Synchrotron X-ray micro-computed tomography enhances our knowledge of the skull anatomy of a Late Triassic ecteniniid cynodont with hypercanines.

Hypercanines, or hypertrophied canines, are observed in a wide range of both extinct and extant synapsids. In non-mammaliaform cynodonts, the Permo-Triassic forerunners of mammals, long canines are not uncommon, appearing in several unrelated taxa within the clade. Among them is Trucidocynodon riograndensis, a carnivorous ecteniniid cynodont from the Late Triassic of Brazil, which exhibits a specialized dentition, including spear-shaped incisors, very long and narrow canines, and sectorial postcanines with distally oriented cusps, all of which have finely serrated margins.

Early career psychiatrists' perceptions of and training experience in electroconvulsive therapy: A cross-sectional survey across Europe.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective treatment for several major psychiatric conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, mania, and schizophrenia; nevertheless, its use remains controversial. Despite its availability in some European countries, ECT is still rarely used in others. This study aims to investigate the experiences and attitudes of early career psychiatrists (ECPs) across Europe towards ECT and to examine how their exposure to ECT influences their perceptions.

The Role of Gastrostomy and Noninvasive Ventilation in Primary Lateral Sclerosis.

Introduction/aims: Literature on the role of gastrostomy and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is limited. We aim to investigate whether PLS patients develop dysphagia requiring feeding tubes or respiratory failure necessitating NIV.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of PLS patients with a definite diagnosis followed at our center (1994-2024).

Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry.

Background And Aims: Overweight and obesity are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the general population, but their prevalence in individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and whether they confer additional risk of ASCVD independent of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) remains unclear.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 35 540 patients with HeFH across 50 countries, in the EAS FH Studies Collaboration registry. Prevalence of World Health Organization-defined body mass index categories was investigated in adults (n = 29 265) and children/adolescents (n = 6275); and their association with prevalent ASCVD.

Impact of chronic painful temporomandibular disorders on quality of life.

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) are pathologies based on multifactorial etiology and a biopsychosocial model, where anxiety becomes one of the most important psychological factors as it is the most frequent symptom presented in most of the population at some point in life. Taking into account the need for a multidisciplinary approach, we set out to evaluate the possible impact of orofacial pain on patients' quality of life. In this study, the sample population FROM the Medical School of the University of Coimbra (Portugal) was evaluated using two tools: Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (DC/TMD) and an adaptation of the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory.

The 'MOAHLFA(P) Index': An Attempt to Standardise a Widely Used Array of Descriptors of Patch-Tested Patients.

Background: Since its inception in 1980, the MOHL index (% patients who are male, have occupational, hand, or leg dermatitis, respectively) and its later evolutions until the presently used MOAHLFA(P) index (adding % patients with atopic dermatitis, face dermatitis, age 40+ years and positive reaction(s) to ≥ 1 baseline series allergen) have been intended to convey important demographic and clinical information on the patients patch tested in a certain area and time, aiding the interpretation of the observed spectrum of sensitisation.

Objectives: To examine the current usage of the MOAHLFA(P) index and suggest consolidated definitions for its single items.

Methods: A title/abstract search in Medline identified publications mentioning the evolving acronyms.

Informal care for people with dementia in Europe.

Introduction: Informal care estimates for use in health-economic models are lacking. We aimed to estimate the association between informal care time and dementia symptoms across Europe.

Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on 13,529 observations in 5,369 persons from 9 European pooled cohort or trial studies in community-dwelling persons with dementia.

Key considerations for combination therapy in Alzheimer's clinical trials: Perspectives from an expert advisory board convened by the Alzheimer's drug discovery foundation.

There is growing consensus in the Alzheimer's community that combination therapy will be needed to maximize therapeutic benefits through the course of the disease. However, combination therapy raises complex questions and decisions for study sponsors, from preclinical research through clinical trial design to regulatory, statistical, and operational considerations. In January 2024, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation convened an expert advisory board to discuss the key considerations in each of these areas.

Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke: a study on intravenous thrombolysis in patients over 80 years of age with acute ischaemic stroke.

Objectives: To investigate the safety and efficacy outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients aged >80 years with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) after IVT was approved in this patient population in several European and non-European countries during 2018-2019.

Design: This is an observational registry study using prospectively collected data from the Safe Implementation of Treatment in Stroke (SITS) registry. Comparisons will be performed between patients treated post-approval (July 2018 to December 2021) period with those treated pre-approval (June 2015 to June 2018) period using propensity score matching (PSM).

Exploring DiPP (Diisopentyl Phthalate) Neurotoxicity and the Detoxification Process in Zebrafish Larvae - A Silent Contaminant?

Diisopentyl phthalate (DiPP) is present in many consumer goods, but can be absorbed into the human body, and can disrupt the endocrine system affecting reproductive health and fetal development. Studies revealed that biological samples of pregnant women in Brazil contained DiPP, raising even more the concerns about its usage. This study investigated how DiPP concentrations (12.

Microplate fluorescence quenching for high throughput screening of affinity constants - serum albumins and zearalenones case study.

Measurements of changes in fluorescence signal is one of the most commonly applied methods for studying protein-ligand affinities. These measurements are generally carried out using cuvettes in spectrofluorometers, which can only measure one sample at a time. This makes screening procedures for multiple ligands and proteins extremely laborious, as each protein must be measured with multiple ligand concentrations, and usually in triplicate.

