Gut dysbiosis is linked to severe steatosis and enhances its diagnostic performance in MASLD.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, with rising prevalence linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Excessive liver fat accumulation (steatosis) worsens disease progression and MASLD prognosis. Moreover, gut microbiota dysbiosis might promote steatosis, accelerating the disease progression to severe stages.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease - Provision, Attendance, and Outcomes: Results from the INTERASPIRE Survey from Fourteen Countries Across Six WHO Regions.

Background: INTERASPIRE was an observational study of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) from 88 hospitals in 14 countries across all six WHO regions. The objective was to describe the proportions of patients referred to and attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes and to compare lifestyle and risk factor target achievement according to participation in a CR programme.

Methods: Patients 18-80 years of age, with a first or recurrent coronary hospitalisation (acute coronary syndrome and/or revascularisation procedure) were identified and invited to an interview and examination, between six months and two years after the index hospitalisation.

Primary health care policy investments in the Latin America context: Health systems experiences from Brazil, Chile, and Colombia.

This study examines the policy investments in Primary Health Care (PHC) within the health systems of Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, highlighting their contributions toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Employing a qualitative methodology, the research includes an institutional historical review and interviews with key stakeholders to analyze the development of PHC financing policies and practices in these countries. Brazil, with its Unified Health System (SUS), demonstrates federal leadership through initiatives like Requalifica UBS and the new PAC, albeit facing challenges in regional equity and monitoring.

Enhancing the multifunctional properties of polycaprolactone/chitosan films with zirconium dioxide nanoparticles for biomedical and flexible optoelectronic applications.

This study addresses the growing need for sustainable and multifunctional materials by developing novel polycaprolactone (PCL)/chitosan (CS)/zirconium dioxide (ZrO) nanocomposite films. While PCL and CS offer biocompatibility and biodegradability, their combined use presents limitations for advanced applications requiring specific functional features. The incorporation of ZrO nanoparticles aims to overcome these limitations and create materials with enhanced mechanical, electrical, optical, and antibacterial properties.

Synthetic scaffolds functionalized with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells-derived extracellular matrix for bone tissue engineering: a review.

Bone-related injuries represent a major global challenge, particularly for the aging population. While bone has self-healing capabilities, large defects and non-union fractures often fail to completely regenerate, leading to long-term disability and the need for surgical intervention. Autologous bone grafts remain the gold standard for such procedures, but challenges such as limited donor availability and donor site comorbidity persist.

Comparative study of the impact of heat treatment on the microstructure, morphology, optical and dielectric properties of nanostructured Co-Mn ferrite.

Nanoscale materials are attracting a great deal of attention due to their exceptional properties, making them indispensable for many advanced applications. Among these materials, spinel ferrites stand out for their potential applications in electronic, optoelectronic, energy storage and other devices. This is why the development of a synthesis process combined with rigorous optimization of annealing conditions is provided to be an essential approach to control nanoparticle formation and fine-tuning their structural, morphological and functional characteristics.

Informing future seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns based on past experience: a mixed-method approach with eligible populations and healthcare professionals.

Background: Seasonal vaccination campaigns against influenza and COVID-19 are critical for protecting vulnerable populations. Scientific evidence on past campaigns is essential for the effectiveness of future campaigns. This study aims to: (1) assess predictors of influenza and COVID-19 vaccination intentions (2) explore perceived barriers and facilitators of 2023-2024 seasonal vaccination campaign.

The Impact of Glacial Disturbance History Upon the Genetic Diversity of and in Europe and Implications for Conservation.

Historically, the thick-shelled river mussel ( agg. complex) was considered a single, widespread species across Europe. However, recent phylogenetic taxonomic revisions have delineated 12 species from this complex, including (s.

CT-Optimal Stimulation Modulates Somatosensory Processing.

Touch has an affective dimension, conveyed through low-threshold mechanoreceptors known as C-tactile (CT) afferents, which are activated by gentle, caress-like contact. While there is evidence that these fibers modulate nociceptive input, their influence on the processing of other somatosensory afferent activity remains largely unknown. In this study, we explored how slow brushing (CT-optimal stimulation) modulates somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) elicited by electrical stimulation of the median nerve (occurring at 0.

Advanced nitrogen-doped transition metal oxides decorated with Pt: synthesis and composition strategies for maximised electrochemical performance.

Developing efficient, low-cost catalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER) is key to advancing metal-air batteries and regenerative fuel cells. In this study, nitrogen-doped binary metal (Mn and Ni) oxides (N-BMOs) and Pt-decorated N-BMOs were synthesised using three methods and tested as ORR and OER catalysts in alkaline media. Their physicochemical properties were characterised by XRD, N-sorption, TEM, and XPS, while their electrochemical performance was evaluated using voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy.

Transcriptional Dynamics of Tomato Plants Under Combined Heat and Salt Stress.

The Mediterranean Basin, a hotspot for tomato production, is one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change, where rising temperatures and increasing soil and water salinization represent major threats to agricultural sustainability. Thus, to understand the molecular mechanisms behind plant responses to this stress combination, an RNA-Seq analysis was conducted on roots and shoots of tomato plants exposed to salt (100 mM NaCl) and/or heat (42°C, 4 h each day) stress for 21 days. The analysis identified over 8000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under combined stress conditions, with 1716 DEGs in roots and 2665 in shoots being exclusively modulated in response to this specific stress condition.

