Evaluating Families' Opinions of Routine Influenza Vaccination in Children Under 5 Years of Age in Spain.

Background/objectives: Influenza vaccination is the main method for preventing influenza. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the opinions of families on influenza vaccination and to determine the acceptance of influenza vaccination as a routine vaccine in children under 5 years of age.

Methods: The method used was a descriptive cross-sectional study based on an ad-hoc survey.

Diminazene Aceturate, an ACE2 activator, ameliorates testicular injury in diet-induced obese mice.

DIZE improved obesity and metabolic disturbances in DIO mice. An increase of sperm account and motility, along with improved morphology and increased male fertility was observed after DIZE treatment. Both serum and intratesticular testosterone levels showed an increase.

The Role of 3D Virtual Anatomy and Scanning Environmental Electron Microscopy in Understanding Morphology and Pathology of Ancient Bodies.

Background/objectives: Mummy studies allow to reconstruct the characteristic of a population in a specific spatiotemporal context, in terms of living conditions, pathologies and death. Radiology represents an efficient diagnostic technique able to establish the preservation state of mummified organs and to estimate the patient's pathological conditions. However, the radiological approach shows some limitations.

Population Structure Based on Microsatellite Length Polymorphism, Antifungal Susceptibility Profile, and Enzymatic Activity of Clinical Isolates in Russia.

is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen causing nosocomial transmission and invasive infections with high mortality. This study aimed to investigate the genetic relationships, enzymatic activities, and drug-resistance profiles of isolates to evaluate the population and epidemiological diversity of candidiasis in Russia. A total of 112 clinical isolates of were analyzed from May 2017 to March 2023 in 18 hospitals across Saint Petersburg, the Leningrad Region, and Moscow.

Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Recent Advances and Insights.

Focal therapy has emerged as a balanced middle ground aiming to reduce overtreatment and the risk of progression, as well as patients' distress and anxiety. Focal therapy and partial gland ablation prioritize the precise elimination of the index lesion and a surrounding safety margin to optimize treatment outcomes and lower the risk of residual disease. The paradigm of whole-gland ablation has shifted towards more targeted approaches.

Modulation of Stemness and Differentiation Regulators by Valproic Acid in Medulloblastoma Neurospheres.

Changes in epigenetic processes such as histone acetylation are proposed as key events influencing cancer cell function and the initiation and progression of pediatric brain tumors. Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug that acts partially by inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and could be repurposed as an epigenetic anticancer therapy. Here, we show that VPA reduced medulloblastoma (MB) cell viability and led to cell cycle arrest.

Role of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension.

Background: Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), mainly known for its neuroprotective properties, belongs to the IL-6 (interleukin-6) cytokine family. In contrast to IL-6, the effects of CNTF on the vasculature have not been explored. Here, we examined the role of CNTF in AngII (angiotensin II)-induced hypertension.

Atrial Fibrillation Related Titin Truncation Is Associated With Atrial Myopathy in Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Disease Models.

Background: Protein-truncating mutations in the titin gene are associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation. However, little is known about the underlying pathophysiology.

Methods: We identified a heterozygous titin truncating variant (TTNtv) in a patient with unexplained early onset atrial fibrillation and normal ventricular function.

Novel Real-Time Fluoroscopic Assessment Method of Transcatheter Heart Valve Expansion Following Balloon-Expandable TAVR.

Background: Transcatheter heart valve (THV) underexpansion after transcatheter aortic valve replacement may be associated with worse outcomes. THV expansion can be assessed fluoroscopically using a pigtail for calibration; however, the accuracy of this technique specific to transcatheter aortic valve replacement is unknown. We assessed the accuracy and reproducibility of a novel fluoroscopic method to assess THV expansion using the THV commissural post for calibration.

Prevalence of High-Risk CTA-Based Carotid Plaque-RADS Subtypes in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

Background: A modified computed tomography angiography (CTA)-based Carotid Plaque Reporting and Data System (Plaque-RADS) classification was applied to a cohort of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source to test whether high-risk Plaque-RADS subtypes are more prevalent on the ipsilateral side of stroke. With the widespread use of CTA for stroke evaluation, a CTA-based Plaque-RADS would be valuable for generalizability.

Methods: A retrospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted at a single integrated health system comprised of 3 hospitals with a comprehensive stroke center between October 1, 2015, and April 1, 2017.

Sex-Specific Clinical and Genetic Factors Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Females with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy present at a more advanced stage of the disease and have a higher risk of heart failure and death. The factors behind these differences are unclear. We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in clinical and genetic factors affecting adverse outcomes in the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry.

Definition of a European pre-vasectomy scoring system to identify patients at risk of vasectomy regret.

Introduction: Vasectomy is a widely used, safe, effective method of permanent contraception and contributes to healthy sexuality.