Elucidating on the Quaternary Structure of Viper Venom Phospholipase A Enzymes in Aqueous Solution.

This study focuses on the quaternary structure of the viper-secreted phospholipase A (PLA), a central toxin in viper envenomation. PLA enzymes catalyse the hydrolysis of the sn-2 ester bond of membrane phospholipids. Small-molecule inhibitors that act as snakebite antidotes, such as varespladib, are currently in clinical trials.

Sub-lethal effects of innovative anti-corrosion nanoadditives on the marine bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum.

Corrosion significantly affects the maritime industry. To address this issue, corrosion inhibitors are incorporated into polymeric coatings. However, some state-of-the-art inhibitors are toxic, prone to spontaneous leaching, and interact with coating components.

Balloon atrioseptostomy for transposition of the great arteries in Europe: characteristics and outcomes.

Introduction And Objectives: Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) improves oxygenation in neonates with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and restrictive foramen ovale. Currently, there is a global shortage of dedicated BAS catheters, while new unmarked catheters have recently become available at some European centers. This study aimed to characterize BAS outcomes using the currently available BAS catheters in Europe.

Combined action of dietary-based approaches and therapeutic agents on cholesterol metabolism and main related diseases.

Background: Dyslipidaemia is among the major causes of severe diseases and, despite being well-established, the hypocholesterolaemic therapies still face significant concerns about potential side effects (such as myopathy, myalgia, liver injury digestive problems, or mental fuzziness in some people taking statins), interaction with other drugs or specific foods. Accordingly, this review describes the latest developments in the most effective therapies to control and regulate dyslipidaemia.

Scope And Approach: Herein, the metabolic dynamics of cholesterol and their integration with the current therapies: statins, bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, niacin, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL), or anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating therapies), were compared focusing their effectiveness, patients' adhesion and typical side-effects.

Novel Tryptophyllin Peptides from Physalaemus centralis Inhibit Oxidative Stress-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction in Rat Aorta Preparation.

Amphibian skin is a rich source of molecules with biotechnological potential, including the tryptophyllin family of peptides. Here, we report the identification and characterization of two tryptophyllin peptides, FPPEWISR and FPWLLS-NH, from the skin of the Central Dwarf Frog, Physalaemus centralis. These peptides were identified through cDNA cloning and sequence comparison.

Direct and transgenerational effects of simvastatin on the metabolism of the amphipod Gammarus locusta.

In this study, untargeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) metabolomics was applied for the first time, to our knowledge, to assess the metabolic impact of direct and transgenerational exposure (F0 and F3 generations, respectively) of amphipods Gammarus locusta to simvastatin (SIM), a pharmaceutical widely prescribed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Results revealed the important gender-dependent nature of each of these effects. Directly exposed males showed enhanced glucose catabolism and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, in tandem with adaptations in osmotic regulation and glyoxylate metabolism.

Developing and testing the feasibility of a theory-based brief counseling intervention to promote physical activity in breast cancer survivors enrolled in the PAC-WOMAN trial.

Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), cancer survivors report engagement barriers, and existing interventions often lack comprehensive solutions. Theory-based interventions using evidence-based behavior change techniques (BCTs) have been shown to be effective in promoting PA for breast cancer survivors, although their feasibility and acceptability lack evidence. The PAC-WOMAN trial is a three-arm randomized controlled trial aimed at promoting short- and long-term PA and improving the quality of life of breast cancer survivors.

Axial spondyloarthritis.

Axial spondyloarthritis manifests as a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine. Although chronic back pain and spinal stiffness are typical initial symptoms, peripheral (ie, enthesitis, arthritis, and dactylitis) and extra-musculoskeletal (ie, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis) manifestations are also common. Timely and accurate diagnosis is challenging and relies on identifying a clinical pattern with a combination of clinical, laboratory (HLA-B27 positivity), and imaging findings (eg, structural damage on pelvic radiographs and bone marrow oedema on MRI of the sacroiliac joints).

I-motif formation in the promoter region of the B-MYB proto-oncogene.

Understanding the mechanisms of carcinogenesis is essential to combat cancer. The search for alternative targets for anticancer therapy has gained interest, particularly when focused on upstream pathways. This strategy is particularly relevant when the encoded target proteins are known - or believed - to be "undruggable", as has been reported for the B-MYB oncogene.

An exploration of the relationship between ineffective modes of mentalization and difficulties related to borderline personality disorder: A network approach.

Background: The mentalization-based perspective of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) underscores fluctuating interpersonal functionality, believed to arise from suboptimal mentalization modes, including hyper- and hypomentalizing. The connection between ineffective mentalizing and specific BPD challenges remains ambiguous. Network theory offers a unique means to investigate the hypothesis that distinct yet interconnected mental challenges ('symptoms') construct 'disorders' through their continuous mutual interactions.

Donkey endometrium: Characterization of resident immune cells.

The Burro de Miranda is an endangered donkey breed. The dynamics of the immune system of the donkey's reproductive tract are essential to manage the fertility of these animals for the improvement and survival of the species. In mares, high numbers of immune cells infiltrating the endometrium promote endometrosis, which is still to be confirmed in jennies.