Urethral stricture management knowledge survey among Spanish urology residents.

Introduction And Objective: Assessment of urethral stricture (US) management in a specific group of professionals, Urology Residents, in a specific region (Spain), seems to be important to determine the quality of the educational program and design educational interventions to improve it. We aim to investigate diagnosis and therapeutics practices among Urology Residents for the US management.

Materials And Methods: 20-question on-line survey was conducted among residents and junior consultants registered on the mailing list of residents and young urologists of the Spanish Association of Urology (RAEU) group of the educational period 2018-2023.

Temporo-spatial analysis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Spain: Altitude and land use as new determinants of the disease.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Currently, ALS is conceived as the result of the interaction between genetics, environmental factors, and aging. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal patterns of ALS in Spain, delving into the potential relationships between altitude, land cover, and this disease.

Characterisation of Novel HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 Alleles in a Spanish Bone Marrow Donor: DQA1*05:05:23 and DQB1*03:562.

Description of the novel HLA-DQA1*05:05:23 and -DQB1*03:562 alleles.

Treatment of anastomotic strictures after phalloplasty: An up-to-date review of the literature.

Introduction: Neo-urethral stricture formation frequently occurs after phalloplasty and most commonly affects the anastomosis between the fixed and phallic part of the neo-urethra. This narrative review gives an overview of the existing literature on how to treat these particular strictures.

Methods: This narrative review is based on a literature search conducted in June 2024.

Modulating fine flavor cocoa attributes: Impact of seed-to-bean transformation under controlled conditions on metabolite, volatile and sensory profiles.

Fine-flavored chocolates are distinguished by their complex and distinct flavor profiles, which includes notes such as floral, fruity, nutty, and spicy. This study sought to modulate the flavor development of chocolates by establishing controlled processing conditions during the transformation from seed to bean in a laboratory setting, to produce superior quality chocolates. Our experimental setup comprised two varying temperature levels (30 °C and 45 °C) and three organic acids (OAs: acetic, lactic, and citric acids) at concentrations of 1-30 g/L to adjust the pH of the transformation system.

The risk of thyroid cancer in relation to residential proximity to nuclear power plants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Ionizing radiation is a human carcinogen, and there is a public concern but limited evidence that it increases the incidence of cancer among those who live near nuclear power plants (NPPs). Previous analyses of thyroid cancer in these populations have been inconsistent, and the last synthesis was published nearly a decade ago. To address these gaps, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Enhanced interpretable thyroid disease diagnosis by leveraging synthetic oversampling and machine learning models.

Thyroid illness encompasses a range of disorders affecting the thyroid gland, leading to either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, which can significantly impact metabolism and overall health. Hypothyroidism can cause a slowdown in bodily processes, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, and cold sensitivity. Hyperthyroidism can lead to increased metabolism, causing symptoms like rapid weight loss, anxiety, irritability, and heart palpitations.

Muscular strength, endothelial function and cognitive disorders: state of the art.

In recent years, the ageing population has increasingly grown. This process carries a range of pathophysiological changes involving alterations in the skeletal muscle, vascular endothelium and brain function, becoming an important risk factor for developing cognitive disorders and cardiovascular diseases. With ageing, there is a decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength, and a relationship between muscle strength decrease and cognitive decline has been shown.

Molecular genetics in adult-onset Still's disease: next-generation sequencing in 24 patients and literature review.

Objective: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels are increasingly used for the diagnosis of monogenic systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs). However, their role in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) remains unknown. This study aims to assess the usefulness of NGS panels in AOSD patients to improve diagnosis and management of the disease.

Expert consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic non-bacterial osteitis (CNO) in adults.

Background: There is considerable practice variation in labelling, diagnosis and treatment of adults with sterile bone inflammation. We developed a expert consensus recommendations on the disease definition, diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Methods: Systematic literature review and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations-based appraisal of evidence, two Delphi surveys and three digital and in-person consensus meetings with a multidisciplinary expert panel and patient representatives.

Maintenance with 5-FU/LV-aflibercept after induction with FOLFIRI-aflibercept versus FOLFIRI-aflibercept until progression as second-line treatment in older adults with metastatic colorectal cancer: the AFEMA phase II randomized trial.

Background: The combination chemotherapy i.v. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan, and aflibercept (FOLFIRI-A) is a standard second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Castleman disease-type histopathological patterns of lymph nodes in patients with plasma cell neoplasia and POEMS syndrome.

