Development of a Novel Clinical Classification for Radiation-induced Cystitis: The Portuguese Navy Radiation-induced Cystitis (PNRC) Scale.

Background And Objective: Radiation-induced cystitis (RIC) is an important consequence of pelvic radiotherapy that can cause high morbidity and, in extreme cases, mortality. The lack of a widely accepted classification system makes it difficult to compare treatment regimens. Our aim was to develop a new classification system covering the RIC spectrum to improve treatment comparisons and accurate incidence estimates for systematic use in clinical and research settings.

Health-related physical fitness in children among five Mediterranean countries: a cross-cultural study from the DELICIOUS project.

Background: Health-related fitness (HRF) components are essential for supporting healthy growth and reducing long-term health risks in children. This study explored cross-cultural variations in HRF among children from five Mediterranean countries-Egypt, Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Spain-within the framework of the DELICIOUS project.

Methods: A total of 860 children participated in the study, including 204 from Egypt ( = 204, 11.

Integrating literature and family insights: exploring the needs of families supporting adults with diabetes.

Introduction: The considerable influence that family members can have on diabetes management is well recognized. Therefore, it is crucial for professionals to acknowledge the impact of the diagnosis on family members. This study aimed to comprehensively identify and understand the needs of family members with an adult diagnosed with diabetes using a two-phased research design.

Assessment of complications in third molar surgery performed by resident surgeons: A comprehensive analysis.

Introduction: Third molar extractions present a wide spectrum of reported complications, spanning from 2.6 % to 30.9 %, making it challenging to predict outcomes for individual patients.

Totally implantable venous access devices: A restrospective analysis of morbidity and risk factors in a hospital with multi-technique approaches.

Background: Totally implantable venous central access devices (TIVADs) can be implanted by open surgery or by direct puncture in the subclavian (ScV), internal jugular (IJV) or cephalic (CephV) veins.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 201 patients. Thirty-day follow-up data was analyzed to compare the outcomes of different techniques and evaluation of risk factors.

Subregional pedoclimatic conditions with contrasted UV-radiation shape host-microbiome and metabolome phenotypes in the grape berry.

This study used integrative omics to address the response of key elements of the grapevine holobiont to contrasted pedoclimatic conditions found in distinct subregions of Douro Valley (Portugal). A metabolic OPLS-DA model predicted with 100 % accuracy the geographic origin of berries; higher UV radiation, higher temperature and lower precipitation stimulated the accumulation of phenolic acids, flavonols and malvidin conjugates, in detriment of amino acids, organic acids, flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins and non-malvidin anthocyanins. Metabarcoding showed a trade-off between bacteria and fungal diversity among subregions, with , and acting as intraregional microbial markers.

Artificial intelligence and blockchain in clinical trials: enhancing data governance efficiency, integrity, and transparency.

This article examines the transformative potential of blockchain technology and its integration with artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical trials, focusing on their combined ability to enhance integrity, operational efficiency, and transparency in the data governance. Through an in-depth analysis of recent advancements, the article highlights how blockchain and AI address critical challenges, including patient data privacy, regulatory compliance, and security. The article also identifies key barriers to adoption in the mentioned integration, such as scalability limitations, association with existing healthcare systems, and high implementation costs.

Effectiveness of Combined Physical and Psychological Interventions on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Adult Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Systematic Review Protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of combined physical and psychological interventions on anxiety and depression symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Introduction: By 2030, COPD is expected to be the third-leading cause of death and the seventh in terms of overall health impact, measured in disability-adjusted life years. As with other comorbidities, anxiety and depression disorders influence the prognosis.

Stress assessment instruments for hospitalized preterm newborns: scoping review.

Background: The highly technological environment existing in intensive care units, essential for the survival of the newborn, contributes with a potentially devastating and traumatic effect, especially in preterm newborns and in their future lives, due to the early and frequent exposure to multiple stressors. The preterm newborn must be observed in a systematic and structured way, before, during and after any intervention, aiming at the correct assessment and interpretation of his behaviour and signs of stress, and at the timely planning of interventions that minimize and prevent stress. The objective of this review is to identify and map the instruments for assessing stress in preterm newborns admitted to neonatal units in scientific evidence.

Solvatochromism and cis-trans isomerism in azobenzene-4-sulfonyl chloride.

Solvatochromism exhibited by azobenzene-4-sulfonyl chloride (here abbreviated as Azo-SCl) has been investigated in a series of non-polar, polar-aprotic and polar-protic solvents. The UV-vis spectra of Azo-SCl exhibit two long-wavelength bands, observed at 321-330 nm (band-I) and 435-461 nm (band-II), which are ascribed to the π*-π (S ← S) and π*-n (S ← S) transitions, respectively. The shorter wavelength band indicates a reversal in solvatochromism, from negative to positive solvatochromism, for a solvent with a dielectric constant of 32.

Investigation of genes expression of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway and AMPs in the presence of Borrelia spirochetes in Ixodes ricinus.

Multicellular animals need to control the spread of invading pathogens. This is a particular challenge for blood-feeding vectors such as ticks, which ingest large amounts of blood potentially laden with harmful microorganisms. Ticks have a basic innate immune system and protect themselves from infection through innate immune responses involving pathways such as Janus kinase (JAK) or the signalling transducer activator of transcription (STAT).

Linking Research Data with Physically Preserved Research Materials in Chemistry.

