Enhancing Breast Density Assessment in Mammograms Through Artificial Intelligence.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Early detection through mammography significantly improves outcomes, with breast density acting as both a risk factor and a key interpretive feature. Although the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) provides standardized density categories, assessments are often subjective and variable.

Lichen Simplex Chronicus: Clinical Perspectives and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies.

Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), also known as neurodermatitis, is a common chronic pruritic dermatosis defined by lichenified plaques resulting from persistent scratching. Though often secondary to underlying dermatologic, systemic, or psychological triggers, LSC represents a distinct clinical entity with significant morbidity. The hallmark itch-scratch cycle contributes not only to visible skin changes but also to substantial sleep disruption, emotional distress, and functional impairment.

Synthesis and Characterization of Sm/Yb Codoped Oxychloride Tellurite Glasses for Solar Cell Enhancement via Energy Conversion.

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of novel oxychloride tellurite glasses codoped with Sm/Yb. These materials were investigated for their potential applications as spectral converters to enhance the efficiency of silica-based solar cells. Optical spectroscopy revealed the successful incorporation of both rare-earth ions in the glass matrix.

The spectrum of nuclear patterns with stained metaphase chromosome plate: morphology nuances, immunological associations, and clinical relevance.

The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on HEp-2 cells is the prevailing method used to screen for autoantibodies in the investigation of systemic autoimmune diseases (SAID). When positive, the titer provides a semi-quantitative assessment of the autoantibody serum concentration whereas the immunofluorescence pattern indicates the possible autoantibody specificities. The Brazilian Consensus on ANA Patterns (BCA) and the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) provide recommendations for the harmonization on the pattern nomenclature and test reporting.

Performance of cryptogenic new onset refractory status epilepticus score in a Brazilian cohort after testing for antineuronal antibodies with tissue-based and cell-based assays.

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe a case series of Brazilian new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) patients and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a clinical score to predict cryptogenic etiology (c-NORSE score) after autoimmune encephalitis (AE) testing.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with NORSE from the Brazilian Autoimmune Encephalitis Network were investigated with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and complementary testing with tissue-based assays and cell-based assays for antineuronal and antiglial antibodies (abs) in serum/CSF. Final diagnoses were compiled after chart review.

Evaluation of pruritus biomarkers expression in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a skin disease characterized by recurrent episodes of urticaria and/or angioedema, persisting for more than six weeks. Chronic urticaria is classified as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU). Histamine, released by mast cells and basophils, is the central mediator in the development of signs and symptoms, especially pruritus.

In vitro enzymatic and cell culture assays for SARS-CoV-2 main protease interaction with ambenonium.

The 2019 pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 led to millions of deaths worldwide since its emergence. The viral genomic material can code structural and non-structural proteins including the main protease or 3CL, a cysteine protease that cleavages the viral polyprotein generating 11 proteins that participate in viral pre-replication. Thus, 3CL is a promising therapeutic target for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by new drugs or drug repositioning because 3CL is dissimilar to human proteases.

Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS): an expert consensus statement from the Rare Diseases Committee of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology (COMDORA-SBN).

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare cause of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) caused by the dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. The diagnosis of TMA is made clinically by the triad: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and organ damage (mainly acute kidney injury). The heterogeneity of clinical manifestation and the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test makes the precise diagnosis of aHUS a challenging process that may impact patient management.

ASSOCIATION OF "METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION-ASSOCIATED STEATOTIC PANCREAS DISEASE" (MASPD) AND INSULIN RESISTANCE.

Background: To investigate the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic pancreas disease (MASPD) and insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 157 participants diagnosed with MASPD based on ultrasonography criteria. Baseline demographic data were collected, including age, gender, and body mass index.

Chromosome aberrations and autoimmunity: Immune-mediated diseases associated with 18p deletion and other chromosomal aberrations.

Recent advances in genomic methodologies have significantly enhanced our understanding of immune-mediated rheumatic diseases. Specific structural variants (SVs), such as substantial DNA deletions or insertions, including chromosomal aberrations, have been implicated in diseases of immune dysregulation. Regrettably, SVs are frequently overlooked in next-generation sequencing (NGS) targeted-gene panels, whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Harmonization of anti-nuclear antibody testing (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence assay: Results from ten years of UK NEQAS external quality assessment.

External quality assurance (EQA) programs play a pivotal role in monitoring laboratory practices, allowing each laboratory to evaluate the consistency of results across different methods as well the ability of individual laboratories to compare and improve over time their own performance. The objective of our study was to analyze the UK NEQAS EQA reports for the "Antibodies to Nuclear and Related Antigens" program from 2013 to 2023, to assess the overall level of harmonization of the responses for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), in terms of both pattern and titer consensus. As a second aim, we analyzed the impact of the introduction in UK NEQAS EQA reports of the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) nomenclature and of digital image recognition on the harmonization of the ANA HEp-2 IIF test.

A Novel Machine Learning-based Predictive Model of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer and Online Risk Calculator.

Objective: To create a machine-learning predictive model combining prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) score, PSA density, and clinical variables to predict clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa).

Methods: We evaluated a cohort of patients who underwent prostate biopsy for suspected prostate cancer (PCa) in New Zealand, Australia, and Switzerland. We collected data on age, body mass index (BMI), PSA level, prostate volume, PSA density (PSAD), PI-RADS scores, previous biopsy, and corresponding histology results.

Decoding the relationship between cow's milk proteins and development of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To analyze in silico the evidence of molecular mimicry between human beta-cell autoantigens and cow's milk proteins as a potential type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) trigger.

Materials And Methods: The in silico analysis was performed using bioinformatics tools to compare the amino acid sequences of cow's milk proteins (bovine serum albumin [BSA] and beta-lactoglobulin [BLG]) and human beta-cell autoantigens (glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 [GAD-65], insulin, and zinc transporter 8 [ZnT8]). The structural and functional characteristics of the proteins were analyzed to identify potential molecular mimicry mechanisms.

Light and temperature signals are integrated through a phytochrome B-dependent gene regulatory network in rice.

Angiosperms are the most dominant land plant flora and have colonized most of the terrestrial habitats, thriving in different environmental conditions, among which light and temperature play a crucial role. In the eudicot Arabidopsis thaliana, light and temperature are integrated into a phytochrome B (phyB)-dependent signalling network that regulates development. However, whether this signal integration controls the development in other angiosperm lineages and whether phyB is a conserved hub of this integratory network in angiosperms is unclear.

Reflecting on a decade of the international consensus on ANA patterns (ICAP): Accomplishments and challenges from the perspective of the 7th ICAP workshop.

The International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) is an ongoing international initiative dedicated to harmonizing technical and interpretation aspects of the HEp-2 IFA test. Comprised of internationally recognized experts in autoimmunity and HEp-2 IFA testing, ICAP has operated for the last 10 years by promoting accurate reading, interpretation, and reporting of HEp-2 IFA images by professionals involved in various areas related to autoimmune diseases, such as clinical diagnostic laboratories, academic research, IVD industry, and patient care. ICAP operates through continuous information exchange with the international community and encourages the participation of younger experts from all over the world.

Assessment of combined α-GAL enzyme activity and lyso-GL3 for Fabry disease screening in women with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: The spectrum of clinical presentation of Fabry disease (FD) in women is broad and challenging. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of an alternative screening method for FD in women.

Methods: A collaborative multicenter cross-sectional study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the combination of two tests (α-GAL enzyme activity assay and lyso-GL3 assay) for the diagnosis of FD in women.