Amino acids have various prominent functions in plants. Besides their usage during protein biosynthesis, they also represent building blocks for several other biosynthesis pathways and play pivotal roles during signal...Amino acids have various prominent functions in plants. Besides their usage during protein biosynthesis, they also represent building blocks for several other biosynthesis pathways and play pivotal roles during signaling processes as well as in plant stress response. In general, pool sizes of the 20 amino acids differ strongly and change dynamically depending on the developmental and physiological state of the plant cell. Besides amino acid biosynthesis, which has already been investigated in great detail, the catabolism of amino acids is of central importance for adjusting their pool sizes but so far has drawn much less attention. The degradation of amino acids can also contribute substantially to the energy state of plant cells under certain physiological conditions, e.g. carbon starvation. In this review, we discuss the biological role of amino acid catabolism and summarize current knowledge on amino acid degradation pathways and their regulation in the context of plant cell physiology.展开更多
AIM: To analyze outcomes in patients who underwent liver transplantation(LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and received autologous intraoperative blood salvage(IBS). METHODS: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent...AIM: To analyze outcomes in patients who underwent liver transplantation(LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and received autologous intraoperative blood salvage(IBS). METHODS: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent LT were studied retrospectively and analyzed according to the use of IBS or not. Demographic and surgical data were collected from a departmental prospective maintained database. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test to examine covariate differences between patients who underwent IBS and those who did not. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were developed to evaluate recurrence and death,and survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2012,158 consecutive patients who underwent LT in the same medical center and by the same surgical team were identified. Among these patients,122(77.2%) were in the IBS group and 36(22.8%) in the non-IBS group. The overall survival(OS) and recurrence free survival(RFS) at 5 years were 59.7% and 83.3%,respectively. No differences in OS(P=0.51) or RFS(P=0.953) were detected between the IBS and non-IBS groups. On multivariate analysis for OS,degree of tumor differentiation remained as the only independent predictor. Regarding patients who received IBS,no differences were detected in OS or RFS(P=0.055 and P=0.512,respectively) according to the volume infused,even when outcomes at 90 d or longer were analyzed separately(P=0.518 for both outcomes).CONCLUSION: No differences in RFS or OS were detected according to IBS use. Trials addressing this question are justified and should be designed to detect small differences in long-term outcomes.展开更多
Aging is a dynamic and progressive process that begins at conception and continues until death.This process leads to a decrease in homeostasis and morphological,biochemical and psychological changes,increasing the ind...Aging is a dynamic and progressive process that begins at conception and continues until death.This process leads to a decrease in homeostasis and morphological,biochemical and psychological changes,increasing the individual’s vulnerability to various diseases.The growth in the number of aging populations has increased the prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases,impairment of the central nervous system and dementias,such as Alzheimer’s disease,whose main risk factor is age,leading to an increase of the number of individuals who need daily support for life activities.Some theories about aging suggest it is caused by an increase of cellular senescence and reactive oxygen species,which leads to inflammation,oxidation,cell membrane damage and consequently neuronal death.Also,mitochondrial mutations,which are generated throughout the aging process,can lead to changes in energy production,deficiencies in electron transport and apoptosis induction that can result in decreased function.Additionally,increasing cellular senescence and the release of proinflammatory cytokines can cause irreversible damage to neuronal cells.Recent reports point to the importance of changing lifestyle by increasing physical exercise,improving nutrition and environmental enrichment to activate neuroprotective defense mechanisms.Therefore,this review aims to address the latest information about the different mechanisms related to neuroplasticity and neuronal death and to provide strategies that can improve neuroprotection and decrease the neurodegeneration caused by aging and environmental stressors.展开更多
The recent global spread of the pandemic underscores the necessity of seeking new materials effective against microorganisms. Nanotechnology offers avenues for developing multifunctional materials. In this study, alph...The recent global spread of the pandemic underscores the necessity of seeking new materials effective against microorganisms. Nanotechnology offers avenues for developing multifunctional materials. In this study, alpha-titanium phosphate (α-TiP) nanoparticles were synthesized and treated with silver salt to enhance their antimicrobial properties. The physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. It was revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis that the structural integrity of α-TiP was influenced by ethylenediamine and silver ions. Distinct degradation profiles for each chemical modification were shown by thermogravimetric analysis. Infrared spectroscopy detected shifts and new absorption peaks in the spectra depending on the type of modification. Energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the disaggregation of α-TiP galleries following the addition of silver salt, which increased their effectiveness against microorganisms. Notably, only the sample treated with silver ions exhibited antimicrobial action. Antimicrobial activity was tested against the bacteria of medical importance Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria momocytogenes and the yeast Candida albicans. All microorganisms were inhibited by sample containing silver. Minor inhibition was observed against the Gram-positive bacteria L. monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus, while the greatest inhibition occurred against the fungus (yeast) C. albicans. The results revealed a potential application of the nanoparticles for control of microorganisms in public health.展开更多
Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in...Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in this cohort study. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images were analysed to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI). Hazard ratios (HR) and multivariate Cox proportional HR were used to analyse association between low SMI, age, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin levels, histological type, and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage with PFS and OS. Results: A total of 151 patients were included, 53 (35.1%) presented pretreatment sarcopenia;51 (34%) stage I/II and 100 (66%) stage III/IV. Among those patients in advanced stage (III/IV) 37 (70%) (p = 0.28) were sarcopenic at the beginning of treatment. Sarcopenia was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in our cohort [HR 0.97 (p = 0.01)] [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)], as well as anemia [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)] [HR 0.78 (p = 0.001)]. Linear regression models indicated that despite showing no association with age, neutrophil or platelet counts, sarcopenia was associated with pretreatment anemia levels (p = 0.01). After a multivariate analysis, only haemoglobin (anemia) and complete CCRT remained associated with PFS and OS. Sarcopenia and anemia were associated with worse PFS and OS in FIGO stage I/II. Conclusion: Pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with low haemoglobin levels. Anemia and incomplete CCRT were independently associated with poor prognosis in women with CC. Pretreatment sarcopenia, as low SMI, was a predictor of poor prognostic in early stages of CC.展开更多
