We report on a 19-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with a complete suprapatellar plica syndrome. She underwent arthroscopic excision of the plica. Postoperatively, there was complete resolution of the symptoms, with return to sports activity. A complete suprapatellar plica is a rare condition that separates the suprapatellar pouch from the rest of the knee. Cases of symptomatic complete suprapatellar plica should be managed with conservative measures initially. If conservative therapy fails, surgical arthroscopic excision is required.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard treatment for severe obesity, but some patients do not achieve the expected success in weight loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible predictors of weight loss after RYGB. Methods: Sixty-three patients were included. Pre- and postoperative data were collected from medical records, including comorbidities, anthropometry, energy/macronutrient intake, and physical activity level (PAL). Variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; rs6265) and lysophospholipase like 1 (LYPLAL1; rs4846567) genes were investigated. Excess weight loss (EWL) >50% was considered to be successful weight loss (SWL). Logistic regression models were used to verify predictor variables. Results: Participants’ median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 53 kg/m 2 (interquartile range, 46 to 58).At 12 and 24 months after surgery, EWL was 63% and 67%, and the failure rate was 19% and 16%, respectively.The individuals with insufficient weight loss (IWL) after 12 months had higher preoperative weight, BMI, and overweight. At 24 months, lowest frequency of individuals with SWL in the first year was found in the IWL group.No significant differences were found between the groups in dietary intake and PAL. In the logistic regression, high initial BMI was a predictor of the worst response in both periods, and high initial total weight loss was a predictor of a better response at 24 months. The polymorphism analysis did not show differences between groups in either gene. Conclusion Lower preoperative BMI and greater weight loss at 12 months were predictors of SWL after RYGB.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard treatment for severe obesity, but some patients do not achieve the expected success in weight loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible predictors of weight loss after RYGB. Methods: Sixty-three patients were included. Pre- and postoperative data were collected from medical records, including comorbidities, anthropometry, energy/macronutrient intake, and physical activity level (PAL). Variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; rs6265) and lysophospholipase like 1 (LYPLAL1; rs4846567) genes were investigated. Excess weight loss (EWL) >50% was considered to be successful weight loss (SWL). Logistic regression models were used to verify predictor variables. Results: Participants’ median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 53 kg/m 2 (interquartile range, 46 to 58).At 12 and 24 months after surgery, EWL was 63% and 67%, and the failure rate was 19% and 16%, respectively.The individuals with insufficient weight loss (IWL) after 12 months had higher preoperative weight, BMI, and overweight. At 24 months, lowest frequency of individuals with SWL in the first year was found in the IWL group.No significant differences were found between the groups in dietary intake and PAL. In the logistic regression, high initial BMI was a predictor of the worst response in both periods, and high initial total weight loss was a predictor of a better response at 24 months. The polymorphism analysis did not show differences between groups in either gene. Conclusion Lower preoperative BMI and greater weight loss at 12 months were predictors of SWL after RYGB.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard treatment for severe obesity, but some patients do not achieve the expected success in weight loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible predictors of weight loss after RYGB. Methods: Sixty-three patients were included. Pre- and postoperative data were collected from medical records, including comorbidities, anthropometry, energy/macronutrient intake, and physical activity level (PAL). Variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; rs6265) and lysophospholipase like 1 (LYPLAL1; rs4846567) genes were investigated. Excess weight loss (EWL) >50% was considered to be successful weight loss (SWL). Logistic regression models were used to verify predictor variables. Results: Participants’ median preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 53 kg/m 2 (interquartile range, 46 to 58).At 12 and 24 months after surgery, EWL was 63% and 67%, and the failure rate was 19% and 16%, respectively.The individuals with insufficient weight loss (IWL) after 12 months had higher preoperative weight, BMI, and overweight. At 24 months, lowest frequency of individuals with SWL in the first year was found in the IWL group.No significant differences were found between the groups in dietary intake and PAL. In the logistic regression, high initial BMI was a predictor of the worst response in both periods, and high initial total weight loss was a predictor of a better response at 24 months. The polymorphism analysis did not show differences between groups in either gene. Conclusion Lower preoperative BMI and greater weight loss at 12 months were predictors of SWL after RYGB.

