Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change.

Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt, has traditionally been attributed to external stimuli, learning, and experience. However, emerging research highlights the gut microbiota as a key modulator of neuroplasticity through the gut-brain axis. This review examines the mechanisms by which intestinal microorganisms influence brain function, including microbial metabolite production, immune system modulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, and hormonal regulation.

Nivolumab plus cabozantinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: real-world evidence from the international ARON-1 study.

Introduction: Four approved immune-based combinations for untreated metastatic renal carcinoma have demonstrated survival benefits. The ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) analyzed real-world data of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving first-line immuno-oncology combinations. This sub-analysis is focused on the nivolumab plus cabozantinib effectiveness.

Maximizing Polylactic Acid Bioplastic Yield from L6 via Response Surface Methodology: Evaluating Antimicrobial Effectiveness, Physical, and Chemical Properties of PLA.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer usually used in various scales (cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, and environmental applications) due to its sustainability and mechanical properties. The objective of this research was to investigate the mechanical, physical, and antibacterial characteristics of improved PLA from L6, utilizing response surface methodology (RSM). The data revealed that the highest values of both bacterial PLA production and lactic acid content (0.

Immune-based Combinations in Intermediate-/Poor-risk Patients with Non-clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results from the ARON-1 Study.

Background And Objective: Non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC) lacks direct comparisons of immune-based combinations, presenting an unmet need for defining optimal treatment for this specific population. This study aimed to assess the real-world efficacy of immune-based combinations in intermediate-/poor-risk nccRCC.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study of patients (≥18 yr) with metastatic nccRCC treated with first-line immune-based combinations across 56 centers in 17 countries between January 2021 and December 2024.

Sustainable production of bacterial cellulose from delignified rice straw using Novacetimonas hansenii TGA isolate: Process optimization and membrane characterization.

The current study investigated the effect of different pretreatment approaches in the delignification of rice straw (RS) for sustainable bacterial cellulose (BC) production. Among the three pretreatment methods evaluated, acid/alkali pretreatment was the most effective (76.6 % delignification with increased α-cellulose and holocellulose to 90.

Efficacy of Anti-PD-(L)1 Immunotherapy in Patients with DNA Mismatch Repair-deficient Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Background And Objective: Up to 5% of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harbour loss-of-function alterations in mismatch repair genes (dMMR) resulting in microsatellite instability (MSI-H). Data on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in dMMR mCRPC are limited, and reimbursement for these agents is not universally available.

Methods: We performed an international, multicentre, retrospective study to investigate the efficacy of anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy in dMMR mCRPC.

Systems Biology-Driven Discovery of Host-Targeted Therapeutics for Oropouche Virus: Integrating Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Drug Repurposing.

Oropouche virus (OROV), part of the Peribunyaviridae family, is an emerging pathogen causing Oropouche fever, a febrile illness endemic in South and Central America. Transmitted primarily through midge bites (), OROV has no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. This study aims to identify host-targeted therapeutics against OROV using computational approaches, offering a potential strategy for sustainable antiviral drug discovery.

Artificial neural network-based fungal chitin production for submicron-chitosan synthesis: effects on bioremediation for heavy metal pollution.

This study focused on optimizing fungal chitin (CT) production from a newly identified Fusarium incarnatum (GenBank: OL314753) for subsequent synthesis of submicron chitosan (sm-CS) tailored for enhanced heavy metal removal. Initial attempts to optimize CT yield using mixed nitrogen sources (potassium nitrate, peptone, yeast extract) via Box-Behnken Design (BBD) were insufficient for predicting optimal conditions. Consequently, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) successfully modeled the BBD experimental data, the optimal nitrogen concentrations to 4.

Pembrolizumab plus Lenvatinib in patients with metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: real-world evidences from the international ARON- 1 study.

Background: Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib is a treatment option for metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC). In the ARON-1 study we investigated we the real-world experiences gained from the use of this combination for mRCC.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated real-world clinical outcomes of mRCC patients receiving pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib within the ARON-1 study.

Targeting the tumour cell surface in advanced prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer remains a substantial health challenge, with >375,000 annual deaths amongst men worldwide. Most prostate cancer-related deaths are attributable to the development of resistance to standard-of-care treatments. Characterization of the diverse and complex surfaceome of treatment-resistant prostate cancer, combined with advances in drug development that leverage cell-surface proteins to enhance drug delivery or activate the immune system, have provided novel therapeutic opportunities to target advanced prostate cancer.

