Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Social Network-Based Intervention for Adolescents Undergoing Weight Loss Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/objectives: Digital interventions can have a positive effect on the health-related behaviors of adolescents. However, it is unclear if social network-based interventions using Facebook can help to optimize medical treatment as usual (TAU) for adolescent obesity in public health care centers. We examined the feasibility, usability, and effectiveness of APOLO-Teens, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Facebook-based intervention as a supplement to TAU on changing eating habits/behaviors, physical activity levels, and psychological functioning of adolescents with overweight/obesity.

Factors That May Affect Breast Milk Macronutrient and Energy Content: A Critical Review.

This review aimed to be comprehensive and to critically analyze the factors that may affect the macronutrient and energy content of breast milk. Systematic reviews were prioritized, even though other types of literature reviews on the subject, as well as studies not included in these reviews, were included. Reported factors that potentially affect the macronutrient and energy content of breast milk comprise: maternal factors, such as age, nutritional status, dietary intake, smoking habits, lactation stage, circadian rhythmicity, and the use of galactagogues; obstetrical factors, such as parity, preterm delivery, multiple pregnancies, labor and delivery, and pregnancy morbidities including intrauterine growth restriction, hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes mellitus; and newborn factors, including sexual dimorphism, and anthropometry at birth.

Phenolic acids inhibit local and systemic effects induced by Bothrops brazili venom.

Bothropic envenomation induces local damage, such as edema, necrosis, and hemorrhage, as well as systemic effects, including cardiovascular, renal and coagulation disturbances. While serum therapy remains, the primary treatment used for snakebites and efficiently neutralizes systemic damage, it inadequately addresses local tissue injury. Aiming to understand the pathophysiological mechanism of Bothrops brazili envenomation and explore novel complementary treatments, this study evaluated the local and systemic injuries caused by B.

Hydrogel dressings loaded with anticancer/antimicrobial Ag(I) camphorimine complexes for treatment of malignant wounds.

The treatment of skin wounds caused by metastatic lesions is often difficult because not many medicines exist that simultaneously act on cancer cells and bacteria. Such difficulty delays and sometimes compromises the treatment of oncologic patients. To contribute to face that problem a set of silver camphorimine compounds with antibacterial properties were assessed for activity against cancer cells A375 and MeWo melanoma cells using the MTT assay.

Stigma among primary care providers: characterizing attitudes and behaviors in the care of people with chronic hepatitis in the Philippines.

Background: Stigma is a key barrier to compassionate primary health care delivery and people-centered care (PCC), but is understudied among primary care providers (PCPs). Hepatitis B and C have a significant burden of disease in the Philippines, where there is limited awareness of and access to screening and treatment. Patient-reported stigma has been identified as a significant barrier to hepatitis care in the Philippines, but PCP stigma-related attitudes and behaviors have not been explored in this context.

Cross-cultural data on romantic love and mate preferences from 117,293 participants across 175 countries.

Psychological studies on close relationships have often overlooked cultural diversity, dynamic processes, and potentially universal principles that shape intimate partnerships. To address the limited generalizability of previous research and advance our understanding of romantic love experiences, mate preferences, and physical attractiveness, we conducted a large-scale cross-cultural survey study on these topics. A total of 404 researchers collected data in 45 languages from April to August 2021, involving 117,293 participants from 175 countries.

Current nutrition practices in premature and low-birth-weight newborns: A descriptive cohort study.

Background: This study aims to describe the nutrition approach to preterm and low-birth-weight infants during hospitalization in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods: Descriptive cohort study on preterm infants with gestational age ≤34 weeks or birth weight ≤1500 g admitted for hospitalization between January 2021 and December 2022. Data were collected from medical records.

Polyvinyl alcohol/casein hydrogels with oxymatrine eluting ability for cancer-related wound management.

Malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) are cancer-related complications that arise from metastases in advanced cancers. They appear in 5-14% of cancer patients, with higher prevalence in breast (66%) and head and neck (24%) cancers. Novel therapeutic routes for the management of MFWs rely on plant-based treatments, oxymatrine (OXM), an alkaloid derived from a Chinese plant with anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Acute Effects of a Fast-Food Meal Versus a Mediterranean Food Meal on the Autonomic Nervous System, Lung Function, and Airway Inflammation: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to assess the acute effects of two isoenergetic but micronutrient-diverse meals-a Mediterranean-like meal (MdM) and a fast food-like meal (FFM)-on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), lung function, and airway inflammation response.

