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Xanthohumol (XN), a bioactive plant flavonoid, is an antioxidant, and as such, it exhibits numerous beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidative effects. The main dietary source of XN is beer, where it is introduced through hops. Although the concentration of XN in beer is low, the large quantities of hop-related post-production waste present an opportunity to extract XN residues for technological or pharmaceutical purposes. The presented study focuses on the role of XN in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, analyzing its effect at a molecular level and including its signal transduction and metabolism. The paper brings up XN's mechanism of action, potential effects, and experimental and clinical studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Additionally, challenges and future research directions on XN, including its bioavailability, safety, and tolerance, have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The early identification of patients at risk of peri-procedural complications and poor prognosis is particularly important. We conducted our study to determine whether serum orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentration is associated with nutritional status and prognosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Materials and Methods: A cohort study with a 3-month follow-up was conducted with 84 consecutive inpatients who underwent elective surgery in one center between 2016 and 2019 for primary CRC. The clinical characteristics and nutritional status of all patients were assessed. In long-term follow-ups (median; IQR: 1322; 930–1788 days; average 3.6 years), the patients' survival status was also checked during a telephone consultation. Results: Before CRC surgery, patients with serum NPY concentrations equal to or higher than the median value (661.70 pg/mL) had higher scores in their Mini Nutritional Assessment, Barthel, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) questionnaires, greater handgrip strength, a lower score in the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, and almost a three-times lower risk of perioperative complications, as well as higher Barthel and IADL scores and larger calf circumference at the 3-month follow-up visit in comparison to individuals with lower serum NPY concentrations. A higher serum NPY concentration was predictive of a low Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 score at the 3-month visit, and this was also found to have significantly influenced the patients' survival during the 1200 days after CRC surgery. Conclusions: A higher preoperative serum NPY concentration may be related to lower nutritional risk, more favorable patient nutritional and functional status, and better survival, but further studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are widely used in therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and obesity. There are also increasing amounts of data concerning the effectiveness of these drugs in the treatment of addictive disorders. This pilot study aimed to assess changes in alcohol-drinking and cigarette-smoking behaviours after the introduction of GLP-1R agonist therapy in patients with DM2. Methods: Forty-eight (48) patients with obesity and DM2 being treated with GLP-1R agonists completed a questionnaire designed by researchers, the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and the Hunger-Satiety Scale. The severity of alcohol craving and nicotine dependence was compared between one month prior and the week before the evaluation. Results: Among the 48 patients enrolled on the study, 25 (52%) were treated with liraglutide, 11 (23%) with semaglutide and 12 (25%) with dulaglutide. It was found that changes in PACS total score were statistically significant only in patients treated with semaglutide and that these changes were affected by BMI, marital status, and whether the patient stated that they drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes. Smokers treated with semaglutide had lower Fagerstrom total scores than patients treated with liraglutide. Conclusion: Semaglutide exerts a reducing effect on alcohol and nicotine craving that was not seen for liraglutide or dulaglutide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction. Migraine is a common primary headache disorder, which affects mainly young females, usually those with some specific personality traits including neuroticism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Among many factors that may trigger headache are to be found those associated with eating patterns and behaviours. Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders of abnormal eating or weight-control behaviours. According to the most up-to-date classification, six main types are identified, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Similar to migraine, eating disorders are mainly diagnosed in young adults and, moreover, personality pattern, in at least some of the eating disorders, is also suggested to be consistent. Material and methods. This systematic review aimed to summarise the available literature related to this topic. We performed an electronic article search through the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases and included 16 articles into analysis in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results. Most of the studies revealed the presence of a putative correlation between migraine and eating disorders, and these encourage further investigations. Moreover, apart from the clinical aspect, also the pathogenesis underlying both disorders is suggested to be similar. More frequent co-occurrence of other psychiatric disorders in migraineurs, such as depression and anxiety, was reported and should be considered in future research. Furthermore, adverse interactions between pharmacotherapy and symptoms of comorbid conditions underline the importance of this problem. Conclusions. A correlation between migraine and eating disorders appears highly probable. However, further investigations are required focusing on diverse aspects such as clinical, psychological, and pathogenic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare, incurable neurodegenerative disorder where fast and non-invasive diagnosis targeting patients' condition plays a crucial role. In modern medicine, various scientific areas are being combined, such as computing, medicine and biomedical engineering. This survey is focused on the most recent image processing methods applied not only for the purpose of diagnosing HD but also for the assessment of its progression severity, in order to contribute to the effort to prolong life of and to improve its quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The integration of magnetic resonance tomography into clinical linear accelerators provides high‐contrast, real‐time imaging during treatment and facilitates online‐adaptive workflows in radiation therapy treatments. The associated magnetic field also bends the trajectories of charged particles via the Lorentz force, which may alter the dose distribution in a patient or a phantom and affects the dose response of dosimetry detectors. Purpose: To perform an experimental and Monte Carlo‐based determination of correction factors kB,Q$k_{B,Q}$, which correct the response of ion chambers in the presence of external magnetic fields in high‐energy photon fields. Methods: The response variation of two different types of ion chambers (Sun Nuclear SNC125c and SNC600c) in strong external magnetic fields was investigated experimentally and by Monte Carlo simulations. The experimental data were acquired at the German National Metrology Institute, PTB, using a clinical linear accelerator with a nominal photon energy of 6 MV and an external electromagnet capable of generating magnetic flux densities of up to 1.5 T in opposite directions. The Monte Carlo simulation geometries corresponded to the experimental setup and additionally to the reference conditions of IAEA TRS‐398. For the latter, the Monte Carlo simulations were performed with two different photon spectra: the 6 MV spectrum of the linear accelerator used for the experimental data acquisition and a 7 MV spectrum of a commercial MRI‐linear accelerator. In each simulation geometry, three different orientations of the external magnetic field, the beam direction and the chamber orientation were investigated. Results: Good agreement was achieved between Monte Carlo simulations and measurements with the SNC125c and SNC600c ionization chambers, with a mean deviation of 0.3% and 0.6%, respectively. The magnitude of the correction factor kB,Q$k_{B,Q}$ strongly depends on the chamber volume and on the orientation of the chamber axis relative to the external magnetic field and the beam directions. It is greater for the SNC600c chamber with a volume of 0.6 cm3 than for the SNC125c chamber with a volume of 0.1 cm3. When the magnetic field direction and the chamber axis coincide, and they are perpendicular to the beam direction, the ion chambers exhibit a calculated overresponse of less than 0.7(6)% (SNC600c) and 0.3(4)% (SNC125c) at 1.5 T and less than 0.3(0)% (SNC600c) and 0.1(3)% (SNC125c) for 0.35 T for nominal beam energies of 6 MV and 7 MV. This chamber orientation should be preferred, as kB,Q$k_{B,Q}$ may increase significantly in other chamber orientations. Due to the special geometry of the guard ring, no dead‐volume effects have been observed in any orientation studied. The results show an intra‐type variation of 0.17% and 0.07% standard uncertainty (k=1) for the SNC125c and SNC600c, respectively. Conclusion: Magnetic field correction factors kB,Q$k_{B,Q}$ for two different ion chambers and for typical clinical photon beam qualities were presented and compared with the few data existing in the literature. The correction factors may be applied in clinical reference dosimetry for existing MRI‐linear accelerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]