Search Results (944)

Background/Objectives: Substance use disorders and eating disorders frequently co-occur and are both associated with increased aggression. As a result, individuals with these conditions are overrepresented in prison populations. The present study investigated whether symptoms of eating disorders in male forensic psychiatric inpatients with substance use disorders are associated with heightened aggression. To this end, various forms of aggressive behavior—including spontaneous and reactive aggression, excitability, and violent offenses—were analyzed. Methods: Fifty-six male patients from two forensic psychiatric hospitals in Germany participated in the study. Symptoms of eating disorders were evaluated with the German version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and aggression was measured with the Short Questionnaire for the Assessment of Aggression Factors (K-FAF) and by considering the violent index offense. Data were analyzed by generalized linear models, with age and body mass index (BMI) included as covariates. Results: Higher EDE-Q scores significantly predicted increased spontaneous aggression and excitability. However, no significant association was found between eating disorder symptoms and reactive aggression or the likelihood of a violent index offense. Age and BMI did not significantly influence any aggression subscales. Conclusions: The findings suggest that in patients with substance use disorder, eating disorder symptoms may be linked to heightened internalized forms of aggression. These results support the clinical relevance of screening for eating disorder symptoms in forensic psychiatric settings and integrating dietary interventions into therapeutic efforts to manage aggression. Full article

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of the first-wave dominant follicle (DF) in the ovary ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (CL) in lactating dairy cows and dairy heifers. A total of 505 estruses were investigated (lactating dairy cows, n = 361; dairy heifers, n = 144). The locations of the preovulatory follicle (PF) and regressed CL were examined at the estrus, and the locations of the first-wave dominant follicle (DF) and newly formed CL were examined seven days after estrus using transrectal ultrasonography. Then, cows were classified into two groups: the first-wave DF in the ovary ipsilateral to the CL (IG) and the first-wave DF in the ovary contralateral to the CL (CG). To evaluate the factors which affect the occurrence of IG and CG, binominal logistic regression analysis was conducted; the location of the PF and regressing CL, season (warm: June–September; cool: October–May), live weight, days in milk at estrus, daily milk production, and body condition score were used as independent variables. The occurrence rate of IG was significantly higher when the PF was located contralateral to the regressing CL (lactating dairy cows, 63.4%; dairy heifers, 58.6%) rather than ipsilateral (lactating dairy cows, 44.9%; dairy heifers, 35.1%). The IG occurrence rate was significantly higher with an increase in daily milk production (<30 kg, 47.3%; 30–40 kg, 55.2%; >40 kg, 60.5%) in lactating dairy cows. In conclusion, the occurrence of IG was associated with relative locations of the PF and regressing CL in lactating dairy cows and dairy heifers and with the level of milk production in lactating dairy cows. Full article

Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) represents an important public health challenge, especially among education workers, whose intense routine can negatively impact eating habits. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the regular consumption of UPF among employees of the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education (RFEPCT) in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, carried out with 1563 education workers. Validated instruments on eating habits (PeNSE), mental health (DASS-21) and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref) were used. The regular consumption of UPF was defined as intake on ≥5 days in the last seven days. The association between the regular consumption of UPF and sociodemographic, occupational, behavioral, mental health and quality of life variables was assessed by Poisson regression with robust variance, generating adjusted prevalence ratios (PRadj) and respective 95% confidence intervals. Results: The regular consumption of UPF was associated mainly with female gender, a lower age group, Southeast and Midwest regions, dissatisfaction with sleep and the body, physical inactivity and poor sleep quality. In addition, the findings suggested a significant relationship between the worst stress scores and soft drinks (PRadj: 2.11; CI: 1.43–3.13), anxiety and soft drinks (PRadj: 1.83; CI: 1.24–2.70) and depression and industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods (PRadj: 2.43; CI: 1.82–3.26). The same was observed in the scores for the worst perception of quality of life, where there was a prevalence of up to 2.32 in the psychological domain and the consumption of industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods. Conclusions: The findings indicate that multiple interrelated factors—individual, psychosocial and occupational—are associated with the consumption of UPF among education workers. These results reinforce the importance of institutional policies that integrate actions to promote dietary health, mental health care and improved working conditions in the education sector. Full article