Results of scientific work in chemistry can usually be obtained in the form of materials and data. A big step towards transparency and reproducibility of the scientific work can be gained if scientists publish their data in research data repositories in a FAIR manner. Nevertheless, in order to make chemistry a sustainable discipline, obtaining FAIR data is insufficient and a comprehensive concept that includes preservation of materials is needed.

A gamma-ray spectrometer based on MAPD-3NM-2 and LaBr(ce) and LSO scintillators for hydrogen detection on planetary surfaces.

The presented work is dedicated to the detection of hydrogen, using detectors based on a MAPD (Micropixel Avalanche Photodiode) array based on new MAPD-3NM-2 type photodiodes and two different scintillators (LaBr(Ce) and LSO(Ce)). The physical parameters of the MAPD photodiode used in the study and the intrinsic background of the scintillators were investigated. For the 2.

Fast updating feedback from piriform cortex to the olfactory bulb relays multimodal identity and reward contingency signals during rule-reversal.

While animals readily adjust their behavior to adapt to relevant changes in the environment, the neural pathways enabling these changes remain largely unknown. Here, using multiphoton imaging, we investigate whether feedback from the piriform cortex to the olfactory bulb supports such behavioral flexibility. To this end, we engage head-fixed male mice in a multimodal rule-reversal task guided by olfactory and auditory cues.

Diversity in the medical research ecosystem: a descriptive scientometric analysis of over 49 000 studies and 150 000 authors published in high-impact medical journals between 2007 and 2022.

Objectives: Health research that significantly impacts global clinical practice and policy is often published in high-impact factor (IF) medical journals. These outlets play a pivotal role in the worldwide dissemination of novel medical knowledge. However, researchers identifying as women and those affiliated with institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been largely under-represented in high-IF journals across multiple fields of medicine.

Efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments in inclusion body myositis: a systematic review.

Objective: To identify the best evidence on the efficacy of treatment interventions for inclusion body myositis (IBM) and to describe their safety.

Methods: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of pharmacological treatments of adults with IBM, conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook, updating a previous Cochrane review. The search strategy was run on Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.

Brain-related sexual dimorphism in tuberous sclerosis complex: an overlooked matter.

Biological sex strongly impacts tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) symptoms like epilepsy and autism. However, the mechanisms driving this influence remain largely unknown. Here, we discuss how sex-specific changes in brain synapses and neural networks may drive these differences, offering insights that could be crucial for developing targeted therapies for TSC.

Awareness for the risk of adverse outcomes of female patients after ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: Women increased risk of early mortality following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been attributed to older age, more comorbidities, and less primary revascularization (PCI). Data on long-term outcomes is conflicting, and younger patients' specific evidence is limited.

Purpose: Compare gender outcomes following STEMI within a cohort of younger (≤55 years) and older (>55 years) individuals.

Airway clearance techniques for people with acute exacerbation of COPD: a scoping review.

Introduction: Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) often involve mucus hypersecretion. Thus, management of sputum retention is critical. However, the use of airway clearance techniques (ACTs) in people with AECOPD across different healthcare settings and factors influencing their selection remain unclear.

GPCR oligomerization across classes: A2AR-mediated regulation of mGlu5R activation.

The adenosine A receptor (AR), a class A GPCR, is a known player in neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, and is also implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent studies have revealed its oligomerization with metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR), a class C G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that exists in the homodimeric form. Simultaneous activation of both receptors synergistically enhances mGluR-mediated effects in the hippocampus.

New insights into chitosan-Ag nanocomposites synthesis: Physicochemical aspects of formation, structure-bioactivity relationship and mechanism of antioxidant activity.

Herein, a novel approach to the controlled formation of chitosan-Ag nanocomposites (NCs) with different structures and tunable chemical/biological properties was proposed. The chitosan-Ag NCs were obtained using hydrothermal synthesis and varying the concentrations of components. The hypothesis of chitosan-Ag NC synthesis using polysaccharide coils as a "microreactor" system was confirmed.

Baclofen modulates the immune response after spinal cord injury with locomotor benefits.

Background And Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition that affects motor and sensory functions below the injury site. The consequences of SCI are devastating for the patients, and although significant efforts have been done in the last years, there is no effective therapy. Baclofen has emerged in the last few years as an interesting drug in the SCI field.

HBM4EU E-waste study - An untargeted metabolomics approach to characterize metabolic changes during E-waste recycling.

E-waste contains hazardous chemicals that may be a direct health risk for workers involved in recycling. We conducted an untargeted metabolomics analysis of urine samples collected from male e-waste processing workers to explore metabolic changes associated with chemical exposures in e-waste recycling in Belgium, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. Questionnaire data and urine samples were obtained from workers involved in the processing of e-waste (sorting, dismantling, shredding, pre-processing, metal, and non-metal processing), as well as from controls with no known occupational exposure.

Gabapentin impairs visual development in zebrafish via retinal apoptosis and thyroid disruption.

Gabapentin (GBP), a pharmaceutical widely used for seizures and neuropathic pain, has emerged as a contaminant in global aquatic environments, raising concerns about its ecological impact. This study investigated the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of GBP (0, 1, 10, 1000 μg/L) on visual development in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Behavioral assays showed that GBP exposure enhanced light sensitivity, as indicated by a significant increase in total travel distance (TTD) in all exposure groups compared to controls.