Consortium profile: the methylation, imaging and NeuroDevelopment (MIND) consortium.

Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, show potential as biological markers and mechanisms underlying gene-environment interplay in the prediction of mental health and other brain-based phenotypes. However, little is known about how peripheral epigenetic patterns relate to individual differences in the brain itself. An increasingly popular approach to address this is by combining epigenetic and neuroimaging data; yet, research in this area is almost entirely comprised of cross-sectional studies in adults.

A simplified digital workflow for reestablishing the vertical dimension of occlusion in a complete arch implant-supported prosthesis: A clinical report.

A simplified digital workflow is described for a complete arch implant-supported prosthesis with the restoration of the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) using a 3-dimensionally printed interim prosthesis and an esthetic jaw incisor guide. After VDO definition and intraoral scanning, a screw-retained interim prosthesis was printed, clinically tested, and used to guide the fabrication of the definitive prosthesis. The approach showed predictable esthetic and functional results, though caution is needed in patients with parafunctional habits because of the limited strength of printed resins.

Transient and Shear-Wave Elastography in the Detection of Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), or veno-occlusive disease (VOD), is a severe complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), often leading to liver dysfunction and poor outcomes if not detected early. Traditional diagnostic methods, including ultrasound and liver biopsy, have limitations in sensitivity and feasibility. Non-invasive elastography techniques, such as transient elastography (TE) and shear-wave elastography (SWE), offer a promising alternative by quantitatively assessing liver stiffness.

Glutamate modulation of physiological and behavioral responses to restraint stress: participation of supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Aims: Acute restraint stress (RS) has been reported to activate the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SON). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the SON on autonomic [mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and tail cutaneous temperature], neuroendocrine (plasma levels of corticosterone, oxytocin, and vasopressin), and behavioral responses to RS.

Methods: Male Wistar rats with bilateral SON cannulas received microinjections of NMDA or non-NMDA receptor antagonists or vehicle before restraint stress, and the effects on cardiovascular, tail temperature, hormonal, and behavioral responses were evaluated RESULTS: Microinjection of DL-AP7 or NBQX into the SON reduced MAP increases and tail temperature decreases induced by RS.

Real-world validation of a bleeding prediction algorithm in levonorgestrel intrauterine device users using the MyIUS mobile app.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the real-world performance of the MyIUS mobile-application algorithm in predicting bleeding intensity and regularity in levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) 52 mg, 19.5 mg, and 13.5 mg users following device insertion.

Sensory neurons shape local macrophage identity via TGF-β signaling.

Resident macrophages play integral roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. In the skin, prenatally seeded, specialized macrophages patrol sensory nerves and contribute to their regeneration after injury. However, mechanisms underlying the long-lasting postnatal commitment of these nerve-associated macrophages remain largely elusive.

Occurrence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in half-carcasses, meat cuts, equipment, and the environment of bovine slaughterhouses in Brazil.

Human listeriosis is a severe food-borne illness, with fatality rates ranging from 20 to 30 %. In Brazil, despite being an underdiagnosed and underreported disease, the presence of the microorganism in food has been the subject of important studies. However, its occurrence in slaughterhouse environments has received little attention in recent years.

Comparison of compressive forces generated by dynamic compression angle-stable interlocking nail versus traditional dynamic compression plate and locking compression plate.

The aim of this study was to compare the compressive forces generated by Dynamic Compression Angle-Stable Interlocking Nail (DCASIN) with those of traditional Dynamic Compression Plates (DCP) and Locking Compression Plates (LCP) using synthetic diaphyseal bone models (SDBM). Three groups were established based on the fixation method (G-DCASIN, G-DCP, and G-LCP), with implants fixed to SDBM simulating a transverse fracture, comprising 10 repetitions per group. A strain-gauge load cell was positioned in the SDBM gap to measure compressive forces in kilograms, recorded 30 s after the completion of each group-specific compression technique.

Rickettsial exposure in ruminants from Somalia.

Rickettsia spp. are Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria, with Rickettsia africae being transmitted by Amblyomma ticks and posing a zoonotic risk. The status of diseases like rickettsiosis is largely unknown in Somalia.

Huntington's disease-like 2 patients' profile in a Brazilian cohort.

Background: Huntington disease-like 2 (HDL2) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by an abnormal CAG/CTG repeat in exon 2A of junctophilin-3. This is the most common Huntington's Disease phenocopy and is characterized by psychiatric, cognitive, and movement disorders. This study aimed to describe the clinical phenotype of HDL2 patients in Brazil and compare the findings with those in the literature.

Phosphatidylserine translocation, cholesterol spatial distribution, and acrosome reaction reliably distinguish sperm capacitation from cryoinjury in bovine sperm.

Sperm capacitation is a critical process for successful fertilization, involving multiple regulated cellular changes. On the other hand, cryopreservation induces membrane changes that can mimic capacitation, potentially leading to misinterpretation of sperm function. Distinguishing true capacitation from cryoinjury remains challenging, as both share surface markers despite involving distinct mechanisms and impacts on fertilization.

Exploring nurse educators' experiences and perceptions of healthcare-associated infection prevention and control in two countries of sub-Saharan Africa: An exploratory qualitative study.

Aim: To explore the experiences and perceptions of nurse educators about prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in two countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods: A multimodal approach was employed to investigate the reality of hospital-associated infections.

