Articles

Retracing the evolution of Mineralocorticoid Receptors (MR) obliges us to take an instructive as well as fascinating leap back in time. This journey teaches us that the relationship between MRs and what we consider their natural ligand, aldosterone, has not always been an exclusive one. MRs operated for a very long time in the oceans and, in any case, in an aquatic environment, stimulated by ligands other than aldosterone, and exercising functions that we still do not know well but which were certainly different from those they currently perform in terrestrial vertebrates, where they maintain normal sodium and body fluids. The history of MRs was initially intertwined with that of female sexual hormones, in particular with progesterone, which was one of the first agonists for MRs, before becoming, with the transition to the terrestrial environment, an important antagonist. This initial intertwining could be the cause of the sexual dimorphism that can be glimpsed when these receptors are overstimulated, as emerges from many experimental studies and some clinical data and/or when antagonistic drugs for these receptors are studied. This must be taken into account in the planning of clinical studies, especially randomized controlled trials, in which the presence of the two sexes must always be well balanced and in the interpretation of the results which must always be performed being well aware of the gender of participants. This does not always happen, however.

Anaplastic Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma is a very rare tumor of the Central Nervous System (CNS). BRAFV600E mutation is a common mutation in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. We present a 52-year-old male patient who underwent total resection due to a temporal lobe mass. The primary tumor in the temporal lobe was given postoperative radiotherapy. During follow-up, genetically and histologically proven metastasis was detected in the paraspinal region. The adjuvant RT was given to metastasis after surgery. The patient, who used the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib after recurrence, is being monitored in remission.

Alginate, a naturally occurring biopolymer extracted from brown algae, presents a promising avenue for developing sustainable and efficient membranes for wastewater treatment. This review comprehensively examines recent advancements in the fabrication, modification, and application of alginate-based membranes for effective water purification. The paper delves into various fabrication techniques, including casting, electrospinning, and 3D printing, which influence the structural and functional properties of the resulting alginate membranes. To enhance performance, strategies such as crosslinking, incorporation of porogens, and surface functionalization are employed. These modifications optimize crucial properties like mechanical strength, porosity, selectivity, and antifouling resistance. Furthermore, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has emerged as a valuable tool for systematically optimizing fabrication parameters, enabling researchers to identify optimal conditions for achieving desired membrane characteristics. The integration of alginate membranes with biological treatment processes, such as phycoremediation (utilizing microalgae) and mycoremediation (employing fungi), offers a synergistic approach to enhance wastewater treatment efficiency. By immobilizing these microorganisms within the alginate matrix, their bioremediation capabilities are amplified, leading to improved pollutant degradation and nutrient removal. In conclusion, alginate-based membranes demonstrate significant potential as a sustainable and effective technology for wastewater treatment. Continued research and development, focusing on optimizing fabrication processes and exploring innovative integration strategies with biological systems, will further advance the application of alginate membranes in addressing the pressing global challenge of water pollution.

Kalanchoe pinnata is a widely recognized medicinal plant known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores its in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, highlighting its potential for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The research innovatively assesses its bioactive components using DPPH radical scavenging, nitric oxide inhibition assays, and phenolic content analysis. Results demonstrated significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values comparable to ascorbic acid, along with notable anti-inflammatory effects via nitric oxide inhibition. These findings emphasize Kalanchoe pinnata’s potential as a source for developing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Further investigation into bioactive compound isolation and mechanistic pathways is recommended to clarify its pharmacological efficacy.

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of preoperative lower extremity venography in patients with varicose veins.Methods: From February 2019 to July 2023, 498 patients (583 diseased lower limbs) with lower limb varicose veins as the first symptom were selected and admitted to the Seventh People’s Hospital of Chongqing. Paracentesis of the deep veins of the lower extremities was performed in all affected limbs to observe the morphology of the deep veins from the ankle to the pelvis, the patency of the deep veins, and the reflux of contrast medium when the patients performed the Valsalva manoeuvre. The aetiology of varicose veins was analysed according to the imaging manifestations and individualised treatment plans were formulated according to the different aetiologies.Results: The imaging success rate of 583 diseased lower limbs was 100%, of which 285 (48.9%) were primary lower limb deep vein valve insufficiency, 186 (32%) were simple superficial varicose veins, 63 (10. 8%) were iliac vein compression syndromes, 41 (5%) were post-thrombotic syndromes of the deep veins of the lower limbs and the others (primary deep vein avascularity of the lower limbs, bifemoral venous malformations, congenital varicose vein osteohypertrophy syndrome, tumour compression, etc.) 8 articles (1.37%).Conclusion: The advantages of lower extremity deep vein bypass angiography are simple operation, low trauma, and high specificity, which can help to diagnose the aetiology of lower extremity varicose veins and guide the clinical treatment.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant public health issue with a rising prevalence globally. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a leading cause of CKD, necessitates improved biomarkers for early detection and effective management. Traditional markers such as serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and albuminuria have notable limitations in sensitivity and specificity, especially for early detection. Fetuin-A, specifically its post-translationally modified form (PTM-Fetuin-A), has emerged as a potential novel biomarker for DKD. This study evaluates PTM-Fetuin-A in a cohort of Bulgarian patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, assessing its correlation with traditional markers such as albuminuria and eGFR. Significant correlations were observed between PTM-Fetuin-A and these indicators (e.g., Pearson’s r = 0.447, p = 0.025 for albuminuria), highlighting its ability to detect early kidney function decline. Furthermore, PTM-Fetuin-A demonstrated potential as a non-invasive tool for identifying normoalbuminuric DKD, addressing gaps left by conventional biomarkers. By offering additional prognostic value, PTM-Fetuin-A could improve the early diagnosis and clinical management of diabetic patients, reducing the burden of CKD.