Introduction: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a drop in the number of patients treated for cardiac emergencies raised concern about cardiovascular mortality in that period. An increase in care delay for pat...Introduction: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a drop in the number of patients treated for cardiac emergencies raised concern about cardiovascular mortality in that period. An increase in care delay for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may have affected clinical outcomes. Objectives: To analyze delay times and clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Retrospective observational study that included patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI from December 2018 to July 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic cases were divided into two groups: pandemic I—from March to August 2020;and pandemic II—from September 2020 to July 2021. Patients were compared according to the period of hospitalization. Primary outcomes were delay times in assistance and clinical outcomes (acute kidney injury [AKI], post-procedural vascular complications and in-hospital mortality). Results: 108 patients were included, 39 (36.1%) in the pre-pandemic period, 13 (12.1%) in pandemic I and 56 (51.8%) in pandemic II. Time from onset of symptoms to arrival at the service and door-to-balloon time did not differ significantly among groups. Vascular complications were more frequent during the pandemic (I and II) than in the pre-pandemic period (2.5% pre-pandemic vs 15.4% pandemic vs 12.5% pandemic II;p = 0.03). AKI incidence was similar in all three periods. There was a non-significant increase in in-hospital mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: In patients with STEMI, there was an increase in vascular complications and a trend toward increased mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delay times to admission and reperfusion did not differ significantly between before and during the pandemic.展开更多
Soymilk is one of the most available beverages, an alternative to dairy milk and is recognized for its nutritional value. The nutritional quality, the presence of anti-nutritional factors, isoflavones and sensory acce...Soymilk is one of the most available beverages, an alternative to dairy milk and is recognized for its nutritional value. The nutritional quality, the presence of anti-nutritional factors, isoflavones and sensory acceptability of soymilk depended on the soybean variety as well as the processing conditions. The soymilks from conventional and specialty Brazilian soybean cultivars were compared regarding the composition and consumer acceptance. There were significant differences on the protein, oil, sugars, isoflavones, presence of anti-nutritional factors (phytate and trypsin inhibitor activity) and NSI (nitrogen solubility index) among cultivars and soymilks and for sensory acceptance of soymilks. The preference mapping and cluster analysis identified three different segments of consumers. The soymilk from the conventional cultivar BRS284 achieved higher and similar acceptance score for the three consumer’s segments while the lipoxygenase free cultivars (BRS213 and BRS257) and specialty cultivar BRS216 showed higher score for two segments of consumers. The sensory evaluation of soymilk from different soybean cultivars could improve consumer uptake.展开更多
This study hypothesized that different land-use affect the microbial enzymatic stoichiometry and C-,N-,and P-acquisition in Brazilian semiarid soils.Thus,the enzymesβ-glucosidase(C-acquiring enzyme),urease(N-acquirin...This study hypothesized that different land-use affect the microbial enzymatic stoichiometry and C-,N-,and P-acquisition in Brazilian semiarid soils.Thus,the enzymesβ-glucosidase(C-acquiring enzyme),urease(N-acquiring enzyme),and acid phosphatase(P-acquiring enzyme)were assessed in soil samples collected at 0−5 and 5−10 cm depth from a tropical dry forest,a protected area with Angico,a protected area with Ipê,scrub area,and an agricultural area with maize.The values of C-,N-,and P-acquiring enzymes were used to calculate the enzymatic C:N,C:P,and N:P ratios.The values of C:P and N:P ratios were higher at 0−5 cm depth,while no significant variation,between soil depth,was observed for C:N ratio.The values of C-and N-acquiring enzymes were higher at 0−5 cm in tropical dry forest areas and Angico forest,respectively.In all land use types,the values of vectors L and A were higher than 1°and 45°,respectively.This study showed that both land-use and soil depth influence the enzymatic stoichiometry,showing higher values of C-and N-acquiring enzymes in native and protected forests at soil surface.展开更多
巴西医疗保险以统一医疗体系(Unified Health System,SUS)的免费医疗为主、私人保险为补充,已实现全民享有基本医疗服务。导致该国居民死亡的主要疾病是缺血性心脏病、脑卒中、下呼吸道感染,近年来AD、慢性肾脏病及糖尿病的发病率显著...巴西医疗保险以统一医疗体系(Unified Health System,SUS)的免费医疗为主、私人保险为补充,已实现全民享有基本医疗服务。导致该国居民死亡的主要疾病是缺血性心脏病、脑卒中、下呼吸道感染,近年来AD、慢性肾脏病及糖尿病的发病率显著增高。以针灸为代表的中医疗法在19世纪初传入巴西,目前针灸治疗已得到较广泛的认可和应用,被纳入SUS,并在多所高校开设相关课程,但中医药整体特色有待加强,从业人员对中药的理解、运用不足,以及中医药教育缺乏规范等问题限制了中医药在巴西的发展。建议通过发挥中医药治未病的特色,加大中药研发力度并扩大市场,规范中医教育等措施,促进两国在中医药领域的广泛合作,推动中医药在巴西的发展与传播。展开更多
BACKGROUND： Fibromyalgia （FMS） is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, whose etiology is not completely understood. Different therapeutic approaches have been used with inconsistent ...BACKGROUND： Fibromyalgia （FMS） is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, whose etiology is not completely understood. Different therapeutic approaches have been used with inconsistent results. This observation does not invalidate the continued search for alternative treatments aimed at improving quality of life （QoL） in FMS. OBJECTIVE： This study compared three classica acupuncture （AC）, electroacupuncture （EAC） and promotion of QoL in FMS patients. traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） therapies： moxibustion （MX） in the management of pain and DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： A preliminary, group-assigned, comparative study enrolled 30 women, mean age （46.90_＋9.24） years （range 20-60 years）, who met the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS diagnosis and a pain-pressure threshold （PPT） 〈 4 kg/cm2. The study was conducted in a teaching tertiary-care medical institution from May 2010 through April 2012. AC, EAC and MX were delivered for 30 min, once a week, for 8 weeks, bilaterally at Neiguan （PC6）, Hegu （LI4）, Yanglingquan （GB34）, Sanyinjiao （SP6） and Taichong （LR3） acupoints. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Each week, immediately before treatment and after treatment, subjects were tested for PPTs, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale （WBFPS; for pain intensity） and Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey （SF-36： for QoL）. RESULTS： There was no significant improvement in pain or reduction of tender points in any of the groups studied, at the end of the 8th session. Significant improvement of QoL was perceived in vitality （after AC treatment） and in mental health （after EAC and MX treatments）. CONCLUSION： TCM therapies （AC, EAC and MX） promoted an improvement in the QoL in two areas （vitality and mental health） in FMS women. Further large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm this effect.展开更多
Congenital central nervous system tumors diagnosed during pregnancy are rare, and often have a poor prognosis. The most frequent type is the teratoma. Use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance image allows the suspicio...Congenital central nervous system tumors diagnosed during pregnancy are rare, and often have a poor prognosis. The most frequent type is the teratoma. Use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance image allows the suspicion of brain tumors during pregnancy. However, the definitive diagnosis is only confirmed after birth by histology. The purpose of this mini-review article is to describe the general clinical aspects of intracranial tumors and describe the main fetal brain tumors.展开更多