This story began half a century ago with the discovery of an unusually high presence of tryptophan (Trp, W) in transthyretin (TTR), one of the three carrier proteins of thyroid hormones. With the Trp-rich retinol-binding protein (RBP), TTR forms a plasma complex implicated in the delivery of retinoid compounds to body tissues. W has the lowest concentration among all AAs involved in the sequencing of human body proteins. The present review proposes molecular maps focusing on the ratio of W/AA residues found in the sequence of proteins involved in immune events, allowing us to ascribe the guidance of inflammatory processes as fully under the influence of W. Under the control of cytokine stimulation, plasma biomarkers of protein nutritional status work in concert with major acute-phase reactants (APRs) and with carrier proteins to release, in a free and active form, their W and hormonal ligands, interacting to generate hot spots affecting the course of acute stress disorders. The prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) scoring formula contributes to identifying the respective roles played by each of the components prevailing during the progression of the disease. Glucagon demonstrates ambivalent properties, remaining passive under steady-state conditions while displaying stronger effects after cytokine activation. In developing countries, inappropriate weaning periods lead to toddlers eating W-deficient cereals as a staple, causing a dramatic reduction in the levels of W-rich biomarkers in plasma, constituting a novel nutritional deficiency at the global scale. Appropriate counseling should be set up using W implementations to cover the weaning period and extended until school age. In adult and elderly subjects, the helpful immune protections provided by W may be hindered by the surge in harmful catabolites with the occurrence of chronic complications, which can have a significant public health impact but lack the uncontrolled surges in PINI observed in young infants and teenagers. Biomarkers of neurodegenerative and neoplastic disorders measured in elderly patients indicate the slow-moving elevation of APRs due to rampant degradation processes. Full article

Accurate estimation of metabolizable energy requirements (MER) is essential for appropriate dietary planning in dogs. However, standardized recommendations may not reflect the variability observed in clinical practice, particularly regarding individual factors such as neutering status, body condition, and age. This study aimed to retrospectively assess the MER factor in dogs treated at a Brazilian veterinary hospital, considering variables including sex, neuter status, body condition score (BCS), muscle mass score (MMS), body size, and life stage, and to compare the findings with those typically reported in the scientific literature. A total of 438 medical records from 2013 to 2025 were reviewed for this study. Data on demographic and clinical variables were collected, and MER factors were calculated based on energy intake and body weight. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the interactions between variables, particularly BCS and neutering status. The study population included 253 males (57.8%) and 185 females (42.2%), with 80.6% of them being neutered. The MER values varied widely across the subgroups. Neutered dogs had consistently lower energy factors than intact dogs (p < 0.0001), and energy requirements decreased progressively with increasing BCS, regardless of neutering status (p < 0.05). A significant interaction between BCS and neutering status was observed (p = 0.0089), although BCS alone was not a significant predictor (p = 0.9670). No substantial differences were observed based on sex, body size, or life stage. MER values observed in clinical practice differ from standard recommendations and are influenced by the interaction between neutering status and body condition. These findings reinforce the need for individualized nutritional assessments in companion animal medicine and call for further studies to refine clinical energy estimation models. Full article

Background/Objectives: Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent whose clinical use is limited by side effects (SEs). The most common SE is doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC), for which there is still no prevention. The hypothesis arises that active substances of natural origin could influence DIC prevention by affecting several pathways of DIC occurrence. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups (control, NADES (C8:C10) solvent, pumpkin pulp extract, doxorubicin, NADES (C8:C10) solvent–doxorubicin, and pumpkin pulp extract–doxorubicin). During the experiment, parameters of general condition, body, and heart weight were observed. Heart function parameters were monitored by measuring the levels of serum NT-pro-BNP, CK-MB, and hsTnT. Tissue damage was evaluated by determining the doxorubicin damage score and the expression of anti-cardiac troponin I, anti-Nrf2, anti-Bcl-2, anti-caspase-3, anti-COX2, and anti-Ki67 antibodies. Results: Doxorubicin administration led to impaired general condition of animals and increased the levels of NT-proBNP, CK-MB, hsTnT, and myocardium tissue damage of medium grade. Its administration induced apoptosis (as evidenced by elevated Casp3), reduced antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and troponin I expression in cardiomyocytes. Reduced Nrf2 expression due to doxorubicin administration was restored when pumpkin pulp extract containing carotenoids was coadministered, which led to the normalization of Casp3, Bcl-2, and troponin I expression. Consequently, the general condition and body weight were better in animals treated with both doxorubicin and the other treatment compared to those treated with doxorubicin alone. Conclusions: The results of this study strongly suggest that pumpkin pulp extract containing carotenoids has a cardioprotective effect, possibly by regulating the Nrf2 pathway. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Research has focused largely on older women, while experiences of younger women remain relatively underexplored despite challenges unique to this population. Informed by the biopsychosocial model of illness, this study aims to assess the symptom burden, treatment goals, and information needs of younger women complaining of prolapse by analyzing questionnaire responses from an existing electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire—Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF) dataset. Methods: Mixed-methods content analysis was conducted using free-text data from an anonymized multi-site ePAQ-PF dataset of 5717 responses collected across eight UK NHS trusts (2018–2022). A quantitative, deductive approach was first used to identify younger women (≤50 years old) with self-reported prolapse. ePAQ-PF scores for younger women with prolapse were compared with those aged >50 years, using Mann–Whitney tests. Free-text response data were analyzed inductively to qualitatively explore younger women’s symptom burden, treatment goals, and information needs. Results: Of the 1473 women with prolapse identified, 399 were aged ≤50 years. ePAQ-PF scores of the younger cohort demonstrated significantly greater symptom severity and bother than those aged >50, particularly in bowel, prolapse, vaginal, body image, and sexual health domains (p < adjusted threshold). Qualitative analysis undertaken to understand women’s concerns and priorities produced five health-related themes (physical health; functionality; psychosocial and emotional wellbeing; reproductive and sexual health; and healthcare journeys) and a sixth intersecting theme representing information needs. Conclusions: The findings highlight the substantial symptom burden of younger women with prolapse, as well as treatment goals and information needs specific to this population. The development of age-specific resources is identified as a requirement to support this group. Full article