Double-Positive Patients (DPPs), characterized by the simultaneous presence of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) and anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies, represent a rare subset in systemic vasculitis. We present two cases of DPPs with renal involvement and review the existing literature to elucidate the clinical characteristics, histopathological findings, management strategies, and prognostic outcomes associated with this condition. Both cases exhibited renal involvement with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, requiring renal replacement therapy. Renal biopsies confirmed crescentic glomerulonephritis with features of both anti-GBM disease and ANCA-associated vasculitis. Management included high-dose glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, and consideration of plasma exchanges. Double-positive ANCA and anti-GBM vasculitis pose challenges in management and prognosis. Further research is essential to improve therapeutic strategies for this rare and heterogeneous condition.

The spin of a physical object is a vector which is held by the self-rotation axis of the object. Spin measures the intensity of the self-rotation of the object around its axis. The sudden and forceful, but direct contact of two bodies is known as collision. The collision is supposed to be perfectly elastic. Newton stated the law of universal attraction. The formula of Biot & Savart is unavoidable if we are interested by electromagnetism; this formula led to the famous equations of Maxwell. Curiously, this formula includes a vector product which may seem quite unusual. An electric current, which flows in an electric wire, creates, by induction, another current of small particles, all around the wire. The colors are intensities of reflections, due to the self-rotation of atoms of the colored objects. The stars novas are due to sudden appearance of storms of space winds, which strike the stars, and which make them self-rotate faster and then it became brighter.

This study investigates the impact of socio-political disruptions on air quality in Khartoum, Sudan, focusing on key pollutants: Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂). Using Sentinel-5P satellite data (2020–2024) processed in Google Earth Engine (GEE), spatial and temporal variations in pollutant levels were analyzed before and after a significant war event in April 2023. The methodology included data acquisition, preprocessing (e.g., cloud masking, spatial filtering), monthly averages computation, visualization, and statistical analysis using Google Earth Engine (GEE), ArcGIS Pro, and Microsoft Excel. Results showed a marked post-war increase in AOD levels, attributed to infrastructure destruction, fires, and diminished industrial oversight, alongside spatially consistent pollution patterns in some regions. CO concentrations exhibited an overall decline due to reduced industrial activities and transportation, though localized anomalies were linked to concentrated emissions. Similarly, NO₂ levels dropped significantly, reflecting reduced vehicular and industrial activities, while sporadic increases suggested localized emissions like generator use. SO₂ demonstrated mixed trends, with reduced mean levels but increased variability, indicating sporadic high-emission events linked to emergency fuel use or conflict-related disruptions. This study uniquely combines high-resolution satellite data with advanced spatial and temporal analysis techniques to reveal the nuanced and multi-pollutant impact of socio-political conflicts on air quality in Khartoum, providing novel insights into the environmental repercussions of armed conflicts. These findings highlight the profound impact of socio-political events on atmospheric pollution dynamics, underscoring the need for robust urban planning, targeted environmental monitoring, and policies to mitigate air quality deterioration and address public health concerns in conflict-prone regions. The study emphasizes the importance of satellite-based monitoring to provide critical insights into the environmental repercussions of socio-political upheavals.

This document has been translated from Spanish into English using ChatGPT. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and maintain the original meaning, some nuances or interpretations may differ from the source text. For any clarification, please refer to the original document or contact the author.This brief article addresses the concern arising from the accelerated whirlwind of changes of all kinds experienced by our social systems, some of which have a significant evolutionary impact, largely driven by advances in science and technology. Particular interest has emerged in connecting certain properties inherent to the behavior of complex systems far from equilibrium—such as social systems—under the framework of properties currently studied in Complexity Sciences. The article outlines this concern, which is, for now, merely the beginning of what could develop into a groundbreaking investigation. It references laboratory simulation work aimed at understanding the evolutionary horizons of Chile’s social system. The text includes an example of some graphs that illustrate a potential method for detecting and anticipating possible evolutionary horizons of the social system, based on the role played by certain “attractor variables” within the system. However, the research is still exploratory, and this article serves merely as a general description of the initial concern.