Background:Hemodialysis(HD) per se is a risk factor for thrombosis.Considering the growing body of evidence on blood-flow restriction(BFR) exercise in HD patients,identification of possible risk factors related to the...Background:Hemodialysis(HD) per se is a risk factor for thrombosis.Considering the growing body of evidence on blood-flow restriction(BFR) exercise in HD patients,identification of possible risk factors related to the prothrombotic agent D-dimer is required for the safety and feasibility of this training model.The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors associated with higher D-dimer levels and to determine the acute effect of resistance exercise(RE) with BFR on this molecule.Methods:Two hundred and six HD patients volunteered for this study(all with a glomerular filtration rate of <15 mL/min/1.73 m2).The RE+BFR session consisted of 50% arterial occlusion pressure during 50 min sessions of HD(intradialytic exercise).RE repetitions included concentric and eccentric lifting phases(each lasting 2 s) and were supervised by a strength and conditioning specialist.Results:Several variables were associated with elevated levels of D-dimer,including higher blood glucose,citrate use,recent cardiovascular events,recent intercurrents,higher inflammatory status,catheter as vascular access,older patients(>70 years old),and HD vintage.Furthermore,RE+BFR significantly increases D-dimer after 4 h.Patients with borderline baseline D-dimer levels(400-490 ng/mL) displayed increased risk of elevating D-dimer over the normal range(≥500 ng/mL).Conclusion:These results identified factors associated with a heightened prothrombotic state and may assist in the screening process for HD patients who wish to undergo RE+BFR.D-dimer and/or other fibrinolysis factors should be assessed at baseline and throughout the protocol as a precautionary measure to maximize safety during RE+BFR.展开更多
Introduction: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is an inexpensive method to objectively evaluate physical capacity or limitation and stratify prognosis in patients with Heart Failure (HF). Since the clinical p...Introduction: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is an inexpensive method to objectively evaluate physical capacity or limitation and stratify prognosis in patients with Heart Failure (HF). Since the clinical perception of symptoms may be adapted or compromised, regular evaluation from medical interviews often fails to determine functional classification. This study aimed to assess the correlation between New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA-FC) and the distance walked in the 6MWT. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study that included patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction followed up at an outpatient service of a teaching hospital, from August 2018 to April 2019. Patients in NYHA-FC I, II, or III were included. We compared NYHA-FC subjectively obtained during the consultation with the 6MWT performed after medical consultation, and the correlation between these two parameters was assessed. Results: The study included 70 patients with HF, 41 (58.6%) of whom were female. The mean age was 61.2 ± 12.7 years. The most prevalent etiologies were dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy (35.7%) followed by ischemic cardiomyopathy (25.7%). The mean ejection fraction was 34.1% ± 9.8%. The average distance walked in the 6MWT by NYHA-FC I patients was 437.8 ± 95.8 meters, NYHA-FC II 360.1 ± 96.4, and NYHA-FC III 248.4 ± 98.3. Functional class measured by the 6MWT was different than that estimated by NYHA-FC in 34 patients (48.6%), 23 (32.9%) for a higher functional class and 11 (15.7%) for a lower one (p = 0.07). Pearson’s correlation coefficient between NYHA-FC and the 6MWT was -0.55. Conclusion: There was a moderate correlation between the subjective NYHA-FC and the 6MWT. The 6MWT revealed a different classification from NYHA-FC in almost half of the patients. Among those who presented discrepancies between methods, 6MWT reclassification towards a higher functional class was more common.展开更多
Proton exchange membrane(PEM)water electrolysis represents a promising technology for green hydrogen production,but its widespread deployment is greatly hindered by the indispensable usage of platinum group metal cata...Proton exchange membrane(PEM)water electrolysis represents a promising technology for green hydrogen production,but its widespread deployment is greatly hindered by the indispensable usage of platinum group metal catalysts,especially iridium(Ir)based materials for the energy-demanding oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Herein,we report a new sequential precipitation approach to the synthesis of mixed Ir-nickel(Ni)oxy-hydroxide supported on antimony-doped tin oxide(ATO)nanoparticles(IrNiyO_(x)/ATO,20 wt.%(Ir+Ni),y=0,1,2,and 3),aiming to reduce the utilisation of scarce and precious Ir while maintaining its good acidic OER performance.When tested in strongly acidic electrolyte(0.1 M HClO_(4)),the optimised IrNi1Ox/ATO shows a mass activity of 1.0 mAµgIr^(−1) and a large turnover frequency of 123 s^(−1) at an overpotential of 350 mV,as well as a comparatively small Tafel slope of 50 mV dec^(−1),better than the IrOx/ATO control,particularly with a markedly reduced Ir loading of only 19.7µgIr cm^(−2).Importantly,IrNi1O_(x)/ATO also exhibits substantially better catalytic stability than other reference catalysts,able to continuously catalyse acidic OER at 10 mA cm^(−2) for 15 h without obvious degradation.Our in-situ synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed that the Ir^(3+)/Ir^(4+)species are the active sites for the acidic OER.Furthermore,the performance of IrNi1Ox/ATO was also preliminarily evaluated in a membrane electrode assembly,which shows better activity and stability than other reference catalysts.The IrNi1Ox/ATO reported in this work is a promising alternative to commercial IrO_(2) based catalysts for PEM electrolysis.展开更多
Congenital heart disease(CHD)is the most common type of birth defect,representing a significant cause of peri-natal morbidity and mortality.Early diagnosis of such anomalies is crucial for improving outcomes.Current p...Congenital heart disease(CHD)is the most common type of birth defect,representing a significant cause of peri-natal morbidity and mortality.Early diagnosis of such anomalies is crucial for improving outcomes.Current pro-tocols recommend a qualitative assessment of cardiac structures using two-dimensional ultrasound(2DUS)and color Doppler imaging.In cases of suspected abnormalities,quantitative assessments through cardiac structure measurements and reference curves can aid in accurate diagnosis.Similar to centiles widely employed in obste-trics,Z-scores provide more precise quantification of various cardiac structures,particularly at the extremes of the curve.While the development of reference curves and Z-scores has progressed over the past two decades,a lack of standardization in measurements and statistical methodology for their determination is evident.Establishing reference curves requires adherence to specific recommendations to improve their accuracy.The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the major studies that have generated reference values for cardiac struc-tures using 2DUS and Z-scores,to evaluate their methodology,and to provide a summary of the results.展开更多