Plasma cell neoplasia and POEMS syndrome patients may present Castleman disease (CD)-type features in lymph nodes. Our aim was to better characterize the histopathological patterns found in plasma cell neoplasia associated CD and to improve the detection of clonal plasma cell populations in the lymph node biopsies of these patients. Lymph node and bone marrow samples from six cases with plasma cell neoplasia associated CD, including POEMS syndrome and multiple myeloma were analyzed.

Multicenter study on satisfaction, stress and working conditions in nursing in Latin American countries.

to assess the job satisfaction level, stressors and working conditions of nursing professionals in some Latin American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. this is a cross-sectional study of nursing professionals working in hospital, primary care, educational, governmental, research, commercial and independent institutions. An online survey was carried out to assess satisfaction with the Font-Roja instrument, sociodemographic characteristics, stress factors and working conditions.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training conditions, results from a pan-European survey: Between vision and reality.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) still has a relatively high complication rate, underscoring the importance of high-quality training. Despite existing guidelines, real-world data on training conditions remain limited. This pan-European survey aims to systematically explore the perceptions surrounding ERCP training.

Youth Healthy Eating Index (YHEI) and Diet Adequacy in Relation to Country-Specific National Dietary Recommendations in Children and Adolescents in Five Mediterranean Countries from the DELICIOUS Project.

Background/objectives: The diet quality of younger individuals is decreasing globally, with alarming trends also in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this study was to assess diet quality and adequacy in relation to country-specific dietary recommendations for children and adolescents living in the Mediterranean area.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 2011 parents of the target population participating in the DELICIOUS EU-PRIMA project.

Carotenoids Intake and Cardiovascular Prevention: A Systematic Review.

: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a variety of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Carotenoids, a group of fat-soluble organic pigments synthesized by plants, fungi, algae, and some bacteria, may have a beneficial effect in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aims to examine and synthesize current research on the relationship between carotenoids and CVDs.

Wood Plastic Composite Based on Recycled High-Density Polyethylene and Wood Waste (Sawdust).

The current work presents the reformulation of a composite based on high-density polyethylene obtained through the recycling of blow-molded containers (rHDPE) with natural fiber residues (wood sawdust). This material is technically and industrially known as WPC (wood plastic composite). The original formulation of this material contains 34% high-density polyethylene and 60% sawdust by weight fraction, while the remaining components include additives and coupling agents such as wax (Coupling Agent TPW 813 for plastic woods), stearic acid, and color pigment.

The Chilean COVID-19 Genomics Network Biorepository: A Resource for Multi-Omics Studies of COVID-19 and Long COVID in a Latin American Population.

Although a lack of diversity in genetic studies is an acknowledged obstacle for personalized medicine and precision public health, Latin American populations remain particularly understudied despite their heterogeneity and mixed ancestry. This gap extends to COVID-19 despite its variability in susceptibility and clinical course, where ethnic background appears to influence disease severity, with non-Europeans facing higher hospitalization rates. In addition, access to high-quality samples and data is a critical issue for personalized and precision medicine, and it has become clear that the solution lies in biobanks.

SMN Deficiency Induces an Early Non-Atrophic Myopathy with Alterations in the Contractile and Excitatory Coupling Machinery of Skeletal Myofibers in the SMN∆7 Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by a deficiency of the ubiquitously expressed survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. The main pathological hallmark of SMA is the degeneration of lower motor neurons (MNs) with subsequent denervation and atrophy of skeletal muscle. However, increasing evidence indicates that low SMN levels not only are detrimental to the central nervous system (CNS) but also directly affect other peripheral tissues and organs, including skeletal muscle.

Virtual histopathology methods in medical imaging - a systematic review.

Virtual histopathology is an emerging technology in medical imaging that utilizes advanced computational methods to analyze tissue images for more precise disease diagnosis. Traditionally, histopathology relies on manual techniques and expertise, often resulting in time-consuming processes and variability in diagnoses. Virtual histopathology offers a more consistent, and automated approach, employing techniques like machine learning, deep learning, and image processing to simulate staining and enhance tissue analysis.

An Open Source Python Library for Anonymizing Sensitive Data.

Open science is a fundamental pillar to promote scientific progress and collaboration, based on the principles of open data, open source and open access. However, the requirements for publishing and sharing open data are in many cases difficult to meet in compliance with strict data protection regulations. Consequently, researchers need to rely on proven methods that allow them to anonymize their data without sharing it with third parties.