Aims: We have conducted a 3-step observational clinical study to develop a vasectomy regret risk score and guide patients and clinicians when discussing a vasectomy.

Methods: A 3-step approach has been followed.

Colorectal carcinogenesis in the Lynch syndromes and familial adenomatous polyposis: trigger events and downstream consequences.

Carcinogenesis encompasses processes that lead to increased mutation rates, enhanced cellular division (tumour growth), and invasive growth. Colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis in carriers of pathogenic APC (path_APC) and pathogenic mismatch repair gene (path_MMR) variants is initiated by a second hit affecting the corresponding wild-type allele. In path_APC carriers, second hits result in the development of multiple adenomas, with CRC typically emerging after an additional 20 years.

Determining the impact of mobile-based self-care applications on reducing anxiety in healthcare providers: a systematic review.

Background: Healthcare providers (HCP) face various stressful conditions in hospitals that result in the development of anxiety disorders. However, due to heavy workloads, they often miss the opportunity for self-care. Any effort to diminish this problem improves the quality of Healthcare providers and enhances patient safety.

Successful treatment with efgartigimod as an add-on therapy for acute attack of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a case report.

Background: Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune, antibody-mediated inflammatory disease of the brain characterized by the presence of IgG antibodies targeting the excitatory N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Previous research has established that the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) regulates the transport and circulation of immunoglobulins (IgG). Efgartigimod, an FcRn antagonist, has been shown to enhance patient outcomes by promoting IgG clearance, and it has exhibited substantial clinical efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Distinct pro-inflammatory/pro-angiogenetic signatures distinguish children with Long COVID from controls.

Background: Recent proteomic studies have documented that Long COVID in adults is characterized by a pro-inflammatory signature with thromboinflammation. However, if similar events happen also in children with Long COVID has never been investigated.

Methods: We performed an extensive protein analysis of blood plasma from pediatric patients younger than 19 years of age Long COVID and a control group of children with acute COVID-19, MIS-C, and healthy controls resulted similar for sex distribution and age.

Cushing syndrome.

Cushing syndrome (CS) is a constellation of signs and symptoms caused by excessive exposure to exogenous or endogenous glucocorticoid hormones. Endogenous CS is caused by increased cortisol production by one or both adrenal glands (adrenal CS) or by elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from a pituitary tumour (Cushing disease (CD)) or non-pituitary tumour (ectopic ACTH secretion), which stimulates excessive cortisol production. CS is associated with severe multisystem morbidity, including impaired cardiovascular and metabolic function, infections and neuropsychiatric disorders, which notably reduce quality of life.

Nephrectomy in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A consensus statement of the ERA Genes & Kidney Working Group.

A substantial number of patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) undergo a nephrectomy, especially in work-up for a kidney transplantation. Currently, there is no evidence-based algorithm to guide clinicians which patients should undergo nephrectomy, the optimal timing of this procedure, or the preferred surgical technique. This systematic review-based consensus statement aimed to answer important questions regarding nephrectomy in ADPKD.

Photoacoustic Imaging with Attention-Guided Deep Learning for Predicting Axillary Lymph Node Status in Breast Cancer.

Rationale And Objectives: Preoperative assessment of axillary lymph node (ALN) status is essential for breast cancer management. This study explores the use of photoacoustic (PA) imaging combined with attention-guided deep learning (DL) for precise prediction of ALN status.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included patients with histologically confirmed early-stage breast cancer from 2022 to 2024, randomly divided (8:2) into training and test cohorts.

Adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization in resected macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma (ATAC-MACRO): a multicenter real-world retrospective study.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the impact of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on the prognosis of patients with macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma (MTM-HCC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study used the clinical records of patients with resected MTM-HCC with/without adjuvant TACE at three centers between January 2015 and December 2022. The primary end point was recurrence free survival (RFS).

Pharmacokinetics of remimazolam, midazolam and diazepam in sheep.

Objective: To model pharmacokinetics of three benzodiazepines and their metabolites in sheep.

Study Design: A nonblinded, prospective, experimental study.

Animals: A group of six adult Hampshire-Suffolk cross-bred sheep (three females, three castrated males), 73 ± 3 kg (mean ± standard deviation).

Azygos Vein Stenosis in Frontotemporal Dementia Sagging Brain Syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Symptoms indistinguishable from behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) can develop in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension associated with severe brain sagging. An underlying spinal CSF leak can be identified in only a minority of these patients and the success rate of nondirected treatments, such as epidural blood patching and dural reduction surgery, is low. The disability associated with bvFTD sagging brain syndrome is high and, because of the importance of the venous system in the pathophysiology of CSF leaks in general, we have investigated the systemic venous circulation in those patients with recalcitrant symptoms.