Participant selection procedures in qualitative research: experiences and some points for consideration.

Qualitative research is widely embraced in the social sciences and education. Among the different traditional, modern, and community-oriented qualitative methodologies, we have drawn on our experiences to adopt seven qualitative methodologies: auto/ethnography, narrative inquiry, participatory action research, ethnography, case study, grounded theory, and phenomenology. Despite the abundance of literature on qualitative methodologies, there is still a need for a more focused exploration of participant selection procedures in qualitative studies.

The Enigma That Is ROHHAD Syndrome: Challenges and Future Strategies.

Rapid-onset obesity with hypoventilation, hypothalamic dysfunction, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) is a rare syndrome presenting in early childhood associated with a high risk of mortality between 50 and 60%. It is characterised by rapid, early onset of obesity between 1.5-7 years, along with central hypoventilation and hypothalamic dysfunction, such as central hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, disorders of sodium and water balance, growth hormone deficiency, adrenocortical insufficiency, or disorders of puberty and features of autonomic dysregulation.

Benzene-1,3-disulfonyl Fluoride Mediated Synthesis of Glycosyl Fluorides from Glycosyl Hemiacetals.

We developed an efficient method for synthesizing glycosyl fluorides from glycosyl hemiacetals using benzene-1,3-disulfonyl fluoride () as the fluorinating agent in combination with the base DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) under mild conditions.

Nanoconjugate Carrying pH-Responsive Transferrin Receptor-Targeted Hesperetin Triggers Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Death through Oxidative Attack and Assemblage of Pro-Apoptotic Proteins.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is recognized as a major aggressive subtype of breast cancer due to its expeditious worsening growth, extensive metastatic capability, and recalcitrance to standard current treatments. Hesperetin (HSP), a natural bioflavonoid from citrus fruits, demonstrates pronounced anticancer efficacy, but its hydrophobicity limits its clinical development. The present study reports the fabrication of a biocompatible and pH-responsive transferrin (TF) receptor-targeted HSP-loaded poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobioconjugate (PLGA-HSP-TF NPs) and the exploration of its and antineoplastic potential.

Complications of excess weight seen in two tier 3 paediatric weight management services: an observational study.

Background: Children and young people living with severe obesity experience a range of complications of excess weight (CEW); however the prevalence of complications is not well defined. We have evaluated baseline characteristics and CEW of patients from two UK tier 3 paediatric weight management services.

Methods: All new patients aged 2-17 years seen from March 2022 to February 2023 were included.

The Evolution of Digital Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review.

Digital dentistry has revolutionized the traditional practice of dentistry, offering new tools and technologies that enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. This comprehensive review explores the evolution of digital dentistry, its role in modern dental practice, and the advantages, limitations, and future prospects. By examining the current state of digital dentistry, this review aims to provide insights into its transformative impact on dental healthcare.

A Real-World Experience Utilizing the FAST Score to Identify Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Fibrosis.

Background And Aims: We aimed to test the performance of the Fibroscan-aspartate aminotransferase (FAST) score, a noninvasive test, to identify nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and significant fibrosis (NASH + ≥F2) in a cohort of patients with a histological diagnosis of NASH, using a cutoff of ≥0.35 as a rule in factor. We also compared performance to liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥8 kPa and the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) ≥1.

Analysis of salivary alpha-L-fucosidase and salic acid among oral sub-mucous fibrosis patients.

The salivary concentrations of alpha L fucosidase (AFU) and salic acid (SA) in oral submucous fibrosis patients and compare it with healthy controls is of interest to dentists. 40 patients of OSMF and 40 healthy controls were included. Estimation of AFU and SA in saliva and serum was carried out in every patient.

Insights from the ACTION Teens Study: a survey of adolescents living with obesity, their caregivers and healthcare professionals in the UK.

Objectives: The Awareness, Care and Treatment In Obesity maNagement (ACTION) Teens study explored attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and barriers regarding effective obesity care among adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Design: Cross-sectional online survey study.

Setting: Study across 10 countries; here, we report data from UK respondents.

Budgeting and Advocacy to Improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Health Care Facilities: A Case Study in Nepal.

Barriers to achieving and sustaining access to water, sanitation, hygiene, cleaning, and waste management (WASH) in health care facilities include a lack of supportive policy environment and adequate funding. While guidelines exist for assessing needs and making initial infrastructure improvements, there is little guidance on how to develop budgets and policies to sustain WASH services. We conducted costing and advocacy activities in Thakurbaba municipality, Nepal, to develop a budget and operations and maintenance policy for WASH in health care facilities in partnership with the municipal government.

