Phage therapy: breathing new tactics into lower respiratory tract infection treatments.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) present a significant global health burden, exacerbated by the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The persistence and evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria intensifies the urgency for alternative treatments. This review explores bacteriophage (phage) therapy as an innovative solution to combat bacterial LRTIs.

Fecal, duodenal, and tumor microbiota composition of esophageal carcinoma patients, a longitudinal prospective cohort.

Background: The microbiome has been associated with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy. How this pertains to resectable esophageal carcinoma is unknown. Our aim was to identify microbial signatures in resectable esophageal carcinoma associated with response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Impact of Short-Course Palliative Radiation Therapy on Pancreatic Cancer-Related Pain: Prospective Phase 2 Nonrandomized PAINPANC Trial.

Purpose: Clinical evidence is limited regarding palliative radiation therapy for relieving pancreatic cancer-related pain. We prospectively investigated pain response after short-course palliative radiation therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe pancreatic cancer-related pain.

Methods And Materials: In this prospective phase 2 single center nonrandomized trial, 30 patients with moderate-to-severe pain (5-10, on a 0-10 scale) of pancreatic cancer refractory to pain medication, were treated with a short-course palliative radiation therapy; 24 Gy in 3 weekly fractions (2015-2018).

"iNETgrate": integrating DNA methylation and gene expression data in a single gene network.

Integrating multi-omics data in one model can increase statistical power. However, designing such a model is challenging because different omics are measured at different levels. We developed the iNETgrate package (https://bioconductor.

Electrochemical microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for cancer biomarker detection: From 2D to 3D sensing systems.

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) offer a unique possibility for a cost-effective portable and rapid detection of a wide range of small molecules and macromolecules and even microorganisms. In this line, electrochemical detection methods are key techniques for the qualitative analysis of different types of ligands. The electrochemical sensing μPADs have been devised for the rapid, accurate, and quantitative detection of oncomarkers through two-/three-dimensional (2D/3D) approaches.

Quantitative Assessment of Computed Tomography Energy Use and Cost Savings Through Overnight and Weekend Power Down in a Radiology Department.

To assess energy and cost savings when a CT scanner is powered down during overnight non-operational times compared with the CT scanner left on full power or partial shutdown mode. Temporary portable power data loggers were placed on the power supply to the CT scanner to measure the energy consumption of the CT scanner in 3 power modes over 9 weeks: system ON (computer on, gantry on), computer ON (computer on/gantry off), and system shutdown (computer off/gantry off). Energy was separated into daily average consumption during normal operating hours and consumption after hours for three different day types: weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays/Holidays.

Enhanced sewage sludge treatment via parallel anaerobic digestion at the upper mesophilic level.

Sewage mixed sludge (MS) digestion performance was ameliorated implementing the parallel digestion model for primary sludge (PS) and secondary sludge (SS) (waste activated sludge) as domestic sewage sludge fractions rich in oil and grease content at the upper mesophilic level (40 °C). Optimization of the organic loading rate (OLR) was conducted in parallel semi-continuous bench-scale digesters for PS, SS and MS. Comparatively evaluated performance and biosolid quality parameters were methane production rates, volatile solid (VS) reduction, oil and grease and nutrient content, dewaterability and electrical conductivity (EC).

Withdrawal Performance of Nails and Screws in Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Made of Poplar () and Fir ().

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) can be used as an element in various parts of timber structures, such as bridges. Fast-growing hardwood species, like poplar, are useful in regions where there is a lack of wood resources. In this study, the withdrawal resistance of nine types of conventional fasteners (stainless-steel nails, concrete nails and screws, drywall screws, three types of partially and fully threaded wood screws, and two types of lag screws), with three loading directions (parallel to the grain, perpendicular to the surface, and tangential), and two layer arrangements (0-90-0° and 0-45-0°) in 3-ply CLTs made of poplar as a fast-growing species and fir as a common species in manufacturing of CLT was investigated.

Fast and accurate matching of cellular barcodes across short-reads and long-reads of single-cell RNA-seq experiments.

Single-cell RNA sequencing allows for characterizing the gene expression landscape at the cell type level. However, because of its use of short-reads, it is severely limited at detecting full-length features of transcripts such as alternative splicing. New library preparation techniques attempt to extend single-cell sequencing by utilizing both long-reads and short-reads.

Label-free electrochemical microfluidic biosensors: futuristic point-of-care analytical devices for monitoring diseases.

The integration of microfluidics with electrochemical analysis has resulted in the development of single miniaturized detection systems, which allows the precise control of sample volume with multianalyte detection capability in a cost- and time-effective manner. Microfluidic electrochemical sensing devices (MESDs) can potentially serve as precise sensing and monitoring systems for the detection of molecular markers in various detrimental diseases. MESDs offer several advantages, including (i) automated sample preparation and detection, (ii) low sample and reagent requirement, (iii) detection of multianalyte in a single run, (iv) multiplex analysis in a single integrated device, and (v) portability with simplicity in application and disposability.

The Effectiveness of Synbiotic on the Improvement of Clinical Symptoms in Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic inflammatory disorder of the esophagus. Today, probiotics are included as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of synbiotic on clinical symptom improvement in EoE patients.

Using Low-Cost Sensors to Assess Fine Particulate Matter Infiltration (PM) during a Wildfire Smoke Episode at a Large Inpatient Healthcare Facility.