Contributions of DNA double strand break repair pathways to DNA crosslink repair.

DNA crosslink-inducing drugs are widely used in clinical settings for treatment of solid tumors. Double strand breaks (DSBs) that arise during interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair are crucial determinants of the therapeutic response, as they lead to cell death if not repaired. DSBs can be repaired through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ), and homologous recombination (HR).

Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation: Insights into prostaglandin synthesis and in vitro embryonic development.

Modulation of prostaglandin synthesis, specifically, decreasing prostaglandin F (PGF) and increasing prostaglandin E (PGE) and interferon-tau (IFNT), can support maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) in cattle. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is known to influence prostaglandins (PG) synthesis in cell cultures; however, its effect on in vitro-cultured bovine oocytes and embryos remain unclear. We hypothesized that CLA supplementation in oocytes and embryo culture media would reduce PGF synthesis, increases PGE synthesis and PGE:PGF ratio in embryos, modulate the expression of genes involved in PG and IFNT synthesis, and enhance embryo development.

Paroxetine attenuates sepsis by preserving the expression of the G protein-coupled chemokine receptor CXCR2 on neutrophils.

Sepsis, a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, is associated with impaired neutrophil migration to the infectious focus owing to G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK2)-dependent CXCR2 internalization. In the present study, we investigated whether paroxetine, an antidepressant that belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of drugs and that is also identified as a GRK2 inhibitor, can improve neutrophil recruitment in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis model. Moderate (mCLP) and severe (sCLP) polymicrobial peritonitis were induced in C57BL/6 mice.

Prognostic immunotherapy score (PIS) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab: real-world data and validation from ARON-2 dataset.

Recent years have seen the development and advent of novel combinatorial strategies based on immunotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) - based treatment has established itself as a mainstay in the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). Herein, we aimed to validate the prognostic value of a previously developed score, the Prognostic Immunotherapy Score (PIS), including female sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) and liver metastases, in patients treated with pembrolizumab for advanced UC from the ARON-2 dataset. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from Metastatic UC patients diagnosed at age ≥ 18 years.

Multimodal Treatment Of Hemangiolymphangioma in a Pediatric Patient: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Hemangiolymphangioma is an uncommon benign lesion characterized by the simultaneous presence of both vascular and lymphatic vessels. It has been rarely reported, and its occurrence in the oral cavity is even rarer compared to other regions, with only 18 cases published in the English-language literature. In addition, there are doubts about the best approach.

Body and Testicular Biometry and Epididymal Sperm Characteristics in Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor (Kerr, 1792)).

Characterising body and reproductive morphometry and their association with epididymal sperm quality can contribute to the conservation of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor). Five adult males maintained in captivity at the Getúlio Vargas Zoobotanical Park (Salvador, BA, Brazil) were captured, anaesthetised, and subjected to bilateral orchiectomy as part of a population-control strategy. Body measurements included head circumference, thoracic diameter, total length, withers height, and body weight.

Mapping advance care planning and advance directives in Latin America.

Background/aims: The extent to which low- and middle-income countries have implemented Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Advance Directives (AD) remains unclear. We aimed to map the current status of ACP/AD in Latin America.

Methods: This cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey of ACP/AD in LA comprised interviews with 18 key informants from 18 out of 20 countries, most of whom were appointed by national Palliative Care Associations.

Association of Energy, Macronutrients, and Fiber Intakes with Bone Health in Adolescent Athletes.

This study investigated the association between energy and macronutrient intake and bone health in 63 adolescents of both sexes who participated in volleyball, track and field, or swimming. Bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) of the total body less head (TBLH), lumbar spine (L1-L4), and femoral neck were assessed using DXA. Bone geometry parameters, including cross-sectional area (CSA), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and section modulus, were estimated.

Fractionation and biological evaluation of passion fruit Pectins: HG and RG-I backbone ratios are associated with TLR2-1 interaction and signaling.

Passion fruit mesocarp is rich in pectin, and high-temperature/pressure modification of this pectin has been shown to yield bioactive fragments with anticancer potential. To clarify the structure-function relationship of passion fruit pectins, we purified native and modified pectins using two fractionation methods. Comprehensive chemical characterization revealed molecular weight as the primary difference between fractions, along with varying proportions of homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I).

Caspase-1 Activation Drives Vascular Inflammatory Processes and Hypoperfusion in Intravascular Hemolysis.

Intravascular hemolysis (IVH), a pathological process associated with various conditions, triggers inflammatory responses, yet the key molecular drivers of these responses are poorly defined, particularly within the vasculature. To explore the role of NLRP3 inflammasome- and caspase-1-dependent pathways in IVH-induced vascular dysfunction, we used models of acute and chronic IVH, alongside heme stimulation of endothelial cells, thereby isolating this disease mechanism from its etiological causes. IVH induced rapid inflammatory responses in C57BL/6J mice, including IL-1β release within 15 minutes, and NLRP3-dependent caspase-1 activation in circulating leukocytes.

Comparison of Functional Performance Across Age Groups in Older Adults: A Community-Based Study.

Objectives: To investigate the association among 5 clinical functional performance tests-single-leg stance, gait speed, tandem gait, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and forward step- as indicators of functional decline in older adults, and to examine whether these associations vary across different age groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting And Participants: Data were collected from 191 community-dwelling older adults, stratified into 4 age groups: 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75-79 years.