Comparison of Disease Progression From Prostate Cancer Diagnosis to Metastatic or Nonmetastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC) Patients: CaPA Study.

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) patients resistant to castration have decreased survival. Analysis of patient characteristics and disease management can contribute to new strategies to prevent or delay progression to castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This study aimed to characterize and compare PC patients from initial PC diagnosis to metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) versus nonmetastatic (nmCRPC) stages in a real-world setting in Portugal.

A Cross-Cultural Study of Social Support from Family, Friends, and Significant Others and Mental Health Among Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese Gay and Lesbian Young Adults.

Gay and lesbian young adults report worse mental health than their heterosexual counterparts due to social stigma. Nonetheless, factors such as social support may protect them against the negative effects of stigma. The current study compares Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese gay and lesbian young adults on three dimensions of social support (family, friends, and significant others) and on mental health indicators (depression and anxiety).

Advancing organ-on-chip systems: the role of microfluidics in neuro-cardiac research.

The neuro-cardiac junction is involved in many pathological conditions in humans, but no model currently allows translational studies to investigate its role. Animal models fail to accurately represent this interaction. This review explores the role of microfluidic technologies in advancing organ-on-chip systems that simulate neuro-cardiac interactions in a controlled environment.

Anxiety in Portugal: Associated Factors in Adult Population from 2011 to 2021.

: Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental illnesses worldwide and in Portugal, often resulting in chronicity and disability. The objective of this study is to evaluate the sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with anxiety in the Portuguese adult population. : This study included participants aged 18 to 65 years from the nationwide, population-based EpiDoC cohort, who were followed from 2011 to 2021 (n = 2927).

Assessment of the Genotoxic Hazard of Estuarine Sediments Using an Integrative Approach With LacZ Plasmid-Based Transgenic Mice.

Under the influence of multiple anthropogenic pressures, from industrial to agricultural activities, estuaries have long been regarded as particularly sensitive ecosystems to contamination. The present study aimed at investigating the genotoxic potential of a contaminated sediment sample from an urban and industrial area of the Sado Estuary, by combining the analysis of multiple endpoints in the LacZ plasmid-based transgenic mouse model exposed for 28 days to contaminated estuarine sediment extracts through drinking water. The DNA and chromosome damaging effects were monitored in peripheral blood at 7-day intervals using the standard and enzyme-modified Comet assay, as well as the micronucleus assays in peripheral blood cells.

Electrospun Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Nanofibers with Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Mimic Cellular Interplay in Bone Regeneration.

This study investigates the impact of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles (NPs) on the cellular responses of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications. Three types of PLCL scaffolds were fabricated, varying in HANPs content. Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells (OBs) and THP-1-derived osteoclast-like cells (OCs) were co-cultured on the scaffolds, and cell proliferation was assessed using the MTS assay.

Photochemical treatment strategies for okadaic acid degradation: Effects of salinity, oxidants, and UV sources.

This study evaluates the degradation and detoxification of okadaic acid (OA), a marine biotoxin, through UV-assisted photochemical processes using environmentally relevant OA concentrations. Experiments were conducted in distilled water (DW) and artificial seawater (ASW), applying two UV sources: UV-LED (λ = 275 nm) and low-pressure mercury lamp (LP-Hg; λ = 254 nm), combined with hydrogen peroxide (HP), sodium peroxydisulfate (PDS), and potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Photolysis alone was ineffective, and kinetic rate constants (k; min) followed the trend UV/PMS > UV/PDS > UV/HP for both UV sources.

Neural crosstalk and symptom overlap: The correlation between urinary and intestinal symptoms in patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Purpose: Neural crosstalk in the pelvis involves intrinsic communication networks among pelvic structures that direct afferent inputs to converge on neurons, leading to viscerovisceral and somatovisceral reflexes. We aimed to explore the overlap between intestinal and urinary symptoms and their correlations in patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional study with 167 participants who underwent colonoscopy and were assessed using three self-administered questionnaires: the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for lower urinary tract symptoms, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) for overactive bladder symptoms, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

Family Self-Care Pattern in Families with Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Pilot Study.

Family self-care emphasizes a family's role in health promotion and protection, reflecting society's views on health, illness, and human relationships. In families with children with an intellectual disability, where the child may lack self-care abilities, family self-care becomes crucial, highlighting that self-care needs exceed individual capacity and require family cooperation. : This pilot study aims to explore the factors influencing family self-care and define attributes of its cognitive, psychosocial, physical, and behavioral domains in families with children with intellectual disabilities.

Invisible Victims: Addressing the Sexual and Health Consequences of Stealth Breeding for Brazilian Gay Men.

Stealth breeding is the act in which a man removes a condom during sexual intercourse without the consent of the male partner. This paper explores the context of stealth breeding among gay men in Brazil. Through in-depth interviews with ten gay men who have experienced stealthing, this study highlights its sexual and mental health consequences.

Neuropsychiatric sequelae in an experimental model of post-COVID syndrome in mice.

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, and presently, the world is facing a new challenge known as post-COVID syndrome (PCS). Current estimates suggest that more than 100 million people are grappling with PCS, encompassing several manifestations, including pulmonary, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric sequelae (cognitive and behavioral). The mechanisms underlying PCS remain unclear.

