Amidst the tangled web of neurons, antioxidants stand as silent sentinels, shielding the delicate threads from the raging storm of oxidative stress in the realm of neurological affliction. Herein, we showcased an innovative design strategy to develop a novel powerful antioxidant small molecule (AOX), designed with the synergistic integration of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), gallic acid, and coupled with the metal-chelating capabilities of 8-hydroxy quinoline functional moieties that exhibit multifunctional activity in combating oxidative stress via activating the anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activity, showcasing the potential for a transformative impact in neuroprotection from oxidative insults. Our work addresses oxidative stress in neuronal systems by providing a thorough examination of oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide in PC12 cell line-derived neurons by shedding light on the antioxidative mechanisms orchestrated by our novel small molecule. Particularly our designed molecule (AOX) provides neuroprotection by mitigating mitochondrial impairment and activating the Nrf2/ARE (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element) pathway and it also demonstrates remarkable resilience against neuroinflammation, as evidenced by minimal alterations in neuroinflammatory markers such as GFAP, IBA1, and S100β in a transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (tBCCAO) ischemic stroke model.

Background: This study investigates whether intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) with inverse electrode placement (IEP) or conventional electrode placement (CEP) more effectively modulates pain. The current study’s aim was to compare the effects of IMES using IEP and CEP, and sham-IMES on the pressure pain threshold (PPT), EMG activity, upper trapezius (UT) muscle length and pain severity among adults with UT myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Methods: Thirty-six male adults with UT-MTrPs were allocated into three groups. IEP, CEP and sham groups were respectively treated with a single IMES session using IEP, CEP, and sham-IMES. Pain intensity, PPT, EMG activity (root mean square, RMS) and UT muscle length were measured on day one before the treatment, day one post treatment and at a day three follow-up to determine the immediate and short-term effectiveness of IMES. Results: IMES using both IEP and CEP methods produced significant higher changes in UT-PPT (median, interquartile-interval, IEP group: 3.25, 2.56–3.50 and CEP group: 2.75, 1.75–3.00, vs. sham group: 1.07, 0.89–1.71 kg/cm 2 ), RMS (IEP: 0.31, 0.26–0.35 and CEP: 0.36, 0.23–0.38, vs. sham: 0.21, 0.16–0.25 mV), and UT muscle length (IEP: 9.50, 8–12.75 and CEP: 8, 7–10, vs. 1.5. 1–2.75 degrees) and UT-pain severity (IEP: 3.00, 2.25–4 and CEP: 3, 3–3, vs. sham: 2, 2–2.75 points on VAS) compared to the score change in sham-IMES at day three follow up. Conclusions Pain modulation can be effectively achieved using IMES regardless of electrode placement method, with different electrode configurations.

Purpose: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated assisted reproductive technology (ART) success in infertile men with clinical varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocele repair (VR) before the ART procedure as compared to those who did not. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted using a specific query string to identify studies examining the impact of VR on ART outcomes, including fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live-birth rate, until October 2023. Outcomes were analyzed based on the type of ART. Studies on VR in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and those who underwent ART only due to female factor infertility were excluded from the study. Results: Out of 1,554 articles reviewed, only 9 met the inclusion criteria for the study. All the included articles were observational studies. The variability in study quality in the included literature resulted in a moderate overall risk of bias. Data analysis showed that for intrauterine insemination, there was no difference in the clinical pregnancy rate (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42, 2.45; p=0.97). However, for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), men with VR showed a significant improvement in fertilization rate (mean difference 10.9, 95% CI: 5.94, 15.89; p<0.01), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.78; p=0.01) and live-birth rate (OR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.97; p<0.01), compared to men who did not undergo VR. Conclusions The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VR has a positive impact on pregnancy and live birth rates after ICSI. However, biases like small sample sizes and heterogeneous populations highlight the need for larger, well-designed prospective studies to validate these findings.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis observed in patients with presumed low- and intermediate-risk endometrial cancer (EC) and change in stage and adjuvant therapy resulting from SLN analysis. Secondary objectives include assessing the rates of detection of SLN using indocyanine green (ICG) dye and complication rates. Methods: Between March 2017 and December 2023, 210 patients were included in the study. A total of 412 SLNs were detected in 210 patients using intracervical ICG dye injections. Results: The pathologically confirmed detection rate was >95%. A total of 25 patients (11.9%) exhibited positive sentinel metastasis detected through pathological and immunohistochemical analysis, with in five (2.4%), micro-metastasis in six (2.9%), and macro-metastasis in 14 patients (6.7%). SLN metastasis with micro- and macro-metastases changed to stage III; therefore, adjuvant therapy was administered in the form of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Of the 210 patients, 186 (88.5%) remained at low and intermediate risk after the final histopathological analysis. The other 24 patients exhibited SLN metastasis, high-grade EC, higher-stage detection, or high risk on molecular profiling. Conclusion A change in stage was observed in 11.9% of patients, and adjuvant therapy was administered to 20 patients, of whom 16 received adjuvant therapy based solely on SLN involvement (in the form of micro- and macro-metastasis), thus preventing undertreatment. Overtreatment was reduced in six patients who were classified as high-grade and non-endometrioid types with SLN metastases.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oil massage as an adjunct therapy for neonatal jaundice during phototherapy. Methods: A total of 160 neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled and randomly allocated into two study groups using a computer-generated random number table.Group 1 (Intervention Group) consisted of 84 patients who received both phototherapy and massage therapy, while Group 2 (Control Group) consisted of 76 patients who received only phototherapy. The intervention group underwent massage therapy three times daily for 20 minutes over two consecutive days. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured every eight hours. Additionally, the total duration of phototherapy and the 24-hour stool and urine output frequency were recorded in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics between the two groups. However, stool frequency and urine output were significantly higher in the intervention group. The average duration of phototherapy was 19.4±4.17 hours in the intervention group compared to 28.4±6.58 hours in the control group (p<0.001). The rate of Transcutaneous bilirubin reduction was significantly higher in the intervention group during the first 24 hours. A rebound increase in bilirubin levels was observed at 40 and 48 hours in both groups after phototherapy was discontinued. Conclusion Phototherapy combined with massage significantly reduced total bilirubin levels in newborns with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, making it a valuable adjunct treatment for the rapid reduction of bilirubin in neonates.

