Behavioral and Electrophysiological Assessment of Central Auditory Processing in Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease.

Introduction: Sickle cell anemia has a genetic origin characterized by an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. The nervous system may be subject to vaso-occlusion and, consequently, affect the proper functioning of the central portion of hearing.

Objective: To assess central auditory skills and analyze short- and long-latency auditory evoked potentials in children with sickle cell disease.

Chalcogen Bond-Driven Alkylations: Selenoxide-Pillar[5]arene as a Recyclable Catalyst for Displacement Reactions in Water.

A novel strategy to catalyze alkylation reactions through chalcogen bond interaction using a supramolecular structure is presented herein. Utilizing just 1.0 mol % of selenoxide-pillar[5]arene (P[5]SeO) as the catalyst we achieved efficient catalysis in the cyanation of benzyl bromide in water.

Comprendre l'adoption et la continuation de l'utilisation du diaphragme Caya au Bénin : une étude à méthodes mixtes.

RésuméLe diaphragme Caya, de taille unique, est une méthode de contraception efficace dans multiples contextes. Pourtant, la recherche sur son acceptabilité, utilisation, et continuation en Afrique de l'Ouest francophone reste limitée. Ce projet pilote a introduit Caya à Cotonou et Bohicon, Bénin pour mieux comprendre comment Caya est utilisé.

Telluride-Based Pillar[5]arene: A Recyclable Catalyst for Alkylation Reactions in Aqueous Solution.

The syntheses of previously unknown sulfide- and telluride-pillar[]arenes are reported here. These macrocycles, among others, were tested as catalysts for alkylation reactions in aqueous solutions. Telluride-pillar[5]arene () showed the best performance, emulating the behavior of the methyltransferase enzyme cofactor -adenosyl-l-methionine.

QR-code enabled additive manufactured multiplex-immunosensor to detect DENV serotypes in dengue patient validate with indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT).

The current work shows the advancement of an additive manufactured multiplex immunosensor for the detection of dengue serotypes 1&2 in dengue patients on a single device with the LOD of 12.5 ng/ml. In this work, we created a QR-Code enabled additive manufactured case comprised of a paper-based electrode coated with ZnO NPs, which helps to enhance the detection signal and make it more selective, both serotype antibodies (DENV1-Ab & DENV2-Ab) were employed against DENV serotypes (DENV1-Ag & DENV2-Ag.

NEWS2, S/F-ratio and ROX-index at emergency department for the prediction of adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients: An external validation study.

Background: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the early and accurate identification of patients at risk of deterioration was crucial in overcrowded and resource-limited emergency departments. This study conducts an external validation for the evaluation of the performance of the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), the S/F ratio, and the ROX index at ED admission in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients from Colombia, South America, assessing the net clinical benefit with decision curve analysis.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 6907 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary care ED in Colombia.

Impact of COVID-19 policies on pedestrian traffic and walking patterns.

The spread of COVID-19 pandemic provoked new policies and restrictions, which had an unprecedented impact on urban mobility and traffic on local and global scales. While changes in motorized traffic were investigated and monitored throughout the recent pandemic crisis in many cities around the world, not much was done on the changes in pedestrian street-traffic and walking patterns during this time. This study aims to identify, quantify, and analyze the changes in pedestrian traffic and walking patterns induced by COVID-19 policies.

Bovine neutrophils kill the sexually-transmitted parasite Tritrichomonas foetus using trogocytosis.

The protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is the causative organism of bovine trichomonosis (also referred to as trichomoniasis), a sexually-transmitted infection that reduces fertility in cattle. Efforts to control trichomonosis on cattle farms are hindered by the discouragement of antibiotic use in agriculture, and the incomplete, short-lived protection conferred by the current vaccines.

A novel method of estimating atmospheric boundary layer height using a 205 MHz VHF radar.

The present study proposes a novel methodology for the estimation of atmospheric boundary layer height (ABLH) using data from a 205 MHz VHF (very high frequency) radar installed at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research, Cochin University of Science and Technology, India. Using a year-long dedicated experimental campaign involving collocated, concurrent radar and radiosonde operations in 2021, clear-sky days were identified for the analysis in order to avoid any further ambiguity in the results. The reference ABLH is derived from the mixing ratio and its gradient profiles from the radiosonde data.

An immune-protein score combining TRAIL, IP-10 and CRP for predicting severe COVID-19 disease.

COVID-19 patients are oftentimes over- or under-treated due to a deficit in predictive management tools. This study reports derivation of an algorithm that integrates the host levels of TRAIL, IP-10, and CRP into a single numeric score that is an early indicator of severe outcome for COVID-19 patients and can identify patients at-risk to deteriorate. 394 COVID-19 patients were eligible; 29% meeting a severe outcome (intensive care unit admission/non-invasive or invasive ventilation/death).

Evaluating Counseling for Choice in Malawi: A Client-Centered Approach to Contraceptive Counseling.

Introduction: High-quality contraceptive counseling is critical for supporting full, free, and informed contraceptive decision-making. However, the quality of family planning counseling remains poor globally and is too often not tailored to the individual client. The Counseling for Choice (C4C) approach comprises provider tools and training to structure counseling to center clients' self-identified priorities and to provide relevant information and anticipatory side effects counseling.