Wildfire smoke exposure is associated with a range of acute health outcomes, which can be more severe in individuals with underlying health conditions. Currently, there is limited information on the susceptibility of healthcare facilities to smoke infiltration. As part of a larger study to address this gap, a rehabilitation facility in Vancouver, Canada was outfitted with one outdoor and seven indoor low-cost fine particulate matter (PM) sensors in Air Quality Eggs (EGG) during the summer of 2020.

Cryoballoon ablation as salvage therapy after nonradical resection of a high-risk T1b esophageal adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Although esophagectomy with or without (neo)adjuvant chemoradiation therapy is the current standard of care for patients with early esophageal adenocarcinoma with high-risk features or after nonradical endoscopic resection of an early esophageal adenocarcinoma, not all patients are eligible for surgery due to varying reasons. In these patients, cryoballoon ablation may serve as an alternative treatment option considering the potential of deeper tissue ablation as compared to heat-based ablation techniques. We report the first case in which cryoballoon ablation was successfully performed as salvage therapy with a curative intent for positive deep resection margins after an incomplete endoscopic resection of a recurrent early esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Synergizing Functional Nanomaterials with Aptamers Based on Electrochemical Strategies for Pesticide Detection: Current Status and Perspectives.

Owing to the high toxicity and large-scale use of pesticides, it is imperative to develop selective, sensitive, portable, and convenient sensors for rapid monitoring of pesticide. Therefore, the electrochemical detection platform offers a promising analytical approach since it is easy to operate, economical, efficient, and user-friendly. Meanwhile, with advances in functional nanomaterials and aptamer selection technologies, numerous sensitivity-enhancement techniques alongside a widespread range of smart nanomaterials have been merged to construct novel aptamer probes to use in the biosensing field.

Diabetes is associated with higher mortality and severity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

As a novel cause of pneumonia, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly progressed worldwide. Previous studies have indicated COVID-19 patients with diabetes show higher mortality rates and more severe COVID-19 infection with an increased requirement for intensive care and hospital length of stay (LOS) compared to non-diabetic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the association of diabetes and COVID-19 outcome with severity of disease in hospitalized patients.

Antibiotic therapy success rate in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

: The incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease is increasing worldwide. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the treatment success rate of antibiotic therapy in MAC pulmonary disease and evaluate the effectiveness of aminoglycoside-containing regimens.: We searched literature between 1 January 1980 to 19 June 2019.

Tuberculous Uveitis, Erythema Induratum, and Persistent Genital Warts in a Female Patient: A Rare Case Report.

Uveitis and erythema induratum are two uncommon extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis (TB). In most circumstances, we cannot isolate mycobacterium from those sites, so diagnosis is difficult. In the presented case, panuveitis, erythema induratum, and persistent anogenital warts were found concurrently in a 19-year-old girl who had a history of pulmonary TB 10 years ago.

The Changes of Brain Edema and Neurological Outcome, and the Probable Mechanisms in Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury Induced in Rats with the History of Exercise.

Since no definitive treatment has been suggested for diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI), and also as the effect of exercise has been proven to be beneficial in neurodegenerative diseases, the effect of endurance exercise on the complications of TBI along with its possible neuroprotective mechanism was investigated in this study. Our objective was to find out whether previous endurance exercise influences brain edema and neurological outcome in TBI. We also assessed the probable mechanism of endurance exercise effect in TBI.

Epigenetic modulation of BRCA-1 and MGMT genes, and histones H4 and H3 are associated with breast tumors.

Aberrant patterns in promoter methylation of tumor-suppressor genes and posttranslational modifications of histone proteins are considered as major features of malignancy. In this study, we aimed to investigate promoter methylation of three tumor-suppressor genes (BRCA-1, MGMT, and P16) and three histone marks (H3K9ac, H3K18ac, and H4K20me3) in patients with breast tumors. This case-control study included 27 patients with malignant breast tumors (MBT) and 31 patients with benign breast tumors (BBT).

Atorvastatin, losartan and captopril may upregulate IL-22 in hypertension and coronary artery disease; the role of gene polymorphism.

Aims: Interleukin-22 (IL-22) may be considered as an important cytokine in maintenance and progression of hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of treatment of hypertension and CAD on serum levels of IL-22 and the possible association of IL-22-rs1179251 gene polymorphism with hypertension and CAD.

Materials And Methods: A total of 286 subjects with suspected CAD were enrolled.

Evaluation of serum arsenic and its effects on antioxidant alterations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Environmental factors that are involved in the development of autoimmune diseases include bacteria, viruses, and xenobiotics such as chemicals, drugs, and metals. Regarding the metals, a number of studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress is one of the well-directed pathways of arsenic-induced tissue damages. This study was designed to explore the serum concentrations of arsenic and its correlation with markers associated with oxidative stress in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.

Liver disease symptoms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Introduction: It seems that there is a relationship between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SIBO among NAFLD patients.

Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 98 eligible NAFLD patients were evaluated for SIBO using hydrogen breath test (HBT).

Evaluation of lithium serum level in multiple sclerosis patients: A neuroprotective element.

Introduction: It has been claimed that continuous and high production of nitric oxide (NO) and its metabolites may be involved in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. A number of studies have demonstrated that lithium regulates NO levels in disorders of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether NO as a marker of disease activity is correlated with lithium deficiency in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS).