Pediatric Renal Transplantation: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Pediatric renal transplantation is a life-saving procedure for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), offering superior long-term outcomes compared to dialysis, including improved quality of life and survival.

Objective: The aim of this study is to present a tertiary center experience, over a 10-year period as a specialized center for kidney transplants in children.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 35 pediatric kidney transplant recipients between 2015 and 2024 from a single Portuguese center.

Scaffold Hopping Strategy toward New 4‑Aminoquinazolines Active Against Extracellular and Intracellular.

A series of 4-aminoquinazolines was designed through a scaffold hopping approach inspired by pharmacophoric features of known antimycobacterial agents. The compounds were synthesized via a one-pot silylation-amination reaction under solvent-free conditions, affording the desired molecules in 70%-99% yields. Antimycobacterial evaluation using multiple strains and assay platforms revealed potent activity, with MIC values as low as 0.

Elevated regulatory T cells in pediatric patients recovering from multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) are evident five months post-COVID-19.

Background: Children can present a severe post-COVID-19 condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) can regulate the immune response during the inflammatory process, serving as an important tool for controlling the immune response.

Objective: To analyze the profile of Tregs in pediatric patients recovering from COVID-19 at two time points: between 2 and 8 months post-infection (visit 1) and between 10 and 15 months post-infection (visit 2).

Methods: This prospective cohort study included a convenience sample divided into two groups: CV1 (COVID-19, n = 67) and MV1 (MIS-C convalescents, n = 9) at visit 1, and CV2 (n = 42) and MV2 (n = 8) at visit 2.

Effects of Cholesterol on the Breast Cancer Resistance Protein: Studies through the Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Chemical Tools.

The breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) plays a major role in the multidrug resistance of cancers toward chemotherapeutic treatments. It was demonstrated that cholesterol regulates the ABCG2 activity, suggesting that lower levels of membrane cholesterol decrease the ABCG2 activity in mammalian cells. However, the precise mechanism remains unclear.

Should patients with encrusted JJ stents involving the proximal/renal loop undergo primarily endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery?

Background: Ureteral stents are one of the most used devices in Urology, allowing drainage of the upper urinary system, and can be used either in elective or emergency procedures. However, as a foreign body inside the urinary system, they are subject to encrustation. Encrustation is one of the burdens seen with double-J stents and, to date, there is no consensus about its best management.

Is it worth screening quarry workers for TB infection in high-incidence areas? A cost-benefit analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection screening of high-risk groups is an important strategy for achieving End TB targets. A TB infection screening program was implemented for quarry workers from a Portuguese high-incidence area in 2018-2022. We aimed to calculate the cost-benefit of the screening program from the societal perspective.

5-Fluoroindole Reduces the Bacterial Burden in a Murine Model of Infection.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a single pathogen that leads to a death toll estimated to be more than a million per year. (Mtb), which affects mainly the lungs, spreads by airborne transmission when infectious respiratory particles from an infected human enter the respiratory tract of another person. Despite diagnosis and treatment being well established, the rise of cases of patients infected with Mtb strains with multidrug resistance to the antibiotics used in the regimen against the disease is alarming.

Exploring the BSA- and DNA-binding, cytotoxicity, and cell cycle evaluation of ternary copper(II)/diimine complexes with ,-dibenzyl-'-benzoylthiourea as promising metallodrug candidates.

Four new copper(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized with the general formula [Cu(N-N)(Th)(NO)], where N-N corresponds to the N-heterocyclic ligands 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dpp), and 4,4-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dmbp) and Th represents the ,-dibenzyl-'-benzoylthiourea. Cytotoxic activities of the complexes against HCT116 (human colon carcinoma), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), and non-tumor MRC-5 (human lung fibroblast) cells were investigated. The copper(II) complexes 1-4 were characterized by spectroscopic techniques while complexes 1 and 2 were studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction as well.

Enhancing RECK Expression Through miR-21 Inhibition: A Promising Strategy for Bladder Carcinoma Control.

Bladder carcinoma (BC) is the tenth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite recent treatment advances, high-grade BC and muscle-invasive BC present with significant progression and recurrence rates, urging the need for alternative treatments. The microRNA-21 (miR-21) has superexpression in many malignancies and is associated with cellular invasion and progression.

Community-Based Action Research Intervention to Promote Occupational Health Nursing of Portuguese Quarry Workers.

The northern region of Portugal has the largest number of companies manufacturing granite and stone products, which has become the region's trademark. In the municipalities of Marco de Canaveses and Penafiel, the economic activity of this area is important. However, the lack of attractiveness of this activity, combined with the high prevalence of silicosis and tuberculosis in this population, has led to a growing shortage of labor.

Hepatitis E Virus in Individuals Undergoing Heparin Therapy: An Observational Serological and Molecular Study.

Introduction: Heparin is derived from swine and has been suggested as a possible source of HEV. To study the potential risk of HEV infection associated with heparin treatment, two groups of individuals were compared. Sera from heparinized (N=93) and non-heparinized individuals (N=111) were tested for markers of acute HEV infection and anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence.

Correlational study on novelty factor, immersive tendencies, purchase intention and memory in immersive VR e-commerce applications.

E-commerce is a field that changed how consumers purchase and interact with products. Although, inherent limitations such as the difficulty of testing the products "first-hand" before a purchase can compromise consumers' trust in online purchases. Virtual Reality (VR) has been investigated as a tool to solve limitations in several fields and how we can harness its potential to improve the overall user experience.

Overexpression of miR-17-5p may negatively impact p300/CBP factor-associated inflammation in a hypercholesterolemic advanced prostate cancer model.

Background: Previously, we demonstrated that cholesterol triggers the increase in p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), targeted by miR-17-5p. The p300, IL-6, PCAF, and miR-17-5p genes have important and contradictory roles in inflammation and prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to demonstrate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of miR-17-5 in an advanced PCa model with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Intratumoral Restoration of miR-137 Plus Cholesterol Favors Homeostasis of the miR-137/Coactivator p160/AR Axis and Negatively Modulates Tumor Progression in Advanced Prostate Cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have gained a prominent role as biomarkers in prostate cancer (PCa). Our study aimed to evaluate the potential suppressive effect of miR-137 in a model of advanced PCa with and without diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. In vitro, PC-3 cells were treated with 50 pmol of mimic miR-137 for 24 h, and gene and protein expression levels of SRC-1, SRC-2, SRC-3, and AR were evaluated by qPCR and immunofluorescence.

Detection of in Tissue Samples from Clean Primary Shoulder Surgeries - Part II.

 Research and identification of ( ) and other microorganisms in deep tissue samples collected in clean shoulder surgeries of patients who did not undergo any previous invasive joint procedure and who had no clinical history of infection.  We analyzed the results of cultures of intraoperative deep tissue samples from 84 patients submitted to primary clean shoulder surgery. Tubes containing culture medium were used for storage and transport of anaerobic agents, prolonged incubation time, and mass spectrometer for diagnosis of bacterial agents.

Harnessing Novel Soil Bacteria for Beneficial Interactions with Soybean.

It is claimed that one g of soil holds ten billion bacteria representing thousands of distinct species. These bacteria play key roles in the regulation of terrestrial carbon dynamics, nutrient cycles, and plant productivity. Despite the overwhelming diversity of bacteria, most bacterial species remain largely unknown.

Cholesterol Triggers Nuclear Co-Association of Androgen Receptor, p160 Steroid Coactivators, and p300/CBP-Associated Factor Leading to Androgenic Axis Transactivation in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Background/aims: Cholesterol modulates intratumoral androgenic signaling in prostate cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are not fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the effect of cholesterol on androgen receptor (AR) coactivators expression and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Herein, we monitored the expression of AR coactivators (SRC-1, 2, 3 and PCAF) genes in PC-3 cells exposed to 2µg/mL of cholesterol for 8 hours by qPCR.

Aquatic Exercise on Brain Activity in Type 2 Diabetic: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: A water-based physical exercise program is extremely important for the rehabilitation of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about its action on cerebral electrical activity.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a water-based physical exercise protocol on electroencephalographic activity, blood glucose levels, and functional capacity, as well as their correlation, in type 2 diabetics.

Circulating sTREM-1 as a predictive biomarker of pediatric multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

The exacerbation of the inflammatory response caused by SARS-CoV-2 in adults promotes the production of soluble mediators that could act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for COVID-19. Among the potential biomarkers, the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) has been described as a predictor of inflammation severity. The aim was to evaluate sTREM-1 and cytokine serum concentrations in pediatric patients during the acute and convalescent phases of COVID-19.

High Prevalence of Panton-valentine Leukocidin-encoding Genes in Methicillin-resistant Isolated from Inpatients with Invasive Infections at a University Hospital in Southern Brazil.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of a wide diversity of infections in humans, and the expression of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) has been associated with severe clinical syndromes.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PVL-encoding genes in S. aureus isolated from clinical samples of inpatients with invasive infections in a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil.

Detection of in Tissue Samples from Primary Clean Shoulder Surgeries - Part I.

 The present study aimed to identify bacterial agents in shoulder surgery specimens from patients with no history of previous shoulder infection or surgery.  Tendon, bursa, and bone specimens were collected during surgery, stored in sterile dry bottles, and sent to a hospital-associated laboratory for culture growth analysis in media for aerobic and anaerobic agents. Findings from 141 samples from 47 shoulders were analyzed.

Late onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (LONMOSD) from a nationwide Portuguese study: Anti-AQP4 positive, anti-MOG positive and seronegative subgroups.

Introduction: Several neuroimmunological disorders have distinct phenotypes according to the age of onset, as in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. It is also described that late onset NMOSD (LONMOSD) has a different phenotype.

Objective: To describe the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD and distinguish them from those with early onset (EONMOSD).

Individual variation in susceptibility or exposure to SARS-CoV-2 lowers the herd immunity threshold.

Individual variation in susceptibility and exposure is subject to selection by natural infection, accelerating the acquisition of immunity, and reducing herd immunity thresholds and epidemic final sizes. This is a manifestation of a wider population phenomenon known as "frailty variation". Despite theoretical understanding, public health policies continue to be guided by mathematical models that leave out considerable variation and as a result inflate projected disease burdens and overestimate the impact of interventions.