Cellulite is a widespread aesthetical dermatological condition affecting a significant proportion of postpubertal women, characterized by dimpled skin, primarily on the thighs, buttocks, and hips, which has an important psychological impact. Cellulite, also called lipodystrophy or oedematosclerotic panniculitis, causes an aesthetic change in the skin that affects the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis and subcutaneous fat in different ways. The aim of the present prospective study research was to evaluate the efficacy of electromagnetic field and negative pressure in the treatment of cellulite. Methods: A total of 35 women with an average age of 40, ranging from 18 to 50 (mean 32.2 ± 7.48), with a body mass index between 18.5 and 26.9 (mean 22 ± 3.01), were enrolled in this study. The degree of cellulite of the patients was assessed clinically using the Cellulite Severity Scale (CSS) and Nürnberger–Müller classification. All patients received one session per week for a total 12 treatment sessions with Bi-one^® LifeTouchTherapy medical device (Expo Italia Srl—Florence—Italy), which generates a combination of vacuum and electromagnetic fields (V-EMF). Total treatment time was approximately 20–30 min per patient. The GAIS score, Cellulite Severity Scale (CSS) and Nürnberger–Müller classification for cellulite was evaluated 1 month after the 12 treatments with LifeTouchTherapy. Results: A statistical difference was recorded in cellulite improvement by visual analog scale (VAS) and global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS). Conclusions: The results of the present prospective clinical study show the efficacy and safety of Bi-one^® LifeTouchTherapy in the treatment of cellulite. Electromagnetic fields combined with negative pressure therapy promote tissue regeneration and reduce fibrosis, which results in visible cosmetic improvements of cellulite. Full article

Background and Objectives: Urothelial bladder carcinoma includes a spectrum of malignant lesions with heterogeneous molecular, biological, and clinical features and a variable risk of progression from non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to muscle-invasive disease (MIBC) and ultimately to metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Sarcopenia, a condition secondary to a catabolic state, is characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function and is highly prevalent across all stages of bladder cancer. This review aims to synthesize current evidence regarding the clinical impact of sarcopenia and its dynamic changes throughout the disease course. Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, incorporating the most relevant published sources. Search terms included “bladder carcinoma”, “sarcopenia”, “body composition”, “NMIBC”, and “MIBC”. Case reports and congress abstracts were excluded. Results: In NMIBC treated with intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), sarcopenia has been shown to have a negative predictive value in some studies. Among patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for MIBC, sarcopenia has been associated with increased toxicity, dose reductions, and treatment delays. In the context of radical surgery, sarcopenia correlates with increased postoperative mortality and a higher rate of severe complications. In mUC, low muscle mass is a negative prognostic factor regardless of treatment type and is associated with chemotherapy-related hematologic toxicity, although it does not appear to predict immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Conclusions: Sarcopenia is a highly prevalent and clinically relevant phenotype of urothelial bladder cancer patients, impacting prognosis, treatment response, and chemotherapy toxicity. Incorporating sarcopenia with other relevant components of body composition (BC) and systemic inflammatory markers may facilitate the development of more robust risk scores. Current evidence is primarily limited by the retrospective design of most studies. Future prospective research is needed to clarify the prognostic role of sarcopenia and support its integration into routine clinical decision-making. Full article