BACKGROUND Excessive saturated fat intake compromises the integrity of the intestinal mucosa,leading to low-grade inflammation,impaired mucosal integrity,and increased intestinal permeability,resulting in the migratio...BACKGROUND Excessive saturated fat intake compromises the integrity of the intestinal mucosa,leading to low-grade inflammation,impaired mucosal integrity,and increased intestinal permeability,resulting in the migration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to other tissues.AIM To evaluate the chronic effects(at 10 and 16 wk)of a high-fat diet(HFD)(with 50%energy as fat)on the phylogenetic gut microbiota distribution and intestinal barrier structure and protection in C57BL/6 mice.METHODS Forty adult male mice were divided into four nutritional groups,where the letters refer to the type of diet(control and HFD or HF)and the numbers refer to the period(in weeks)of diet administration:Control diet for 10 wk,HFD for 10 wk,control diet for 16 wk,and HFD for 16 wk.After sacrifice,biochemical,molecular,and stereological analyses were performed.RESULTS The HF groups were overweight,had gut dysbiosis,had a progressive decrease in occludin immunostaining,and had increased LPS concentrations.Dietary progression reduced the number of goblet cells per large intestine area and Mucin2 expression in the HF16 group,consistent with a completely disarranged intestinal ultrastructure after 16 wk of HFD intake.CONCLUSION Chronic HFD intake causes overweight,gut dysbiosis,and morphological and functional alterations of the intestinal barrier after 10 or 16 wk.Time-dependent reductions in goblet cell numerical density and mucus production have emerged as targets for countering obesity-driven intestinal damage.展开更多
Orchiectomy is the recommended treatment for many testicular conditions.However,testicular prosthesis placement is not always performed for different reasons.In this study,we aimed to evaluate patients'opinions an...Orchiectomy is the recommended treatment for many testicular conditions.However,testicular prosthesis placement is not always performed for different reasons.In this study,we aimed to evaluate patients'opinions and the impact on sexual function and quality of life.This retrospective observational single-center study included patients who underwent orchiectomy between January 2014 and December 2020 at the Department of Urology,Braga's Hospital(Braga,Portugal),where testicular implants were always available and the decision to undergo the procedure was made fully independent of cost.Patients completed four questionnaires that assessed demographic data,satisfaction,self-esteem,and sexual function.Of the 96 patients who underwent orchidectomy,59 replied to the questionnaires,and of these patients,86.4%decided to undergo silicone-based testicular prostheses implantation.The remaining 13.6%refused the implant based on concerns about complications(37.5%),because they felt that it was unnecessary(37.5%),or because it was not offered by the doctor(25.0%).Overall,96.1%of these patients were satisfied with the implant;however,25.5%classified it as"too firm".No statistically significant differences were found in sexual function(all P>0.05).However,it can be observed that there are more patients with prostheses presenting normal sexual activity compared to patients without prostheses(74.0%vs 50.0%),and none of them reported severe erectile dysfunction(0 vs 16.7%).Regarding self-esteem,both patients with and without prostheses present very similar average scores with no statistically significant differences.The present study highlights the highest level of satisfaction among patients who received testicular prostheses.Testicular prostheses implantation is a safe procedure that does not hamper sexual function after orchiectomy.展开更多
The objective of this study was to investigate whether treatment with Tribulus terrestris(Tt)has any impact on the testicular morphology and function in a rodent model.Twenty male rats were divided into a control grou...The objective of this study was to investigate whether treatment with Tribulus terrestris(Tt)has any impact on the testicular morphology and function in a rodent model.Twenty male rats were divided into a control group and a group receiving 100 mg kg^(-1) body weight of Tt supplementation.After 4o days of experiment,the animals were submitted to euthanasia;epididymal tail spermatozoa were collected;and spermatozoa concentration,motility,and viability were analyzed.In addition,testicles were collected and processed for histomorphometrical analyses.Data were compared using the Student's t-test and considered significant when P<O.05.Spermatozoa concentration,motility,and viability showed no difference between the groups.Further,testicular weight and volume,seminiferous tubule diameter,tunica propria surface density,seminiferous epithelium surface density,and intertubular compartment surface density were statistically similar between the groups.However,seminiferous epithelium height and tubular lumen surface density were augmented in animals treated with Tt.Treatment with Tt does not cause a major impact on testicular morphology,promoting only subtle modifications.No difference on spermatozoa parameters was observed.展开更多
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an aggressive malignant neoplasm that requires liver transplantation(LT).Despite patients with HCC being prioritized by most organ allocation systems worldwide,they still hav...BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an aggressive malignant neoplasm that requires liver transplantation(LT).Despite patients with HCC being prioritized by most organ allocation systems worldwide,they still have to wait for long periods.Locoregional therapies(LRTs)are employed as bridging therapies in patients with HCC awaiting LT.Although largely used in the past,transarterial embolization(TAE)has been replaced by transarterial chemoembolization(TACE).However,the superiority of TACE over TAE has not been consistently shown in the literature.AIM To compare the outcomes of TACE and TAE in patients with HCC awaiting LT.METHODS All consecutive patients with HCC awaiting LT between 2011 and 2020 at a single center were included.All patients underwent LRT with either TACE or TAE.Some patients also underwent percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI),concom-itantly or in different treatment sessions.The choice of LRT for each HCC nodule was determined by a multidisciplinary consensus.The primary outcome was waitlist dropout due to tumor progression,and the secondary outcome was the occurrence of adverse events.In the subset of patients who underwent LT,complete pathological response and post-transplant recurrence-free survival were also assessed.RESULTS Twelve(18.5%)patients in the TACE group(only TACE and TACE+PEI;n=65)and 3(7.9%)patients in the TAE group(only TAE and TAE+PEI;n=38)dropped out of the waitlist due to tumor progression(P log-rank test=0.29).Adverse events occurred in 8(12.3%)and 2(5.3%)patients in the TACE and TAE groups,respectively(P=0.316).Forty-eight(73.8%)of the 65 patients in the TACE group and 29(76.3%)of the 38 patients in the TAE group underwent LT(P=0.818).Among these patients,complete pathological response was detected in 7(14.6%)and 9(31%)patients in the TACE and TAE groups,respectively(P=0.145).Post-LT,HCC recurred in 9(18.8%)and 4(13.8%)patients in the TACE and TAE groups,respectively(P=0.756).Posttransplant recurrence-free survival was similar between the groups(P log-rank test=0.71).CONCL展开更多
文摘Amino acids have various prominent functions in plants. Besides their usage during protein biosynthesis, they also represent building blocks for several other biosynthesis pathways and play pivotal roles during signaling processes as well as in plant stress response. In general, pool sizes of the 20 amino acids differ strongly and change dynamically depending on the developmental and physiological state of the plant cell. Besides amino acid biosynthesis, which has already been investigated in great detail, the catabolism of amino acids is of central importance for adjusting their pool sizes but so far has drawn much less attention. The degradation of amino acids can also contribute substantially to the energy state of plant cells under certain physiological conditions, e.g. carbon starvation. In this review, we discuss the biological role of amino acid catabolism and summarize current knowledge on amino acid degradation pathways and their regulation in the context of plant cell physiology.