Mind the Gap: The Disconnect Between Clinical Trials and Real-World Oncology Patients.

The current model for oncology trials does not align with the realities of modern cancer care. More inclusive study designs could ensure that trial outcomes better reflect the diversity of cancer patients result in more effective, equitable, and patient-centered treatments. This shift is both an ethical imperative and a scientific necessity for advances in oncology.

Apalutamide in Metastatic Castration-sensitive Prostate Cancer: Results from the Multicenter Real-world ARON-3 Study.

Background And Objective: Apalutamide (APA) is a treatment for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). In the ARON-3 study we investigated real-world experiences with APA treatment for mCSPC.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed real-world clinical outcomes for patients with mCSPC treated with APA in the ARON-3 study.

Select black men are potential candidates for prostate hemi-ablation based on radical prostatectomy histopathology for intermediate-risk prostate cancer-a multicenter SEARCH cohort study.

Importance And Objective: Partial gland ablation (PGA) is increasingly popular as a treatment for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IR-PCa) to preserve functional outcomes while controlling their cancer. We aimed to determine the impact of race and clinical characteristics on the risk of upstaging (≥pT2c) and having adverse pathological outcomes including seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), extra prostatic extension (EPE) and lymph node invasion (LNI) at radical prostatectomy (RP) among men with IR disease eligible for PGA with hemi-ablation (HA).

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Egypt Genome: Towards an African new genomic era.

Background: Studying the human genome is crucial to embrace precision medicine through tailoring treatment and prevention strategies to the unique genetic makeup and molecular information of individuals. After human genome project (1990-2003) generated the first full sequence of a human genome, there have been concerns towards Northern bias due to underrepresentation of other populations. Multiple countries have now established national genome projects aiming at the genomic knowledge that can be harnessed from their populations, which in turn can serve as a basis for their health care policies in the near future.

PD1 ligand functionality a biomarker of response to anti PD1 treatment in patients with HNSCC.

Therapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have transformed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. However, predicting the response to anti-PD-1 therapy remains a clinical challenge. This study evaluated the functional binding of PD-1 ligands in 29 HNSCC patients and compared it to the standard PD-L1 Combined Positive Score (CPS).

Comparison of Pelvic Landmarks for Leg Length Discrepancy Measurement With Robotic Arm-Assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a common complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA) leading to significant morbidity and dissatisfaction for patients. A popular system for robotic arm-assisted THA utilizes preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans for surgical planning. Accurate measurement of leg length is crucial for restoring appropriate patient anatomy during the procedure.

The use of a laminar spreader for the reduction of extra-articular distal radius fractures: A technical trick.

Extra-articular distal radius fractures are often accompanied with shortening, loss of radial height, and radial displacement of the articular segment relative to the shaft of the radius, all seen in the coronal plane. Reduction can be somewhat challenging when reliance on traction and ligamentotaxis fails, especially in subacute or osteoporotic fractures. In this technical report, we describe a technique where application of a laminar spreader between the radius and the ulna in the metaphyseal region can easily reduce the fracture and help attain anatomic alignment in the coronal plane.

En bloc holmium laser enucleation of prostate in octogenarians and nonagenarians: clinical characteristics and outcome.

Extended longevity leads to greater numbers of elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who seek surgical solutions. We assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of octogenarians and nonagenarians with BPH who underwent en bloc holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP). Retrospective cohort of all consecutive HoLEP patients treated in our medical center between January 2020 and January 2023.

Mini-HoLEP (MILEP) vs HoLEP: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background And Purpose: Minimal invasiveness improves outcome in many surgical fields including urology. We aimed to assess intraoperative performance and clinical outcome of miniaturized holmium laser enucleation of prostate (MiLEP) (22FR).

Methods: We ran a propensity score-matched analysis among all consecutive laser enucleations of prostate performed between 9/2022 and 2/2023.

Can lymphocytes serve as a predictor of response to preoperative chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer?

Introduction: The aim of this study is to identify factors that may predict the response of locally advanced rectal cancer tumors (LARC) to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to evaluate the effect of circulating lymphocytes on pathological tumor response.

Methods: This retrospective study included neoadjuvant CRT-treated, LARC-diagnosed patients at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel. CHAID analysis, t-test, χ test, and ROC curve analyses were performed to explore the association between pathological complete response (pCR) and several factors including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, type of treatment, and levels of circulating lymphocytes measured on a weekly basis.