Selenonium Salt as a Catalyst for Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions in Water: Synthesis of Thiocyanites and Selenocyanates.

Organothiocyanates and selenocyanates are valuable compounds, both in terms of functional group interconversion and due to their biological activities. In this contribution, we report the synthesis of a series of these important substances in a mixture of water and dimethyl carbonate (20/1 proportion) using potassium thio- or selenocyanates salts and organic bromides. The key to the effectiveness of the reaction is a chalcogen bond interaction between a selenonium salt catalyst and the organic substrate.

Clinical and laboratory differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify clinical and complete blood count differences between pediatric hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease infected or not by SARS-CoV-2 and compare the complete blood count of patients with sickle cell disease infected by SARS-CoV-2 before hospitalization and on admission.

Methods: This study was a single-center prospective cohort. Data were collected from medical records of pediatric inpatients with sickle cell disease under 18 years old infected or not with SARS-CoV-2 from the first visit to the hospital until discharge and from the last medical appointment.

Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) for the early prognosis of the risk for severe respiratory failure and death in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Objectives: Elevated concentrations of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) predict progression to severe respiratory failure (SRF) or death among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and guide early anakinra treatment. As suPAR testing may not be routinely available in every health-care setting, alternative biomarkers are needed. We investigated the performance of C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) for predicting SRF or death in COVID-19.

[How do cardiologists assess their patients' sexual activity?].

Background: Patients with coronary heart disease and their families often face numerous changes in their lives. Recommendations on sexual activity (SA) should be included in the management of these patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of knowledge and professional attitude regarding the patient's SA.

The h-ANN Model: Comprehensive Colonoscopy Concept Compilation Using Combined Contextual Embeddings.

Colonoscopy is a screening and diagnostic procedure for detection of colorectal carcinomas with specific quality metrics that monitor and improve adenoma detection rates. These quality metrics are stored in disparate documents i.e.

TAX-Corpus: Taxonomy based Annotations for Colonoscopy Evaluation.

Colonoscopy plays a critical role in screening of colorectal carcinomas (CC). Unfortunately, the data related to this procedure are stored in disparate documents, colonoscopy, pathology, and radiology reports respectively. The lack of integrated standardized documentation is impeding accurate reporting of quality metrics and clinical and translational research.

A New Contraceptive Diaphragm in Niamey, Niger: A Mixed Methods Study on Acceptability, Use, and Programmatic Considerations.

Introduction: Diaphragms have never been widely available in West Africa, a region with very low contraceptive use due in part to health system constraints and low demand for other modern methods of contraception. Research has demonstrated the single-size Caya contoured diaphragm to be a safe and effective barrier method of nonhormonal, self-care contraception, offering features that improve upon the design of traditional diaphragms. No studies have measured continuation of Caya.

In Vitro Rheology Predicts Improved Spreadability of Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion Versus Trifarotene 0.005% Cream.

Background: Intrinsic properties of vehicles used to deliver topical therapies can profoundly impact drug penetration, efficacy, patient acceptance, and treatment adherence. Therefore, advancements in vehicle technology demand sophisticated, quantitative approaches to describe and differentiate topical formulations. The objective of these studies was to quantitatively evaluate spreadability of two topical formulations for the treatment of acne via in vitro rheological measurement (how a substance’s flow characteristics change under applied stress or force) and spreadability on living skin.

Detection of persistent SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in oral mucosal fluid and upper respiratory tract specimens following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19. Prior studies have found detectable SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in oral mucosal specimens of participants with history of COVID-19. To assess the development of oral SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among people who received either the Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination series, we developed a novel SARS-CoV-2 IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify the concentrations of oral and nasal mucosal SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels.

SARS-CoV-2 Specific IgG Antibodies Persist Over a 12-Month Period in Oral Mucosal Fluid Collected From Previously Infected Individuals.

Background: Developing an understanding of the antibody response, seroprevalence, and seroconversion from natural infection and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 will give way to a critical epidemiological tool to predict reinfection rates, identify vulnerable communities, and manage future viral outbreaks. To monitor the antibody response on a larger scale, we need an inexpensive, less invasive, and high throughput method.

Methods: Here we investigate the use of oral mucosal fluids from individuals recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection to monitor antibody response and persistence over a 12-month period.

Leveraging the Client-Provider Interaction to Address Contraceptive Discontinuation: A Scoping Review of the Evidence That Links Them.

Despite considerable investment and effort, unmet need for contraception remains an obstacle to improved family planning outcomes. One influencing factor is the frequency of contraceptive discontinuation among users who desire to prevent pregnancy, often due to method-related concerns and side effects. Contraceptive users have the right to be supported during counseling to voluntarily choose methods that align with their individual needs and preferences.

Spt4 facilitates the movement of RNA polymerase II through the +2 nucleosomal barrier.

Spt4 is a transcription elongation factor with homologs in organisms with nucleosomes. Structural and in vitro studies implicate Spt4 in transcription through nucleosomes, and yet the in vivo function of Spt4 is unclear. Here, we assess the precise position of Spt4 during transcription and the consequences of the loss of Spt4 on RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) dynamics and nucleosome positioning in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.