Class IV laser therapy has emerged as a promising non-invasive tool to promote tissue repair, but its effects on post-surgical wound healing in small animals remain underexplored. This preliminary study investigated the impact of class IV laser therapy on surgical wound healing in 49 dogs and cats. Each surgical incision was divided into a Laser Zone (LZ) and a Control Zone (CZ). Wound healing was assessed at three timepoints (T0, T1, T2) using standardized clinical parameters: skin thickness, skin color, presence of hematoma, regional temperature, skin elasticity, and presence of fluids. The LZ consistently showed reduced skin thickness, more vivid pinkish skin color, faster hematoma resolution, increased regional temperature, improved skin elasticity, and decreased fluid accumulation compared to the CZ. These effects were observed across different species, ages, sexes, and body condition scores, indicating robust biological consistency. The results suggest that class IV laser therapy accelerates post-surgical wound healing by modulating inflammation, enhancing vascularization, and supporting extracellular matrix remodeling. This technique may serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional wound management in veterinary practice. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore long-term outcomes. Full article

Accurate body condition score (BCS) monitoring in dairy cows is essential for optimizing health, productivity, and welfare. Traditional manual scoring methods are labor-intensive and subjective, driving interest in automated imaging-based systems. This study evaluated the effectiveness of 2D imaging and deep learning for BCS classification using three camera perspectives—front, back, and top-down—to identify the most reliable viewpoint. The research involved 56 Norwegian Red milking cows at the Center for Livestock Experiments (SHF) of Norges Miljo-og Biovitenskaplige Universitet (NMBU) in Norway. Images were classified into BCS categories of 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 using a YOLOv8 model. The back view achieved the highest classification precision (mAP@0.5 = 0.439), confirming that key morphological features for BCS assessment are best captured from this angle. Challenges included misclassification due to overlapping features, especially in Class 2.5 and background data. The study recommends improvements in algorithmic feature extraction, dataset expansion, and multi-view integration to enhance accuracy. Integration with precision farming tools enables continuous monitoring and early detection of health issues. This research highlights the potential of 2D imaging as a cost-effective alternative to 3D systems, particularly for small and medium-sized farms, supporting more effective herd management and improved animal welfare. Full article

Neonatal calves possess an immature and naïve immune system and are reliant on the intake of maternal colostrum for the passive transfer of immunoglobulins. Maternal antibodies delivered to the calf via colostrum, are crucial to prevent calfhood diseases and death. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is a condition in which calves do not acquire enough maternal antibodies, mostly in the form of IgG, due to inadequate colostrum quality or delayed colostrum feeding. The diagnosis and risk factors for FTPI have been widely studied in dairy cattle; however, in beef calves, the research interest in the topic is relatively recent, and the most adequate diagnostic and preventative methods are still in development, making it difficult to define recommendations for the assessment and prevention of FTPI in cow–calf operations. The objective of this scoping review is to identify the published literature on best practices for colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity (TPI) in neonatal beef calves. The literature was searched using three electronic databases (CAB Direct, Scopus, and PubMed) for publications from 2003 to 2025. The search process was performed during the period from May to July 2023, and was repeated in January 2025. All screening processes were performed using Covidence systematic review software (Veritas Health Innovation, Melbourne, Australia). A total of 800 studies were initially identified through database searches. After removing duplicates, 346 studies were screened based on their titles and abstracts, leading to the exclusion of 260 studies. The remaining 86 studies underwent full-text screening, and 58 studies were considered eligible for data extraction. Hand-searching the references from published review papers on the subject yielded an additional five studies, bringing the total to 63 included articles. The prevalence of FTPI has been estimated to be between 5.8% and 34.5% in beef calves. Factors studied related to colostrum management include quality and quantity of colostrum intake, the timing and method of colostrum feeding, and the microbial content of the colostrum. Studies on risk factors related to the calf include the topics calf sex, twin status, calf vigor, weight, month of birth, cortisol and epinephrine concentrations, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to calves after difficult calving. The dam-related risk factors studied include dam body condition score and udder conformation, breed, parity, genetics, prepartum vaccinations and nutrition, calving area and difficulty, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at C-section. Most importantly for beef systems, calves with low vigor and a weak suckling reflex are at high risk for FTPI; therefore, these calves should be given extra attention to ensure an adequate consumption of colostrum. While serum IgG levels of < 8 g/L or < 10 g/L have been suggested as cutoffs for the diagnosis of FTPI, 16 g/L and 24 g/L have emerged as cutoffs for adequate and optimal serum IgG levels in beef calves. Several field-ready diagnostics have been compared in various studies to the reference standards for measuring indicators of TPI in beef calves, where results often differ between models or manufacturers. Therefore, care must be taken when interpreting these results. Full article