Methods: Forty-six participants were enrolled in a randomized crossover clinical trial, consuming two isoenergetic meals: FFM (burger, fries, and sugar-sweetened drink) and MdM (vegetable soup, whole-wheat pasta, salad, olive oil, sardines, fruit, and water). Pupillometry assessed parasympathetic (MaxD, MinD, Con, ACV, MCV) and sympathetic (ADV, T75) nervous system outcomes.

Long-term Results of Topical Insulin Treatment for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of topical insulin in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects that are refractory to the standard treatment.

Methods: A retrospective, hospital-based, clinical study was performed on 17 eyes of 16 patients with different types of refractory persistent epithelial defects who were treated with topical insulin. The treatment was continued until the defect either was resolved or persisted after three months.

Diabetes Remission After Bariatric Surgery: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

Introduction: Treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in patients with obesity can be challenging. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has shown promising results in improving glycemic control and even achieving remission in T2DM patients with obesity. However, the durability of glycemic improvements in T2DM patients following MBS remains insufficiently studied.

Low friction hydrogel with diclofenac eluting ability for dry eye therapeutic contact lenses.

When placed in the eye, contact lenses (CLs) disturb the tear fluid and affect the natural tribological behaviour of the eye. The disruption in the contact mechanics between the ocular tissues can increase frictional shear stress and ocular dryness, causing discomfort. Ultimately, continuous CLs wear can trigger inflammation which is particularly critical for people suffering from dry eye.

[Red eye : common ocular pathologies in outpatient care].

Red eye is a common condition characterized by eye redness, often accompanied by itching, burning, pain, or discharge. This condition can be caused by a multitude of factors, ranging from minor irritations to severe infections. Red eyes are a frequent complaint in outpatient practice.

Citicoline eluting hydrogels for therapeutic contact lenses intended to treat neurodegenerative diabetic ocular diseases.

Ophthalmic neurodegenerative diseases related to diabetes, such as glaucoma and retinopathy, are among the major causes of blindness in the world. Citicoline (CIT) in the form of eye drops is currently used for the treatment/prevention of these diseases, which affect the posterior segment of the eye. To ensure the drug penetration into the back of the eye, frequent instillations of highly concentrated drug solutions are required with potential side effects.

Flaxseed anaphylaxis: an emerging allergen.

Flaxseed is an emerging allergen, and a detailed clinical history is crucial for diagnosis. Flaxseed allergens identified are associated with severe reactions. Providing clear advice on food avoidance might be challenging as there are no reports of clinical cross-reactivity to other foods published.

The Role of Family Physicians in Children's Sleep.

Sleep holds significant importance for maintaining health and aiding in illness recovery. Its deprivation impacts all human organ systems, from cognitive function, social interaction, and work capacity to cellular regeneration and immune function. Therefore, sleep plays a crucial role in our body and maintaining health and well-being.

Hydrogel-Based Novel Biomaterials: Achievements and Prospects.

In recent decades, hydrogels have garnered significant attention, thanks to their extensive biomedical and pharmaceutical applications [...

Corneal ulcer development due to sintilimab-anlotinib combination therapy-induced dry eye: a case report.

Background: Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors and anti-angiogenic drugs have become a hotspot in research of anti-tumor programs; however, they can also cause some rare drug-related adverse reactions. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) cause adverse reactions in the body, collectively known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Ocular side effects can occur in both targeted and immunotherapy patients, including dry eye, blurred vision, uveitis, conjunctivitis, retinopathy, or thyroid eye disease.

Editorial for the Special Issue Titled "Design of Polymeric Hydrogels Biomaterials".

Hydrogels have attracted great interest in the biomedical applications field in recent years [...

Pregnancy-Associated Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Case Report with Gene Mutation and Successful Eculizumab Treatment.

Pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (P-aHUS) is a rare condition characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and kidney injury from thrombotic microangiopathy. P-aHUS occurs in approximately 1 in 25,000 pregnancies and is strongly related to complement dysregulation and pregnancy-related disorders, such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, resulting in adverse perinatal and fetal outcomes. Complement dysregulation in P-aHUS is commonly attributed to genetic mutations or autoantibodies affecting complement factors, including , , and We present a case of a 25-year-old primigravida who experienced severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome followed by the development of complicated P-aHUS during the early postpartum period.