Long-term outcomes of epilepsy surgery: A 25-year experience from a tertiary referral center.

Objective: Despite pharmacological advances in epilepsy treatment, one-third of patients remain pharmacoresistant and may require surgery. Despite extensive literature on epilepsy surgery, studies with follow-ups longer than 5 years are rare. Our goal was to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing epilepsy surgery at our center, with a minimum follow-up of 15 years.

Aiming for TICI 4: angiographic and ultrasonographic predictors of parenchymal hemorrhage after successful thrombectomy.

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation after thrombectomy is associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to assess post-thrombectomy angiographic signs and increased blood flow on transcranial Doppler as potential predictive factors for parenchymal hemorrhage after successful endovascular stroke treatment.

Methods: This cohort study included consecutive patients who underwent endovascular stroke treatment at a comprehensive stroke center with successful recanalization and 24-hour follow-up imaging available.

The Potential of Phage Treatment to Inactivate Planktonic and Biofilm-Forming .

is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections and exhibits a strong resistance to antibiotics. An alternative treatment option for bacterial infections is the use of bacteriophages (or phages). In this study, two distinct phages, VB_PaD_phPA-G (phPA-G) and VB_PaN_phPA-Intesti (phPA-Intesti), were used as single suspensions or in a phage cocktail to inactivate the planktonic cells and biofilms of .

High-Caloric Diets in Adolescence Impair Specific GABAergic Subpopulations, Neurogenesis, and Alter Astrocyte Morphology.

We compared the effects of two different high-caloric diets administered to 4-week-old rats for 12 weeks: a diet rich in sugar (30% sucrose) and a cafeteria diet rich in sugar and high-fat foods. We focused on the hippocampus, particularly on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system, including the Ca-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR), calbindin (CB), and the neuropeptides somatostatin (SST) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). We also analyzed the density of cholinergic varicosities, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (), reelin (), and cyclin-dependent kinase-5 () mRNA levels, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression.

Epstein-Barr virus associated colitis in kidney transplant patients: a case series.

Background: Gastrointestinal complications are common in kidney transplant (KT) patients and can be a consequence of the chronic use of immunosuppression. The differential diagnosis of colitis in KT patients includes intolerance to immunosuppressive agents, namely mycophenolate mofetil, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and opportunistic infections. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may cause post-transplant colitis or trigger IBD, although is seldom thought as the causative pathogen.

Effect of Bacteriophages against Biofilms of on Food Processing Surfaces.

The bacterial adhesion to food processing surfaces is a threat to human health, as these surfaces can serve as reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria. is an easily biofilm-forming bacterium involved in surface contamination that can lead to the cross-contamination of food. Despite the application of disinfection protocols, contamination through food processing surfaces continues to occur.

New Ruthenium-Cyclopentadienyl Complexes Affect Colorectal Cancer Hallmarks Showing High Therapeutic Potential.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most deadly cancers worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies have low success rates and several side effects. This relevant clinical problem requires the discovery of new and more effective therapeutic alternatives.

Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type: clinical and neurophysiological features of two index cases.

Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type (FAF) is a rare multisystemic disorder caused by mutations in the gelsolin gene. The clinical presentation is typically characterised by a triad of ophthalmic, neurological and dermatological findings. FAF has been reported in several countries, primarily in Finland and recently in Portugal.

Single-phase CT angiography predicts ASPECTS decay and may help determine when to repeat CT before thrombectomy.

Objetives: Time is relative in large-vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS). We aimed to evaluate the rate of inter-hospital ASPECTS decay in patients transferred from a primary (PSC) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC); and to identify patients that should repeat computed tomography (CT) before thrombectomy.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive anterior circulation LVO-AIS transferred patients.

Biotinylated Polymer-Ruthenium Conjugates: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Model.

The need for new therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer is a clinically relevant problem that needs to be solved. Using a multi-targeting approach to enhance cancer cell uptake, we synthesized a new family of ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes envisaging simultaneous active and passive targeting, using biotin and polylactide (PLA), respectively. All compounds with the general formula, [Ru(η-CpR)(P)(2,2'-bipy-4,4'-PLA-biotin)][CFSO], where R is -H or -CH and P is P(CH), P(CHF) or P(CHOCH), were tested against triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 showing IC values between 2.

Ruthenium(II)-Cyclopentadienyl-Derived Complexes as New Emerging Anti-Colorectal Cancer Drugs.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, urging the need for new and more efficient therapeutic approaches. Ruthenium complexes have emerged as attractive alternatives to traditional platinum-based compounds in the treatment of CRC. This work aims to evaluate anti-CRC properties, as well as to identify the mechanisms of action of ruthenium complexes with the general formula [Ru(η-CHR)(PPh)(4,4'-R'-2,2'-bipyridine)][CFSO], where R = CH, CHO or CHOH and R' = H, CH, CHOH, or dibiotin ester.

Biomineralisation to Increase Earth Infrastructure Resilience.

The vulnerability of buildings and structures to rain and flooding due to a lack of adaptive capacity is an issue all over the world. Exploring the bio-resources availability and engineering performance is crucial to increase infrastructure's resilience. The current study analyses earth-based mortars using mineral precipitation as a biostabiliser (bio) and compares their performance with cement-based mortars.