Artificial Intelligence Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease From MRI Scans.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, affecting approximately 6.1 million people worldwide, according to estimates from the Parkinson's Foundation. Early and accurate diagnosis of PD is crucial for effective management and treatment.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Distinction of Actinic Keratosis and Seborrheic Keratosis.

Actinic keratosis (AK) and seborrheic keratosis (SK) represent prevalent dermatological conditions with distinct clinical characteristics and potential health implications. This article investigates recent strides in dermatological diagnostics, centered on the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for discerning between AK and SK. The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of accurately distinguishing between stage one and stage two gastric carcinoma based on pathology slides.

Chromosome 20p11.2 deletions cause congenital hyperinsulinism via the loss of FOXA2 or its regulatory elements.

Persistent congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) is a rare genetically heterogeneous condition characterised by dysregulated insulin secretion leading to life-threatening hypoglycaemia. For up to 50% of affected individuals screening of the known HI genes does not identify a disease-causing variant. Large deletions have previously been used to identify novel regulatory regions causing HI.

Deoxyfluorinated amidation and esterification of carboxylic acid by pyridinesulfonyl fluoride.

Amide bond synthesis is one of the most used reactions in medicinal chemistry. We report an amide bond formation reaction through deoxyfluorinated carboxylic acids under mild conditions using 2-pyridinesulfonyl fluoride. The reaction procedure has been used in a one-pot synthesis of amides and esters generation of acyl fluoride.

A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Linear Dimensional Change and Compression Resistance of Four Elastomeric Interocclusal Recording Materials: An Study.

Unlabelled: The transfer of interocclusal data from the patient's mouth to articulators utilizing various types of recording media is necessary for the production of dental prostheses. Occlusal errors in the final prosthesis result from any discrepancies in these interocclusal records.

Materials And Methods: The purpose of this study was to assess the linear dimensional changes in the four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials as well as the material's resistance to compression during the cast mounting on the articulator.

Hysteroscopic Metroplasty Using Holmium: YAG Laser for Treatment of Septate Uterus.

Study Objective: To demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and ease of hysteroscopic metroplasty using holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser for treatment of septate uterus.

Design: Stepwise demonstration of surgical technique with narrated video footage.

Setting: Septate uterus is the most common type of uterine anomaly.

Comprehensive Assessment of Albumin and Uric Acid Levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Comparative Case-Control Study Involving Different Risk Groups.

Background Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant disorder that impacts the oral cavity and pharynx. Major risk factors for OSMF are attributed to the consumption of betel nuts or tobacco. These substances harbor various carcinogens that trigger the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species.

Influence of shock waves on bifunctional nickel particles: Enhancing magnetic properties and supercapacitor applications.

In the present study, shock-wave impact experiments were conducted to investigate the structural properties of nickel metal powder when exposed to shock waves. Both X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the structural and surface morphological changes in the shock-loaded samples. Notably, the experimental results revealed variations in lattice parameters and cell structures as a function of the number of shock pulses and the increasing volume.

Breast Cancer Macrophage Heterogeneity and Self-renewal are Determined by Spatial Localization.

Tumor-infiltrating macrophages support critical steps in tumor progression, and their accumulation in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with adverse outcomes and therapeutic resistance across human cancers. In the TME, macrophages adopt diverse phenotypic alterations, giving rise to heterogeneous immune activation states and induction of cell cycle. While the transcriptional profiles of these activation states are well-annotated across human cancers, the underlying signals that regulate macrophage heterogeneity and accumulation remain incompletely understood.

A non-invasive method for prediction of neurodegenerative diseases using gait signal features.

The steady degeneration of neurons is the hallmark of neurodegenerative illnesses, which are, by definition, incurable. Corticobasal Syndrome (CS), Huntington's Disease (HD), Dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) are some of the common neurodegenerative diseases which has impacted millions of people, predominantly among the older population. Various computational techniques, including but not limited to machine learning, are emerging as discrimination and detection of neuro-related diseases.

Case report: Molecular characterisation of adipose-tissue derived cells from a patient with ROHHAD syndrome.

There have been over 100 cases of Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome reported, but there is currently no curative treatment for children with this condition. We aimed to better characterise adipose cells from a child with ROHHAD syndrome. We isolated pre-adipocytes from a 4 year-old female patient with ROHHAD syndrome and assessed proliferation rate of these cells.