Asymptomatic vivax malaria is associated with an IFN-γ-program on adaptive immunity.

The adaptive immunity against Plasmodium vivax is thought to be essential to limit parasite growth during asymptomatic malaria, preventing the occurrence of symptoms. However, the mechanisms governing clinical immunity during asymptomatic infections are not understood. Here, we investigated the adaptive cellular compartment in asymptomatic P.

Inducing Drought Resilience in Maize Through Encapsulated Bacteria: Physiological and Biochemical Adaptations.

Droughts are projected to become prevalent throughout the 21st century, endangering agricultural productivity and global food security. To address these challenges, novel strategies to enhance water management and augment plant resilience are imperative. Bacterial encapsulation has emerged as a promising approach, offering benefits such as enhanced bacterial survival, soil compatibility, and sustainable plant growth.

Meshing Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life, and Functionality in Chronic Disease.

Background/objectives: Anxiety and depression result in a greater health burden; both can impact functionality and quality of life. This review aims to understand the association between anxiety, depression, functionality, and quality of life. Although three systematic reviews exist, one focuses on quality of life in depression and anxiety, while the others address functionality in depression and anxiety, with the former being more recent and the latter two being older.

Sodium propionate decreases implant-induced foreign body response in mice.

The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) propionate, beyond its actions on the intestine, has been able to lower inflammation and modulate angiogenesis and fibrogenesis in pathological conditions in experimental animal models. Its effects on foreign body reaction (FBR), an abnormal healing process induced by implantation of medical devices, have not been investigated. We have evaluated the effects of sodium propionate (SP) on inflammation, neovascularization and remodeling on a murine model of implant-induced FBR.

Characterising phages for the control of pathogenic bacteria associated with bivalve consumption.

In the present study, five new bacteriophages (or phages) were characterized, and their efficacy in controlling pathogenic bacteria-Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus-associated with bivalve consumption was evaluated. The isolated phages include both siphovirus [vB_EcoS_UALMA_PCEc3 (PCEc3), vB_SeTS_UALMA_PCST1 (PCST1), and vB_VpaS_UALMA_PCVp3 (PCVp3)] and myovirus [vB_SeEM_UALMA_PCSE1 (PCSE1) and vB_AhyM_UALMA_PCAh2 (PCAh2)] morphotypes. Four phages are safe for bacterial control, with only one (PCAh2) showing potential lysogenic characteristics.

Quantum control in size selected semiconductor quantum dot thin films.

We introduce a novel technique for coherent control that employs resonant internally generated fields in CdTe quantum dot (QD) thin films at the -point. The bulk band gap of CdTe at the -point amounts to 3.6 eV, with the transition marked by strong Coulomb coupling.

Hot and toxic: Accumulation dynamics and ecotoxicological responses of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to marine biotoxins during a marine heatwave.

Climate change is increasing marine heatwaves (MHWs) frequency and severity worldwide. These extreme events often cause bivalves' mass mortality and facilitate the growth, proliferation and dispersion of toxin-producing microalgae blooms associated with threats to seafood safety. Yet, the interactive effects between MHW and uptake of marine biotoxins by biota are a novel topic still lacking thorough research, from both the ecotoxicological and seafood safety standpoints.

Intranasal liposomal remdesivir induces SARS-CoV-2 clearance in K18-hACE2 mice and ensures survival.

A huge challenge after the emergence of COVID-19 has been the discovery of effective antiviral drugs. Although remdesivir (RDV) emerged as one of the most promising drugs, its pharmaceutical formulation Veklury® is limited by moderate efficacy, high toxicity and need for parenteral administration. The aim of the present work was to develop a liposomal formulation of RDV for pulmonary administration and evaluate its efficacy in models of COVID-19.

Sodium hyaluronate microcapsules to promote antitumor selectivity of anacardic acid.

Anacardic acid (AA) is a phenolic lipid extracted from cashew nutshell liquid that has antitumor activity. Given the high hydrophobicity of this compound and aiming to create efficient vehicle for its administration in aqueous systems, the objective of the present work was to develop a microcapsule (MCAA) by spray dryer technique, based on the polysaccharide sodium hyaluronate (SH), containing AA as its core, encapsulated from nanoemulsion. The Encapsulation Efficiency of MCAA presented a value equal to 95.

Staging of prostate Cancer with ultra-fast PSMA-PET scans enhanced by AI.

Purpose: PSMA-PET is a reference standard examination for patients with prostate cancer, but even using recently introduced digital PET detectors image acquisition with standard field-of-view scanners is still in the range of 20 min. This may cause limited access to examination slots because of the growing demand for PSMA-PET. Ultra-fast PSMA-PET may enhance throughput but comes at the cost of poor image quality.

Acute Ecotoxicity and Bioconcentration Tests for Se(IV) in Nile tilapia ().

Selenium is one of the most important trace element micronutrients for the global biota, mainly due to its role in protecting against oxidative stress. However, this element can become toxic when present at concentrations slightly higher than those needed for metabolic purposes. It can be transferred through the food chain toward higher trophic levels, with bioaccumulation and biomagnification leading to possible toxicity.