文摘AIM: To analyze outcomes in patients who underwent liver transplantation(LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and received autologous intraoperative blood salvage(IBS). METHODS: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent LT were studied retrospectively and analyzed according to the use of IBS or not. Demographic and surgical data were collected from a departmental prospective maintained database. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test to examine covariate differences between patients who underwent IBS and those who did not. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were developed to evaluate recurrence and death,and survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2012,158 consecutive patients who underwent LT in the same medical center and by the same surgical team were identified. Among these patients,122(77.2%) were in the IBS group and 36(22.8%) in the non-IBS group. The overall survival(OS) and recurrence free survival(RFS) at 5 years were 59.7% and 83.3%,respectively. No differences in OS(P=0.51) or RFS(P=0.953) were detected between the IBS and non-IBS groups. On multivariate analysis for OS,degree of tumor differentiation remained as the only independent predictor. Regarding patients who received IBS,no differences were detected in OS or RFS(P=0.055 and P=0.512,respectively) according to the volume infused,even when outcomes at 90 d or longer were analyzed separately(P=0.518 for both outcomes).CONCLUSION: No differences in RFS or OS were detected according to IBS use. Trials addressing this question are justified and should be designed to detect small differences in long-term outcomes.
基金MT received studentship from Sao Paulo Research Foundation(2017/21655-6)HSB was a Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development researcher(425838/2016-1,307252/2017-5)This work was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior–Brasil(CAPES)–Finance Code 001 and FAPESP(2016/07115-6).
文摘Aging is a dynamic and progressive process that begins at conception and continues until death.This process leads to a decrease in homeostasis and morphological,biochemical and psychological changes,increasing the individual’s vulnerability to various diseases.The growth in the number of aging populations has increased the prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases,impairment of the central nervous system and dementias,such as Alzheimer’s disease,whose main risk factor is age,leading to an increase of the number of individuals who need daily support for life activities.Some theories about aging suggest it is caused by an increase of cellular senescence and reactive oxygen species,which leads to inflammation,oxidation,cell membrane damage and consequently neuronal death.Also,mitochondrial mutations,which are generated throughout the aging process,can lead to changes in energy production,deficiencies in electron transport and apoptosis induction that can result in decreased function.Additionally,increasing cellular senescence and the release of proinflammatory cytokines can cause irreversible damage to neuronal cells.Recent reports point to the importance of changing lifestyle by increasing physical exercise,improving nutrition and environmental enrichment to activate neuroprotective defense mechanisms.Therefore,this review aims to address the latest information about the different mechanisms related to neuroplasticity and neuronal death and to provide strategies that can improve neuroprotection and decrease the neurodegeneration caused by aging and environmental stressors.
文摘The recent global spread of the pandemic underscores the necessity of seeking new materials effective against microorganisms. Nanotechnology offers avenues for developing multifunctional materials. In this study, alpha-titanium phosphate (α-TiP) nanoparticles were synthesized and treated with silver salt to enhance their antimicrobial properties. The physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. It was revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis that the structural integrity of α-TiP was influenced by ethylenediamine and silver ions. Distinct degradation profiles for each chemical modification were shown by thermogravimetric analysis. Infrared spectroscopy detected shifts and new absorption peaks in the spectra depending on the type of modification. Energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the disaggregation of α-TiP galleries following the addition of silver salt, which increased their effectiveness against microorganisms. Notably, only the sample treated with silver ions exhibited antimicrobial action. Antimicrobial activity was tested against the bacteria of medical importance Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria momocytogenes and the yeast Candida albicans. All microorganisms were inhibited by sample containing silver. Minor inhibition was observed against the Gram-positive bacteria L. monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus, while the greatest inhibition occurred against the fungus (yeast) C. albicans. The results revealed a potential application of the nanoparticles for control of microorganisms in public health.
文摘Objective: Evaluate pretreatment sarcopenia and anemia as prognostic factors in women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer (CC) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: 151 women with CC were analysed in this cohort study. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) images were analysed to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI). Hazard ratios (HR) and multivariate Cox proportional HR were used to analyse association between low SMI, age, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin levels, histological type, and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage with PFS and OS. Results: A total of 151 patients were included, 53 (35.1%) presented pretreatment sarcopenia;51 (34%) stage I/II and 100 (66%) stage III/IV. Among those patients in advanced stage (III/IV) 37 (70%) (p = 0.28) were sarcopenic at the beginning of treatment. Sarcopenia was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in our cohort [HR 0.97 (p = 0.01)] [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)], as well as anemia [HR 0.73 (p = 0.001)] [HR 0.78 (p = 0.001)]. Linear regression models indicated that despite showing no association with age, neutrophil or platelet counts, sarcopenia was associated with pretreatment anemia levels (p = 0.01). After a multivariate analysis, only haemoglobin (anemia) and complete CCRT remained associated with PFS and OS. Sarcopenia and anemia were associated with worse PFS and OS in FIGO stage I/II. Conclusion: Pretreatment sarcopenia was significantly associated with low haemoglobin levels. Anemia and incomplete CCRT were independently associated with poor prognosis in women with CC. Pretreatment sarcopenia, as low SMI, was a predictor of poor prognostic in early stages of CC.