Background: This study investigates whether intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) with inverse electrode placement (IEP) or conventional electrode placement (CEP) more effectively modulates pain. The current study’s aim was to compare the effects of IMES using IEP and CEP, and sham-IMES on the pressure pain threshold (PPT), EMG activity, upper trapezius (UT) muscle length and pain severity among adults with UT myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Methods: Thirty-six male adults with UT-MTrPs were allocated into three groups. IEP, CEP and sham groups were respectively treated with a single IMES session using IEP, CEP, and sham-IMES. Pain intensity, PPT, EMG activity (root mean square, RMS) and UT muscle length were measured on day one before the treatment, day one post treatment and at a day three follow-up to determine the immediate and short-term effectiveness of IMES. Results: IMES using both IEP and CEP methods produced significant higher changes in UT-PPT (median, interquartile-interval, IEP group: 3.25, 2.56–3.50 and CEP group: 2.75, 1.75–3.00, vs. sham group: 1.07, 0.89–1.71 kg/cm 2 ), RMS (IEP: 0.31, 0.26–0.35 and CEP: 0.36, 0.23–0.38, vs. sham: 0.21, 0.16–0.25 mV), and UT muscle length (IEP: 9.50, 8–12.75 and CEP: 8, 7–10, vs. 1.5. 1–2.75 degrees) and UT-pain severity (IEP: 3.00, 2.25–4 and CEP: 3, 3–3, vs. sham: 2, 2–2.75 points on VAS) compared to the score change in sham-IMES at day three follow up. Conclusions Pain modulation can be effectively achieved using IMES regardless of electrode placement method, with different electrode configurations.

Purpose: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated assisted reproductive technology (ART) success in infertile men with clinical varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocele repair (VR) before the ART procedure as compared to those who did not. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted using a specific query string to identify studies examining the impact of VR on ART outcomes, including fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live-birth rate, until October 2023. Outcomes were analyzed based on the type of ART. Studies on VR in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and those who underwent ART only due to female factor infertility were excluded from the study. Results: Out of 1,554 articles reviewed, only 9 met the inclusion criteria for the study. All the included articles were observational studies. The variability in study quality in the included literature resulted in a moderate overall risk of bias. Data analysis showed that for intrauterine insemination, there was no difference in the clinical pregnancy rate (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42, 2.45; p=0.97). However, for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), men with VR showed a significant improvement in fertilization rate (mean difference 10.9, 95% CI: 5.94, 15.89; p<0.01), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.78; p=0.01) and live-birth rate (OR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.97; p<0.01), compared to men who did not undergo VR. Conclusions The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that VR has a positive impact on pregnancy and live birth rates after ICSI. However, biases like small sample sizes and heterogeneous populations highlight the need for larger, well-designed prospective studies to validate these findings.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is associated with a dismal prognosis. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezo-bev) is the recommended palliative treatment, and approximately 10% of the patients may experience a complete response (CR), according to the mRECIST criteria. The treatment duration is until disease progression or unacceptable side effects occur. Long-term continuation can cause potential toxicities and a substantial financial burden, making early treatment discontinuation a viable option. This report describes durable CR after discontinuing atezo-bev treatment in three patients with HCC and PVTT.

Surgery for a symptomatic epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum (EED) typically involves a diverticulectomy with myotomy and partial fundoplication. A 54-year-old male patients presented with postprandial retrosternal pain and regurgitation. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed an 8 × 6 × 7 cm left-sided EED. We planned the EED excision using the da Vinci Xi robot (Intuitive Surgical) from an abdominal transhiatal approach.The lower esophagus was looped, followed by the mobilization of the diverticulum and division of its neck using a robotic stapler. A 7-cm long esophagogastric myotomy was performed on the right side with a Toupet fundoplication. The total operative time was 240 minutes with a blood loss of 200 mL. An oral contrast study on postoperative day 1 showed no leak, and the patient was discharged the next day on an oral soft diet. The robotic transhiatal approach to treat EED is safe and may successfully overcome the difficulties of exposure and reach encountered in conventional laparoscopic surgery.