Boosting biocompatibility and minimizing inflammation in electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) cardiac patches through optimized low-pressure plasma treatment.

Tailoring surface characteristics is key to guiding scaffold interaction with the biological environment, promoting successful biointegration while minimizing immune responses and inflammation. In cardiac tissue engineering, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a material of choice for its intrinsic piezoelectric properties, which can be enhanced through electrospinning, also enabling the fabrication of nanofibrous structures mimicking native tissue. However, the inherent hydrophobicity of PVDF can hinder its integration with biological tissues.

Characterization of a difficult-to-treat epilepsy in a child with Cornelia de Lange syndrome with a pathogenic variant in NIPBL gene: a case report.

None.

Intraindividual Optic Nerve Sheath Variation and Intracranial Pressure Changes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Purpose: To review the existing evidence on multiple timepoint assessments of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) as an indicator of intraindividual variation of intracranial pressure (ICP).

Methods: A systematic search identified studies assessing intraindividual variation in ICP through multiple timepoint measurements of ONSD using ultrasonography. Meta-analysis of studies assessing intraindividual correlation coefficients between ONSD and ICP was performed using a random effects model, and we calculated the weighted correlation coefficient for the expected change in ICP associated with variations in ONSD.

Optimizing maize late wilt disease management: A comparative assessment of bacterial biocontrol and Azoxystrobin alone and in combination.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most widely cultivated and economically important cereal crop, serving as a staple food and feed source in over 170 countries. However, its global productivity is threatened by late wilt disease (LWD), a disease caused by Magnaporthiopsis maydis, that spreads through soil and seeds and can cause severe yield losses.

Multi-way calibration strategies involving excitation-emission data measurements from drug-modulated fluorescence in CdTe quantum dots and AgInS nanocrystals.

Background: When using semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) for single-analyte sensing, recognition is commonly achieved through interactions with capping ligands attached to the QDs surface. These ligands form an organic layer that provides stability in solution and assures selectivity by binding the target analyte via surface functional groups. However, a common analytical challenge arises in the subsequent stage of the QD-based sensing scheme.

Soil-transmitted helminth eggs in public areas of Azores archipelago, Portugal.

In the Azores archipelago, data regarding environmental contamination by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) is inexistent till the moment. The current study aimed to assess the environmental contamination with helminth eggs, in soil samples collected from public parks/gardens and beaches from three islands belonging to the Azores archipelago (Portugal): Faial, Terceira and São Miguel. Between June-December 2024, a total of 37 soil samples were collected from 26 public parks/gardens and 11 public beaches, and processed using the Mini-FLOTAC method to calculate parasites' prevalences and burdens (eggs/oocysts per gram of soil, EPG/OPG).

Variations in Dentists' Thresholds for Restorative Treatment of Active Non-Cavitated Carious Lesions: A Multinational Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: To assess patterns across 21 countries in dentists' thresholds for initiating operative treatment of active non-cavitated carious lesions and to evaluate the influence of caries risk, clinician characteristics, and geographic variation on decision-making in accordance with current guidelines.

Methods: A cross-sectional, vignette-style web-based survey was conducted between June and October 2023 across 21 countries. A standardized questionnaire, comprising theoretical radiographic scenarios of occlusal and approximal active non-cavitated carious lesions at four progressive stages (E1,E2,EDJ,D1), was distributed to general dentists and specialists.

Optimizing mucosal vaccination: Exploiting Lactobionic acid-modified chitosan for superior gene delivery systems.

The increasing prevalence of respiratory disorders highlights the urgent need for effective mucosal vaccines that elicit targeted immune responses at pathogen entry sites. However, the advancement of mucosal vaccines is limited by challenges in antigen delivery and overcoming mucosal immune tolerance. In this study, we developed a gene delivery platform using chitosan functionalized with lactobionic acid (LA) to enhance targeting of antigen-presenting cells and to form stable DNA polyplexes with high transfection efficiency.

Valorisation of olive oil by-products into pectic- and glucuronoxylo-oligosaccharides via one-step fermentation.

Olive pomace (OLP) and stones (OLS) are key by-products of olive oil production, rich in lignocellulose and pectin, making them viable substrates for prebiotic oligosaccharide (OS) production. This study evaluated the chemical composition of OLP and OLS powders (OLPp and OLSp) and their potential for OS production through one-step fermentation using recombinant Bacillus subtilis 3610. Both substrates had comparable xylan and pectin levels, but OLSp showed greater potential, achieving a maximum total sugar yield of 60 ± 3 mg.

Exposure of an intertidal fish to simulated heatwaves and suspended sediment - a multistressor approach.

Extreme climatic events, such as marine heatwaves (MHW) and increased suspended sediment concentration (SSC), are increasing in frequency and intensity, resulting in sudden changes to coastal environments, especially intertidal zones. Intertidal animals experience conditions that substantially fluctuate over temporal and spatial scales and therefore require the ability to physiologically tolerate these fluctuations. Since multiple stressors often co-occur and natural populations tend to respond to local environmental fluctuations, we aimed to investigate individual and combined effects of MHW and increased suspended sedimentation in Forsterygion lapillum from two neighbouring coastal areas with distinct water temperatures and wave current regimes by assessing fish oxygen consumption rate, mortality and weight loss.