文摘Introduction: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a drop in the number of patients treated for cardiac emergencies raised concern about cardiovascular mortality in that period. An increase in care delay for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may have affected clinical outcomes. Objectives: To analyze delay times and clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Retrospective observational study that included patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI from December 2018 to July 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic cases were divided into two groups: pandemic I—from March to August 2020;and pandemic II—from September 2020 to July 2021. Patients were compared according to the period of hospitalization. Primary outcomes were delay times in assistance and clinical outcomes (acute kidney injury [AKI], post-procedural vascular complications and in-hospital mortality). Results: 108 patients were included, 39 (36.1%) in the pre-pandemic period, 13 (12.1%) in pandemic I and 56 (51.8%) in pandemic II. Time from onset of symptoms to arrival at the service and door-to-balloon time did not differ significantly among groups. Vascular complications were more frequent during the pandemic (I and II) than in the pre-pandemic period (2.5% pre-pandemic vs 15.4% pandemic vs 12.5% pandemic II;p = 0.03). AKI incidence was similar in all three periods. There was a non-significant increase in in-hospital mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: In patients with STEMI, there was an increase in vascular complications and a trend toward increased mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delay times to admission and reperfusion did not differ significantly between before and during the pandemic.
文摘Soymilk is one of the most available beverages, an alternative to dairy milk and is recognized for its nutritional value. The nutritional quality, the presence of anti-nutritional factors, isoflavones and sensory acceptability of soymilk depended on the soybean variety as well as the processing conditions. The soymilks from conventional and specialty Brazilian soybean cultivars were compared regarding the composition and consumer acceptance. There were significant differences on the protein, oil, sugars, isoflavones, presence of anti-nutritional factors (phytate and trypsin inhibitor activity) and NSI (nitrogen solubility index) among cultivars and soymilks and for sensory acceptance of soymilks. The preference mapping and cluster analysis identified three different segments of consumers. The soymilk from the conventional cultivar BRS284 achieved higher and similar acceptance score for the three consumer’s segments while the lipoxygenase free cultivars (BRS213 and BRS257) and specialty cultivar BRS216 showed higher score for two segments of consumers. The sensory evaluation of soymilk from different soybean cultivars could improve consumer uptake.
基金The authors thank fellowships and grants from CNPq(306401/2015-0,483287/2013-0,401896/2013-7,306980/2013-4,305069/2018-1,323422/2021-8,307670/2021-0)CAPES and FACEPE(APQ-0223-5.01/15,APQ-0419-5.01/15,APQ-0453-5.01/15).
文摘This study hypothesized that different land-use affect the microbial enzymatic stoichiometry and C-,N-,and P-acquisition in Brazilian semiarid soils.Thus,the enzymesβ-glucosidase(C-acquiring enzyme),urease(N-acquiring enzyme),and acid phosphatase(P-acquiring enzyme)were assessed in soil samples collected at 0−5 and 5−10 cm depth from a tropical dry forest,a protected area with Angico,a protected area with Ipê,scrub area,and an agricultural area with maize.The values of C-,N-,and P-acquiring enzymes were used to calculate the enzymatic C:N,C:P,and N:P ratios.The values of C:P and N:P ratios were higher at 0−5 cm depth,while no significant variation,between soil depth,was observed for C:N ratio.The values of C-and N-acquiring enzymes were higher at 0−5 cm in tropical dry forest areas and Angico forest,respectively.In all land use types,the values of vectors L and A were higher than 1°and 45°,respectively.This study showed that both land-use and soil depth influence the enzymatic stoichiometry,showing higher values of C-and N-acquiring enzymes in native and protected forests at soil surface.
文摘巴西医疗保险以统一医疗体系(Unified Health System,SUS)的免费医疗为主、私人保险为补充,已实现全民享有基本医疗服务。导致该国居民死亡的主要疾病是缺血性心脏病、脑卒中、下呼吸道感染,近年来AD、慢性肾脏病及糖尿病的发病率显著增高。以针灸为代表的中医疗法在19世纪初传入巴西,目前针灸治疗已得到较广泛的认可和应用,被纳入SUS,并在多所高校开设相关课程,但中医药整体特色有待加强,从业人员对中药的理解、运用不足,以及中医药教育缺乏规范等问题限制了中医药在巴西的发展。建议通过发挥中医药治未病的特色,加大中药研发力度并扩大市场,规范中医教育等措施,促进两国在中医药领域的广泛合作,推动中医药在巴西的发展与传播。
文摘BACKGROUND： Fibromyalgia （FMS） is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, whose etiology is not completely understood. Different therapeutic approaches have been used with inconsistent results. This observation does not invalidate the continued search for alternative treatments aimed at improving quality of life （QoL） in FMS. OBJECTIVE： This study compared three classica acupuncture （AC）, electroacupuncture （EAC） and promotion of QoL in FMS patients. traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） therapies： moxibustion （MX） in the management of pain and DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： A preliminary, group-assigned, comparative study enrolled 30 women, mean age （46.90_＋9.24） years （range 20-60 years）, who met the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS diagnosis and a pain-pressure threshold （PPT） 〈 4 kg/cm2. The study was conducted in a teaching tertiary-care medical institution from May 2010 through April 2012. AC, EAC and MX were delivered for 30 min, once a week, for 8 weeks, bilaterally at Neiguan （PC6）, Hegu （LI4）, Yanglingquan （GB34）, Sanyinjiao （SP6） and Taichong （LR3） acupoints. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Each week, immediately before treatment and after treatment, subjects were tested for PPTs, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale （WBFPS; for pain intensity） and Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey （SF-36： for QoL）. RESULTS： There was no significant improvement in pain or reduction of tender points in any of the groups studied, at the end of the 8th session. Significant improvement of QoL was perceived in vitality （after AC treatment） and in mental health （after EAC and MX treatments）. CONCLUSION： TCM therapies （AC, EAC and MX） promoted an improvement in the QoL in two areas （vitality and mental health） in FMS women. Further large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm this effect.
文摘Congenital central nervous system tumors diagnosed during pregnancy are rare, and often have a poor prognosis. The most frequent type is the teratoma. Use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance image allows the suspicion of brain tumors during pregnancy. However, the definitive diagnosis is only confirmed after birth by histology. The purpose of this mini-review article is to describe the general clinical aspects of intracranial tumors and describe the main fetal brain tumors.
