Outcome measures in muscular dystrophy rehabilitation: an ICF content comparison approach to the most commonly used MD scales.

Introduction: Functioning is the reason to be of rehabilitation as it is essential to the lives of people who suffer from a disease. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) can help in designing a functioning profile of a patient, identifying needs for rehabilitation plans and measuring the results of an intervention.

Objective: To identify the outcome measurement instruments reported in clinical studies in muscular dystrophies (MDs) and provide an ICF content analysis.

Bipyramidal gold nanoparticles-assisted plasmonic photothermal therapy for ocular applications.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) play a key role in the field of nanomedicine due to their fascinating plasmonic properties as well as their great biocompatibility. An intriguing application is the use of plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) mediated by anisotropic AuNPs irradiated with a near-infrared (NIR) laser for treating ocular diseases in ophthalmology. For this purpose, bipyramidal-shaped AuNPs (BipyAu), which were surface-functionalized with three different organic ligands (citrate, polystyrene sulphonate (PSS), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)), were synthesized.

Comparative study of polymeric nanoparticles and traditional agents in dental implant decontamination.

Peri-implant diseases, such as peri-implantitis, affect up to 47% of dental implant recipients, primarily due to biofilm formation. Current decontamination methods vary in efficacy, prompting interest in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for their antimicrobial and protein-specific cleaning properties. This study evaluated the efficacy of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) in decontaminating titanium dental implants by removing proteinaceous pellicle layers and resisting recontamination.

Investigating the Association Between Heavy Metals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children: An Exploratory Study.

Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with affecting children's neurodevelopment, particularly increasing the risk of developing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current exploratory study aims to investigate potential associations between presence of 15 different heavy metals in urine and ADHD. A total of 190 urine samples of participants from clinical and non-clinical population (non-ADHD = 66; ADHD = 124) aged between 6 and 15 years from Barcelona and Tarragona (Spain) were analysed.

Calcium levels modulate embryo yield in microspore embryogenesis.

Calcium (Ca) is a universal signaling cation with a prominent role as second messenger in many different plant processes, including sexual reproduction. However, there is much less knowledge about the involvement of Ca during embryogenesis processes. In this work we performed a study of Ca levels during the different stages of microspore embryogenesis in , with special attention to how Ca can influence the occurrence of different embryogenic structures with different embryogenic potential.

Pooled safety analysis of two phase 3 studies investigating trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is approved as monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab showed good tolerability in the phase 3 SOLSTICE (first-line) and SUNLIGHT (later-line) trials. This pooled analysis was performed to further characterize the safety of FTD/TPI plus bevacizumab and to compare safety in untreated and previously treated patients with mCRC.

Decoding the Molecular Basis of the Specificity of an Anti-sTn Antibody.

The mucin -glycan sialyl Tn antigen (sTn, Neu5Acα2-6GalNAcα1--Ser/Thr) is an antigen associated with different types of cancers, often linked with a higher risk of metastasis and poor prognosis. Despite efforts to develop anti-sTn antibodies with high specificity for diagnostics and immunotherapy, challenges in eliciting high-affinity antibodies for glycan structures have limited their effectiveness, leading to low titers and short protection durations. Experimental structural insights into anti-sTn antibody specificity are lacking, hindering their optimization for cancer cell recognition.

and infection in a male prison in Spain.

Background: General conditions in a prison may facilitate water- or food-borne infections.

Methods: Detection of intestinal parasites was achieved in 471 male prison inmates by standard microscopic procedures on their stool samples. Positive samples were processed by PCR amplification of a 600-bp fragment of the SSU rRNA gene and partial sequences of the genes.

Challenges in the transition of care for rare connective tissue diseases: results from the 2023 ERN ReCONNET Transition of Care Task Force survey.

Objectives: Two different European Reference Networks cover CTDs with paediatric onset, the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Connective Tissue Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) and the European Reference Network on Rare Immunological Disorders (ERN RITA). The transition of care is a significant focus, with ReCONNET centres actively addressing this through updated programs. Despite these efforts, challenges persist.

Green Synthesis of Cellulose Acetate Mixed Matrix Membranes: Structure-Function Characterization.

Although membrane technology is widely used in different gas separation applications, membrane manufacturers need to reduce the environmental impact during the membrane fabrication process within the framework of the circular economy by replacing toxic solvents, oil-based polymers, and such by more sustainable alternatives. These include environmentally friendly materials, such as biopolymers, green solvents, and surfactant free porous fillers. This work promotes the use of environmentally sustainable and low toxic alternatives, introducing the novel application of cellulose acetate (CA) as a biopolymer in combination with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a greener solvent and different inorganic fillers (Zeolite-A, ETS-10, AM-4 and ZIF-8) prepared without the use of toxic solvents or reactants.

Boosting flexible laser-induced graphene supercapacitors performance through double pass laser processing.

This study proposes a simple and cost-effective approach to enhance the performance of supercapacitors based on laser-induced graphene (LIG). The use of two consecutive laser passes using the same CO engraver on polyimide film led to the expansion in the size of the pores, the increase in the graphitization degree, and the densification of the produced material. These changes in the morphology and chemical structure of the LIG impacted positively its electrochemical performance when it was used as an electrode for supercapacitors.

