e renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The detailed mechanisms underlying the clinical benefits of SGLT2 inhibition by gliflozins still warrant further investigation that may serve as a basis for future drug development.The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands (GFLs) comprise a group of four homologous and potent growth factors that includes GDNF, neurturin (NRTN), artemin (ARTN), and persephin (PSPN). The survival, growth, and mitotic activities of the GFLs are conveyed by a single receptor tyrosine kinase, Ret. The GFLs do not bind directly to Ret in order to activate it, and instead bind with high affinity to glycerophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored coreceptors called the GDNF family receptor-αs (GFRαs). Several mechanisms have recently been identified that influence the trafficking of Ret and GFRαs in and out of the plasma membrane, thereby affecting their availability for ligand binding, as well as their levels by targeting to degradative pathways. This review describes these mechanisms and their powerful effects on GFL signaling and function. We also describe the recent discovery that p75 and Ret form a signaling complex, also regulated by plasma membrane shuttling, that either enhances GFL survival signals or p75 pro-apoptotic signals, dependent on the cellular context.

This cross-sectional study investigates the association between insulin resistance (IR) and serum uric acid (sUA) and relative fat (RFM) and lean mass (RLM) profiles in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

RLM and RFM were assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy in 41 children and adolescents. Normal weight obesity (NWO) was defined as normal height-age body mass index and RFM >85th percentile, according to age and sex. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) level >95th percentile, according to sex and pubertal stage, and sUA >7mg/dl were used to define IR and hyperuricemia, respectively.

High RFM (15 patients) and NWO (7 patients) were associated with higher HOMA-IR in total (p < 0.001) and normal-weight patients (p = 0.004), respectively. RFM was positively and RLM negatively correlated to HOMA-IR (rs = 0.500, p = 0.001 and rs = -0.539, p < 0.001, respectively) and sUA (rs = 0.370, p = 0.017 and rs = -0.325, p = 0.038, respectively), while sUA was positively correlated to HOMA-IR (rs = 0.337, p = 0.031). Hyperuricemia (16 patients) was positively associated with higher RFM and HOMA-IR (p = 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). The correlation between sUA and HOMA-IR lost significance after adjustment for RFM. In logistic regression analysis, a 5% increase in RFM was associated with IR (11 patients) independently of the age, sex, sUA, and CKD stage in both total (OR 2.174, 95% CI 1.115-4.225) and normal-weight (OR 3.504, 95% CI 1.110-11.123) patients.

Children with high RFM, including those presenting NWO, are at risk for IR regardless of CKD stage. Vorinostat RFM is probably the mediator of the link between sUA and IR.

Children with high RFM, including those presenting NWO, are at risk for IR regardless of CKD stage. RFM is probably the mediator of the link between sUA and IR.Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is currently circulating in domestic and wild animals, but our knowledge about CPV-2 infections in raccoon dogs is limited. In this study, VP2 gene sequences of CPV-2 were amplified from rectal swabs of 14 diarrhetic raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Hebei province, China, in 2016 and 2017. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP2 gene sequences revealed that most of these sequences (11 of 14) belonged to the same subclade as raccoon dog strain CPV-2/Raccoon_Dog/China/DP-1/16 isolated from Shandong province in 2016. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences revealed presence of the substitutions S297A and S27T in 11 of those 14 sequences. I418T was observed in a minority of the sequences (4 of 14). In addition, A300D and T301I, P13S and I219V, and N419K were found in three of the sequences. This study shows that CPV-2 strains with different substitutions in their VP2 amino acid sequences were spreading among raccoon dogs in Hebei during 2016 and 2017 and suggests that further studies are needed to monitor the distribution of these strains in China.

Root canal sealers are widely used worldwide in endodontics to prevent reinfection and growth of surviving microorganisms. Considering the strong correlation between genetic damage and carcinogenesis, evaluation of genotoxicity induced by endodontic sealers is recommended for elucidating the true health risks to patients and professionals. The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of studies involving genotoxicity analysis of endodontic sealers and the used methodologies.

A literature search was made in PubMed using the following combination of words “genotoxicity,” “mutagenicity,” “endodontic sealers,” and “root canal sealers.” A total of 39 articles with genotoxicity studies were selected for the present study.

Sealers have been ranked in decreasing order of their genotoxicity as ZOE sealers > GIC sealers > S sealers > ER sealers > MR sealers > Novel sealers > CH sealers > CS sealers.

All published data showed some evidence of genotoxicity for most of the commercial root canal sealers; however, contradictory results were found, mainly for AH Plus, the most studied sealer.

The information provided would direct the endodontists to use the less genotoxic materials in endodontic treatment in a way to reduce DNA damage promoting oral healthcare.

The information provided would direct the endodontists to use the less genotoxic materials in endodontic treatment in a way to reduce DNA damage promoting oral healthcare.

The aim of this study is to develop a practice model to enhance the provision of sexuality nursing care for patients with gynaecological cancers.

A concept mapping approach with three phases was adopted, with phase I involving individual interviews, phase II producing a concept map, and phase III evaluating the applicability of the concept map to clinical practice. A sample of 80 participants, consisting of patients with gynaecological cancers, their spouses/partners, and registered nurses and physicians, was recruited from the gynaecological oncology unit of two acute hospitals in Hong Kong. The participants were involved in all three phases.

In phase I, 50 statements were generated from the interviews. In phase II, we applied statistical techniques to produce a concept map illustrating the relationships and clustering between the statements. The map depicted seven clusters of statements in descending level of importance discussion about sexual impact of treatment, organisational support, information-giving, attitude towards sexuality care, personnel involved in sexuality care delivery, timing of sexuality care delivery, and mode of sexuality care delivery.