基金supported by a grant provided by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brazil-Finance Code 001 and National Council for Scientific and Technological Developmentfinanced in part by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico and Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-Brasil--Finance Code 001funded by the Fundacao de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal with grants from demanda espontanea-Edital 09/2022
文摘Background:Hemodialysis(HD) per se is a risk factor for thrombosis.Considering the growing body of evidence on blood-flow restriction(BFR) exercise in HD patients,identification of possible risk factors related to the prothrombotic agent D-dimer is required for the safety and feasibility of this training model.The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors associated with higher D-dimer levels and to determine the acute effect of resistance exercise(RE) with BFR on this molecule.Methods:Two hundred and six HD patients volunteered for this study(all with a glomerular filtration rate of <15 mL/min/1.73 m2).The RE+BFR session consisted of 50% arterial occlusion pressure during 50 min sessions of HD(intradialytic exercise).RE repetitions included concentric and eccentric lifting phases(each lasting 2 s) and were supervised by a strength and conditioning specialist.Results:Several variables were associated with elevated levels of D-dimer,including higher blood glucose,citrate use,recent cardiovascular events,recent intercurrents,higher inflammatory status,catheter as vascular access,older patients(>70 years old),and HD vintage.Furthermore,RE+BFR significantly increases D-dimer after 4 h.Patients with borderline baseline D-dimer levels(400-490 ng/mL) displayed increased risk of elevating D-dimer over the normal range(≥500 ng/mL).Conclusion:These results identified factors associated with a heightened prothrombotic state and may assist in the screening process for HD patients who wish to undergo RE+BFR.D-dimer and/or other fibrinolysis factors should be assessed at baseline and throughout the protocol as a precautionary measure to maximize safety during RE+BFR.
文摘Introduction: The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is an inexpensive method to objectively evaluate physical capacity or limitation and stratify prognosis in patients with Heart Failure (HF). Since the clinical perception of symptoms may be adapted or compromised, regular evaluation from medical interviews often fails to determine functional classification. This study aimed to assess the correlation between New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA-FC) and the distance walked in the 6MWT. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study that included patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction followed up at an outpatient service of a teaching hospital, from August 2018 to April 2019. Patients in NYHA-FC I, II, or III were included. We compared NYHA-FC subjectively obtained during the consultation with the 6MWT performed after medical consultation, and the correlation between these two parameters was assessed. Results: The study included 70 patients with HF, 41 (58.6%) of whom were female. The mean age was 61.2 ± 12.7 years. The most prevalent etiologies were dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy (35.7%) followed by ischemic cardiomyopathy (25.7%). The mean ejection fraction was 34.1% ± 9.8%. The average distance walked in the 6MWT by NYHA-FC I patients was 437.8 ± 95.8 meters, NYHA-FC II 360.1 ± 96.4, and NYHA-FC III 248.4 ± 98.3. Functional class measured by the 6MWT was different than that estimated by NYHA-FC in 34 patients (48.6%), 23 (32.9%) for a higher functional class and 11 (15.7%) for a lower one (p = 0.07). Pearson’s correlation coefficient between NYHA-FC and the 6MWT was -0.55. Conclusion: There was a moderate correlation between the subjective NYHA-FC and the 6MWT. The 6MWT revealed a different classification from NYHA-FC in almost half of the patients. Among those who presented discrepancies between methods, 6MWT reclassification towards a higher functional class was more common.
基金supported by the National Innovation Agency of Portugal through the project Baterias 2030(Grant No.POCI-01-0247-FEDER-046109)J R E would like to acknowledge the Fundación General CSIC’s ComFuturo programme which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No.101034263+2 种基金The authors appreciate Dr Laura Simonelli and Dr Vlad Martin Diaconescu for their assistance in XAS measurements at the beamline BL22-CLÆSS,ALBA synchrotron(experiment AV-2022025706)R M is grateful to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)for the doctoral grant(Grant No.2021.06496.BD)R M and A M are grateful for the financial support from:LA/P/0045/2020,UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511/2020,funded by the national funds through FCT/MCTES(PIDDAC)。
文摘Proton exchange membrane(PEM)water electrolysis represents a promising technology for green hydrogen production,but its widespread deployment is greatly hindered by the indispensable usage of platinum group metal catalysts,especially iridium(Ir)based materials for the energy-demanding oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Herein,we report a new sequential precipitation approach to the synthesis of mixed Ir-nickel(Ni)oxy-hydroxide supported on antimony-doped tin oxide(ATO)nanoparticles(IrNiyO_(x)/ATO,20 wt.%(Ir+Ni),y=0,1,2,and 3),aiming to reduce the utilisation of scarce and precious Ir while maintaining its good acidic OER performance.When tested in strongly acidic electrolyte(0.1 M HClO_(4)),the optimised IrNi1Ox/ATO shows a mass activity of 1.0 mAµgIr^(−1) and a large turnover frequency of 123 s^(−1) at an overpotential of 350 mV,as well as a comparatively small Tafel slope of 50 mV dec^(−1),better than the IrOx/ATO control,particularly with a markedly reduced Ir loading of only 19.7µgIr cm^(−2).Importantly,IrNi1O_(x)/ATO also exhibits substantially better catalytic stability than other reference catalysts,able to continuously catalyse acidic OER at 10 mA cm^(−2) for 15 h without obvious degradation.Our in-situ synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed that the Ir^(3+)/Ir^(4+)species are the active sites for the acidic OER.Furthermore,the performance of IrNi1Ox/ATO was also preliminarily evaluated in a membrane electrode assembly,which shows better activity and stability than other reference catalysts.The IrNi1Ox/ATO reported in this work is a promising alternative to commercial IrO_(2) based catalysts for PEM electrolysis.
文摘Congenital heart disease(CHD)is the most common type of birth defect,representing a significant cause of peri-natal morbidity and mortality.Early diagnosis of such anomalies is crucial for improving outcomes.Current pro-tocols recommend a qualitative assessment of cardiac structures using two-dimensional ultrasound(2DUS)and color Doppler imaging.In cases of suspected abnormalities,quantitative assessments through cardiac structure measurements and reference curves can aid in accurate diagnosis.Similar to centiles widely employed in obste-trics,Z-scores provide more precise quantification of various cardiac structures,particularly at the extremes of the curve.While the development of reference curves and Z-scores has progressed over the past two decades,a lack of standardization in measurements and statistical methodology for their determination is evident.Establishing reference curves requires adherence to specific recommendations to improve their accuracy.The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the major studies that have generated reference values for cardiac struc-tures using 2DUS and Z-scores,to evaluate their methodology,and to provide a summary of the results.