Microglia modulate blood flow, neurovascular coupling, and hypoperfusion via purinergic actions.

Microglia, the main immunocompetent cells of the brain, regulate neuronal function, but their contribution to cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation has remained elusive. Here, we identify microglia as important modulators of CBF both under physiological conditions and during hypoperfusion. Microglia establish direct, dynamic purinergic contacts with cells in the neurovascular unit that shape CBF in both mice and humans.

Movements and behaviors during spontaneous arousals in healthy young adults: an intermediary stage between wakefulness and sleep?

Background: Arousals are common, sudden and transient elevations of the vigilance level during normal sleep, but arousal-associated behaviors have not yet been studied.

Objective: We aimed to describe the duration as well as motor and autonomic patterns associated with arousals across sleep stages in normal subjects.

Methods: The spontaneous arousals of 25 healthy young adults were randomly analyzed on polysomnography with body- and face-oriented video cameras.

Chain-End Effects on Supramolecular Poly(ethylene glycol) Polymers.

In this work we present a fundamental analysis based on small-angle scattering, linear rheology and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments of the role of different hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) types on the structure and dynamics of chain-end modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in bulk. As such bifunctional PEG with a molar mass below the entanglement mass Me is symmetrically end-functionalized with three different hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) groups: thymine-1-acetic acid (thy), diamino-triazine (dat) and 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (upy). A linear block copolymer structure and a Newtonian-like dynamics is observed for PEG-thy/dat while results for PEG-upy structure and dynamics reveal a sphere and a network-like behavior, respectively.

Design Service Life of RC Structures with Self-Healing Behaviour to Increase Infrastructure Carbon Savings.

Corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) structures costs the UK GBP 23b annually and is one of the main durability problems contributing to the development of rust, spalling, cracking, delamination, and structural deterioration. This paper intends to demonstrate the benefit of using tailored self-healing bacteria-based concrete for RC corrosion minimisation and service life increase. The purpose was to evaluate the enhancement in the lifespan of the structure exposed to a harsh marine microenvironment by utilising a probabilistic performance-based method.

Pathophysiology of Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Throughout the Different Stages of Ischemic Stroke and Its Implication on Hemorrhagic Transformation and Recovery.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic interface responsible for maintaining the central nervous system homeostasis. Its unique characteristics allow protecting the brain from unwanted compounds, but its impairment is involved in a vast number of pathological conditions. Disruption of the BBB and increase in its permeability are key in the development of several neurological diseases and have been extensively studied in stroke.

Complete Genome Sequences of 16 Mycoplasma bovis Isolates from Canadian Bison and Cattle.

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 12 isolates cultured from Canadian bison and 4 cultured from Canadian cattle. The sequences are of value for understanding the phylogenetic relationship between cattle and bison isolates and will aid in elucidating the genetic basis for virulence and host specificity.

Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Following Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis: 2 Cases From Portugal.

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) usually presents as a monophasic disease. Symptomatic HSVE relapsing with seizures, encephalopathy, or involuntary movements associated with anti--methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis have been recently reported. We report 2 cases of adult post-HSVE anti-NMDAR encephalitis from Portugal.

A New Family of Iron(II)-Cyclopentadienyl Compounds Shows Strong Activity Against Colorectal and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

A family of compounds with the general formula [Fe(η-CH)(CO)(PPh)(NCR)] has been synthesized (NCR = benzonitrile (); 4-hydroxybenzonitrile (); 4-hydroxymethylbenzonitrile (); 4-aminobenzonitrile (); 4-bromobenzonitrile (); and, 4-chlorocinnamonitrile ()). All of the compounds were obtained in good yields and were completely characterized by standard spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Compounds , , and crystallize in the monoclinc P21/c space group and packing is determined by short contacts between the phosphane phenyl rings and cyclopentadienyl (compounds and ) or π-π lateral interactions between the benzonitrile molecules (complex ).

Junctional Zone in Infertile Women: A Three-dimensional Ultrasound Study.

Objective:  To analyze the interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility of the visualization and continuity of the juncional zone (JZ) by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in infertile women, and to evaluate the sociodemographic, hormonal, and structural factors that influence these assessments.

Methods:  A prospective study conducted at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit of Hospital Senhora da Oliveira, in the city of Guimarães, Portugal. Transvaginal 3D ultrasonography was performed, and 2 volumes were generated per case.

Investigation of a Reduction in Tylosin on the Prevalence of Liver Abscesses and Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterococci in Feedlot Cattle.

Recent concerns over linkages between antimicrobial resistance in human pathogens and antimicrobial use in livestock have prompted researchers to investigate management strategies that reduce the current reliance on in-feed tylosin to control liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. A total of 7,576 crossbred yearlings were allocated to the study (~253 animals/pen, 10 replicate pens per treatment) and individually randomized to one of three treatments. Tylosin phosphate (11 ppm) was included in-feed (1) for the first 125 days on feed (DOF) (), (2) for DOF 41 to 161 (), or (3) for the entire feeding period (; day 0-161).