Purpose: Recent research has highlighted the mechanotransducer PIEZO2 as a crucial factor in lower urinary tract function, demonstrating associations with bladder compliance (BC), bladder wall thickening, and elevated bladder pressure. We explored the hypothesis that PIEZO2 expression may be associated with lower urinary tract dysfunction in men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: The study included a consecutive series of patients undergoing open prostatectomy for BPH at our hospital between September 2014 and January 2016. All participants underwent comprehensive preoperative evaluations, including urodynamic assessments. During prostatectomy, a full-thickness fragment of the bladder wall was obtained for subsequent PIEZO2 gene expression analysis. Cadaveric organ donors served as the control group. Results: PIEZO2 expression was downregulated in the detrusor muscle of men with BPH compared to the control group. Among patients with BPH, those experiencing urinary retention and requiring an indwelling catheter exhibited significantly lower PIEZO2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression than patients capable of spontaneous voiding. PIEZO2 mRNA expression was similar in men with and without detrusor overactivity. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between PIEZO2 mRNA expression levels and BC. Conclusions Our findings indicate that PIEZO2 is downregulated in the detrusor muscle of men with BPH, particularly in those experiencing urinary retention and those with reduced BC. These results suggest a potential role for PIEZO2 in BOOinduced bladder dysfunction. Further research is required to clarify the role of PIEZO mechanotransducers in the bladder and to explore their therapeutic implications.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) thrombus has a higher incidence among patients with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when compared to other types of acute myocardial infarction and is associated with worse prognosis. The management of LV thrombus diagnosis remains challenging. Contrast echocardiography (transthoracic echocardiography, TTE) has shown potential in improving the accuracy for its diagnosis, thereby influencing treatment strategies concerning antithrombotic/anticoagulation therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of contrast TTE as a routine screening method for detecting LV thrombus in the acute phase of anterior STEMI. Methods: A prospective, single center, randomized controlled trial was conducted among patients with anterior STEMI. The study group underwent contrast TTE, while the control group received a conventional approach. Demographical, clinical, and diagnostic data were collected. Thrombus detection rates were compared between groups. Results: A total of 68 patients were included (32 in the study group and 36 in the control group). No substantial baseline differences were observed between groups. Thrombus detection rate was 25.0% in the study group and 13.9% in the control group, however these results did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.24). The prevalence of anterior/ apical aneurysm was higher in the study group (46.9% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.03). Conclusions Conventional TTE may be adequate for diagnosing LV thrombus in the acute phase of anterior STEMI; however, further larger-scale and multicenter studies are necessary to obtain more robust and conclusive results. Ultrasound contrast may play a significant role in the detection of anterior/apical aneurysms, which are known risk factors for the subsequent development of thrombus.

Prostate cancer shows significant racial disparity, with men of African ancestry disproportionately impacted. While prostate cancer health disparity studies focus on elucidating the contributing socioeconomic, lifestyle, environmental, biological and underlying genetic factors, genome sequencing is helping to reduce the burden through disease stratification and treatment. Sub-Saharan Africa has, till now, been excluded from these benefits. The new Prostate Cancer Precision Health Africa1K Health Equity Research Outcomes and Improvement Consortium has been tasked with addressing this gap. Initiating efforts in Southern Africa, with the highest globally recorded regional mortality rates, in this review we discuss our earliest observations, with the objective to share knowledge, encourage further inclusivity across Sub-Saharan Africa, while considering challenges and benefits. Most notably, and in contrast to regions of current scientific efforts, African nations not only represent extreme disparities in rural-urban transition, but our early data also suggests that this transition has direct impact on both genetic and nongenetic health determinants, with further translation into tumour genome disparities. Ultimately, we propose from this first-of-its-kind resource, that rural communities provide an unmet opportunity to control for cultural practices, regional movement, genetic ancestry, and environmental exposures to enhance African inclusion in prostate cancer health disparity studies.

Purpose: The advent of proteomics provides new opportunities to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility. The selection of relevant targets based on a single analysis is not always feasible, due to the growing number of proteomic studies with conflicting results. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review investigations comparing the sperm proteome of normozoospermic and infertile men to define a panel of proteins with the potential to be used to evaluate sperm quality. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases following the PRISMA guidelines. To identify proteins systematically reported, first the studies were divided by condition into four groups (asthenozoospermia, low motility, unexplained infertility, and infertility related to risk factors) and then, all studies were analysed simultaneously (poor sperm quality). To gain molecular insights regarding identified proteins, additional searches were performed within the Human Protein Atlas, Mouse Genome Informatics, UniProt, and PubMed databases. Results: Thirty-two studies were included and divided into 4 sub-analysis groups. A total of 2752 proteins were collected, of which 38, 1, 3 and 2 were indicated as potential markers for asthenozoospermia, low motility, unexplained infertility and infertility related to risk factors, respectively, and 58 for poor sperm quality. Among the identified proteins, ACR, ACRBP, ACRV1, ACTL9, AKAP4, ATG3, CCT2, CFAP276, CFAP52, FAM209A, GGH, HPRT1, LYZL4, PRDX6, PRSS37, REEP6, ROPN1B, SPACA3, SOD1, SPEM1, SPESP1, SPINK2, TEKT5, and ZPBP were highlighted due to their roles in male reproductive tissues, association with infertility phenotypes or participation in specific biological functions in spermatozoa. Conclusions Sperm proteomics allows the identification of protein markers with the potential to overcome limitations in male infertility diagnosis and to understand changes in sperm function at the molecular level. This study provides a reliable list of systematically reported proteins that could be potential targets for further basic and clinical studies.

Cinnamon, a member of the Lauraceae family, has been widely used as a spice and traditional herbal medicine for centuries and has shown beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, its effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unproven. The bioactive compounds within cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamate, can mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, gut dysbiosis, and dyslipidemia, which are common complications in patients with CKD. In this narrative review, we assess the mechanisms by which cinnamon may alleviate complications observed in CKD and the possible role of this spice as an additional nutritional strategy for this patient group.

Neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases are increasingly affecting individuals' quality of life, thus increasing their cost to social and health systems. These diseases have overlapping mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and excitotoxicity. Currently, there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, and the available therapies have adverse effects and low efficacy. For neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, the current therapies are not adequate to one-third of the patients, the so-called treatment-resistant patients. So, searching for new treatments is fundamental. Medicinal plants appear as a strong alternative and complement towards new treatment protocols, as they have been used for health purposes for thousands of years. Thus, the main goal of this review is to revisit the neuroprotective potential of some of the most predominant medicinal plants (and one fungus) used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), focusing on their proven mechanisms of action and their chemical compositions, to give clues on how they can be useful against neurodegeneration progression.