文摘BACKGROUND Excessive saturated fat intake compromises the integrity of the intestinal mucosa,leading to low-grade inflammation,impaired mucosal integrity,and increased intestinal permeability,resulting in the migration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)to other tissues.AIM To evaluate the chronic effects(at 10 and 16 wk)of a high-fat diet(HFD)(with 50%energy as fat)on the phylogenetic gut microbiota distribution and intestinal barrier structure and protection in C57BL/6 mice.METHODS Forty adult male mice were divided into four nutritional groups,where the letters refer to the type of diet(control and HFD or HF)and the numbers refer to the period(in weeks)of diet administration:Control diet for 10 wk,HFD for 10 wk,control diet for 16 wk,and HFD for 16 wk.After sacrifice,biochemical,molecular,and stereological analyses were performed.RESULTS The HF groups were overweight,had gut dysbiosis,had a progressive decrease in occludin immunostaining,and had increased LPS concentrations.Dietary progression reduced the number of goblet cells per large intestine area and Mucin2 expression in the HF16 group,consistent with a completely disarranged intestinal ultrastructure after 16 wk of HFD intake.CONCLUSION Chronic HFD intake causes overweight,gut dysbiosis,and morphological and functional alterations of the intestinal barrier after 10 or 16 wk.Time-dependent reductions in goblet cell numerical density and mucus production have emerged as targets for countering obesity-driven intestinal damage.
文摘Orchiectomy is the recommended treatment for many testicular conditions.However,testicular prosthesis placement is not always performed for different reasons.In this study,we aimed to evaluate patients'opinions and the impact on sexual function and quality of life.This retrospective observational single-center study included patients who underwent orchiectomy between January 2014 and December 2020 at the Department of Urology,Braga's Hospital(Braga,Portugal),where testicular implants were always available and the decision to undergo the procedure was made fully independent of cost.Patients completed four questionnaires that assessed demographic data,satisfaction,self-esteem,and sexual function.Of the 96 patients who underwent orchidectomy,59 replied to the questionnaires,and of these patients,86.4%decided to undergo silicone-based testicular prostheses implantation.The remaining 13.6%refused the implant based on concerns about complications(37.5%),because they felt that it was unnecessary(37.5%),or because it was not offered by the doctor(25.0%).Overall,96.1%of these patients were satisfied with the implant;however,25.5%classified it as"too firm".No statistically significant differences were found in sexual function(all P>0.05).However,it can be observed that there are more patients with prostheses presenting normal sexual activity compared to patients without prostheses(74.0%vs 50.0%),and none of them reported severe erectile dysfunction(0 vs 16.7%).Regarding self-esteem,both patients with and without prostheses present very similar average scores with no statistically significant differences.The present study highlights the highest level of satisfaction among patients who received testicular prostheses.Testicular prostheses implantation is a safe procedure that does not hamper sexual function after orchiectomy.
基金This study was supported by grants from the Foundation for Research Support of Rio de Janeiro(FAPERJ,grant No.E26/201.098/2022)the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel(CAPES)the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq,grant No.302808/2022-1).
文摘The objective of this study was to investigate whether treatment with Tribulus terrestris(Tt)has any impact on the testicular morphology and function in a rodent model.Twenty male rats were divided into a control group and a group receiving 100 mg kg^(-1) body weight of Tt supplementation.After 4o days of experiment,the animals were submitted to euthanasia;epididymal tail spermatozoa were collected;and spermatozoa concentration,motility,and viability were analyzed.In addition,testicles were collected and processed for histomorphometrical analyses.Data were compared using the Student's t-test and considered significant when P<O.05.Spermatozoa concentration,motility,and viability showed no difference between the groups.Further,testicular weight and volume,seminiferous tubule diameter,tunica propria surface density,seminiferous epithelium surface density,and intertubular compartment surface density were statistically similar between the groups.However,seminiferous epithelium height and tubular lumen surface density were augmented in animals treated with Tt.Treatment with Tt does not cause a major impact on testicular morphology,promoting only subtle modifications.No difference on spermatozoa parameters was observed.
基金Supported by Financiamento e IncentivoàPesquisa(FIPE/HCPA)of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre,No.2020-0473.
文摘BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an aggressive malignant neoplasm that requires liver transplantation(LT).Despite patients with HCC being prioritized by most organ allocation systems worldwide,they still have to wait for long periods.Locoregional therapies(LRTs)are employed as bridging therapies in patients with HCC awaiting LT.Although largely used in the past,transarterial embolization(TAE)has been replaced by transarterial chemoembolization(TACE).However,the superiority of TACE over TAE has not been consistently shown in the literature.AIM To compare the outcomes of TACE and TAE in patients with HCC awaiting LT.METHODS All consecutive patients with HCC awaiting LT between 2011 and 2020 at a single center were included.All patients underwent LRT with either TACE or TAE.Some patients also underwent percutaneous ethanol injection(PEI),concom-itantly or in different treatment sessions.The choice of LRT for each HCC nodule was determined by a multidisciplinary consensus.The primary outcome was waitlist dropout due to tumor progression,and the secondary outcome was the occurrence of adverse events.In the subset of patients who underwent LT,complete pathological response and post-transplant recurrence-free survival were also assessed.RESULTS Twelve(18.5%)patients in the TACE group(only TACE and TACE+PEI;n=65)and 3(7.9%)patients in the TAE group(only TAE and TAE+PEI;n=38)dropped out of the waitlist due to tumor progression(P log-rank test=0.29).Adverse events occurred in 8(12.3%)and 2(5.3%)patients in the TACE and TAE groups,respectively(P=0.316).Forty-eight(73.8%)of the 65 patients in the TACE group and 29(76.3%)of the 38 patients in the TAE group underwent LT(P=0.818).Among these patients,complete pathological response was detected in 7(14.6%)and 9(31%)patients in the TACE and TAE groups,respectively(P=0.145).Post-LT,HCC recurred in 9(18.8%)and 4(13.8%)patients in the TACE and TAE groups,respectively(P=0.756).Posttransplant recurrence-free survival was similar between the groups(P log-rank test=0.71).CONCL