Thanatosomes (hyaline globules or death bodies) are histologically observed in various non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions. Some of these globules are associated with apoptotic cell death. Only six documented cases of thanatosomes have been reported in breast tumors. In this rare case involving a 64-year-old Japanese woman diagnosed as having rectal cancer, preoperative computed tomography scanning revealed breast cancer in her right breast. Following a right total mastectomy, a tumor characterized as apocrine carcinoma (carcinoma with apocrine differentiation) containing thanatosomes was discovered. These globules are PAS positive and diastase resistant, exhibit deep fuchsinophilic staining with Masson’s trichrome, stain dark blue with PTAH, and are negative for mucin by Alcian blue. The tumor cells tested positive for the androgen receptor, FOXA1, and GCDFP15. Human epidermal growth factor type 2 (HER2)/neu score was 3+/positive, and the Ki-67 labeling index was 60%. Thus, the tumor represented high-grade, HER2-enriched apocrine carcinoma. Thanatosomes are immunoreactive to cleaved caspase-3 and are histological markers of high cell turnover and apoptotic cell death. Therefore, in this nonspecific microscopic neoplastic condition, they are typically linked to high-grade tumors, as this case showed. This report presents a rare case of apocrine breast cancer featuring a limited number of thanatosomes. Full article

Background: Brain injuries, including stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), pose a major healthcare challenge due to their severe consequences and complex recovery. While ischemic strokes are more common, hemorrhagic strokes have a worse prognosis. TBI often affects young adults and leads to long-term disability. A critical concern in these patients is the frequent development of chronic critical illness, compounded by metabolic disturbances and malnutrition that hinder recovery. Objective: This study aimed to compare changes in nutritional status parameters under standard enteral nutrition protocols and clinical outcomes in prolonged/chronic critically ill patients with TBI or stroke versus such a population of patients without TBI or stroke. Methods: This matched prospective–retrospective cohort study included intensive care unit (ICU) patients with TBI or stroke from the Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology and patients without these conditions from the eICU-CRD database. Inclusion criteria comprised age 18–74 years, ICU stay >5 days, and enteral nutrition. Patients with re-hospitalization, diabetes, acute organ failure, or incomplete data were excluded. Laboratory values and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics (age, sex, and body mass index). Results: After PSM, 29 patients with TBI or stroke and 121 without were included. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in 21 laboratory parameters and three hospitalization outcomes. On day 1, the TBI/stroke group had higher hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes, total protein, and albumin, but lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and glucose. By day 20, they had statistically significantly lower calcium, BUN, creatinine, and glucose. This group also showed less change in lymphocytes, calcium, and direct bilirubin. Hospitalization outcomes showed longer mechanical ventilation duration (p = 0.030) and fewer cases of acute kidney injury (p = 0.0220) in the TBI/stroke group. Conclusions: TBI and stroke patients exhibit unique metabolic patterns during prolonged/chronic critical illness, differing significantly from other ICU populations in protein/glucose metabolism and complication rates. These findings underscore the necessity for specialized nutritional strategies in neurocritical care and warrant further investigation into targeted metabolic interventions. Full article

This article highlights the importance of evaluating the morphological characteristics of female dogs during breeding soundness examinations (BSEs) to assess their reproductive potential and ensure the health of future offspring. Key traits considered in this evaluation include body type, body condition score, skull size and shape, mammary gland conformation, and coat quality. Each of these factors plays a significant role in the health and fertility of breeding females. For example, deviations from breed standards in body size can lead to complications during pregnancy and whelping, while an inappropriate body condition score may disrupt hormonal balance and reproductive cycles. This review also addresses concerns related to brachycephalic breeds, whose conformation can contribute to respiratory and reproductive issues. Additionally, assessing vertebral and pelvic conformation is crucial to prevent dystocia and other complications during delivery. By systematically evaluating these morphological traits, veterinarians can promote ethical breeding practices that prioritize the welfare and genetic health of both breeding females and their puppies. Therefore, integrating comprehensive morphological evaluations into BSEs is essential for responsible dog breeding management, ultimately supporting better reproductive outcomes and healthier future generations. Full article