscopic lateral suspension and laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy with the use of the PISQ-IR questionnaire.

Introduction And Hypothesis: We aimed to analyze the quality of sexual life of patients with apical vaginal wall prolapse who had undergone laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC).

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of sexual outcomes of a previous randomized control trial comparing LLS and LSC in 89 women with symptomatic POP stage ≥ II. We evaluated sexually active (SA) and non-sexually active women (NSA) using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR).

Enhancing the European power system resilience with a recommendation system for voluntary demand response.

Climate change, geopolitical tensions, and decarbonization targets are bringing the resilience of the European electric power system to the forefront of discussion. Among various regulatory and technological solutions, voluntary demand response can help balance generation and demand during periods of energy scarcity or renewable energy generation surplus. This work presents an open data service called Interoperable Recommender that leverages publicly accessible data to calculate a country-specific operational balancing risk, providing actionable recommendations to empower citizens toward adaptive energy consumption, considering interconnections and local grid constraints.

Effects of 12-Week Moderate-Intensity Versus High-Intensity Water-Aerobic Training on Physical Fitness, Cardiovascular Health, and Well-Being in Adults and Older Adults: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Aims: The current study aimed to compare the effects of 12 weeks of moderate versus high-intensity water aerobics on muscle strength, body composition, lipid profile, blood pressure, and quality of life in both adults and older adults.

Methods: Twenty-one women (65.19 ± 9.