Gut dysbiosis is associated with difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA) refers to a subset of patients who fail to achieve adequate disease control after the use of two or more biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) with different mechanisms of action, while maintaining active inflammatory disease. This presents a therapeutic challenge and highlights the need to explore contributing factors such as the potential role of the gut microbiota. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the gut microbiota and inflammation in patients with D2T RA in comparison to patients with easy-to-treat RA (E2T RA).

Eosinophils: old cells, new directions.

Eosinophils are polymorphonuclear cells that have progressively gained attention due to their involvement in multiple diseases and, more recently, in various homeostatic processes. Their well-known roles range from asthma and parasitic infections to less prevalent diseases such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and hypereosinophilic syndrome. In recent years, various biological therapies targeting these cells have been developed, altering the course of eosinophilic pathologies.

Enhancing Thermogalvanic Efficiency through Electrostatic Interaction in Cationic Hydrogels.

Thermoelectric hydrogels have the potential to be used in energy conversion devices for harnessing ubiquitous low-grade heat and generating useful electricity. This can be achieved through the use of thermogalvanic cells based on redox chemistry. While significant attention has been focused toward maximizing voltage for a given temperature gradient in liquid-based thermocells, it is crucial to consider both voltage and current density for accurate power output estimation in the case of gel-based thermocells.

On the breakdown of Förster energy transfer theory due to solvent effects: atomistic simulations unveil distance-dependent dielectric screening in calmodulin.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a powerful technique used to investigate the conformational preferences of biosystems, and molecular simulations have emerged as an ideal complement to FRET due to their ability to provide structural models that can be compared with experiments. This synergy is however hampered by the approximations underlying Förster theory regarding the electronic coupling between the participating dyes: a dipole-dipole term attenuated by a simple dielectric screening factor 1/ that depends on the refractive index of the medium. Whereas the limits of the dipole approximation are well-known, detailed insights on how environment effects deviate from the 1/ assumption and modify the distance dependence that characterizes FRET as a spectroscopic ruler are still not well understood, especially in biosystems characterized by significant structural disorder.

Exploiting spatial isomerism to modulate the assembled phase and rheological response of compositionally identical sugar-based surfactants.

For decades, extensive surfactant libraries have been developed to meet the requirements of downstream applications. However, achieving functional diversity has traditionally demanded a vast array of chemical motifs and synthetic pathways. Herein, a new approach for surfactant design based on structural isomerism is utilised to access a wide spectrum of functionalities.

What Are These Anterior T Waves?: A High-Risk Ischemic Pattern That Should Be Recognized.

An 80-year-old woman with history of intermittent chest pain presented with a new self-limited episode. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed while she was asymptomatic, showing large T waves in V to V. We report a not so known electrocardiographic pattern that can be particularly valuable for identifying patients at high risk of extensive myocardial infarction and its subsequent complications.

Pickering Syndrome Manifesting as Recurrent Pulmonary Edema in an Older Woman With Renal Artery Stenosis.

Pickering syndrome, characterized by recurrent episodes of flash pulmonary edema (FPE) and renal impairment, is associated with renal artery stenosis (RAS). This case highlights its manifestation and management in an older adult patient. An 86-year-old woman with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and a single functioning kidney presented with recurrent FPE episodes.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Left Main Chronic Total Occlusion in Pediatric Patients.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in pediatric patients is rare, especially in cases of chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA), with scarce evidence. These are associated with poorer prognostic outcomes, highlighting the need for timely intervention. In addition, its unique and entirely different pathophysiology compared to that well-studied in adults makes it a clinically challenging scenario for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Ultra-High-Density Catheter Ablation of Purkinje Premature Ventricular Contractions Causing Electrical Storm.

The postacute myocardial infarction electrical storm is a life-threatening entity. Resistance to ischemia in Purkinje fibers may be the origin of short-coupled premature ventricular contractions that trigger severe arrhythmic events. We present a case where the use of emergency catheter ablation, guided by a 3D navigation system and an ultra-high-density mapping catheter, successfully terminated the arrhythmic storm.

The Role of Intraarticular Injections of Hyaluronic Acid and Platelet Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Articular Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this in brief article was to determine the current role of intraarticular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of painful KOA. It has been reported that the average duration of effectiveness (pain relief) of one injection of extended-release HA is around one year. Kellgren-Lawrence grade (I-II versus III-IV), male gender, and older age are associated with a longer duration of effectiveness.

P2X7R antagonism suppresses long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following traumatic brain injury in mice.

Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is one of the most common life-quality reducing consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, to date there are no pharmacological approaches to predict or to prevent the development of PTE. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a cationic ATP-dependent membrane channel that is expressed throughout the brain.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Factors Related to the Diagnosis and Characteristics of Selective Screening for its Detection.

Backgrounds: Breech presentation, family history, and physical examination are the most recognized risk factors for DDH, which form the basis of selective screening. However, this approach can lead to late diagnosis, invasive treatments, and complications. This study analyzes the effectiveness of selective screening and identifies additional factors related to DDH.

Kaposi's sarcoma immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: A forgotten entity nowadays.

The appearance of antiviral therapy has led to a change in the prognosis and clinical manifestations of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infections and Kaposi's sarcoma. However, there are still countries in which access is inadequate and the disease progresses toward disseminated forms with an unfavorable outcome. We present two patients who presented with skin lesions that progressed for a month, compatible with disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma in the context of HIV.