Assessing learning, behaviour, and stress level in goats while testing a virtual fencing training protocol.

Virtual fencing (VF) is a modern fencing technology using Global Positioning System-enabled collars which emit acoustic signals and, if the animal does not respond, electric pulses. Studies with cattle indicate successful learning and no distinct negative impact on the animals' behaviours and stress level. However, the number of studies testing VF with goats is relatively small.

Prevalence, risk factors, and adverse outcomes of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women: a systematic review.

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common genital tract infections among women of reproductive age. The existence of BV among pregnant women has momentously attracted the attention of both clinicians and the scientific community due to its potential link with adverse clinical outcomes in pregnancy.

Methods: To evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and adverse outcomes of bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women, a comprehensive systematic review was conducted based on the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria.

Assessment of dysphagia and its associations in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

In this cross-sectional study in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis receiving anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, we assessed complaint of dysphagia and evaluated their association with sex, age, disease duration, disability severity, and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The validated Persian version of Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis (DYMUS) questionnaire was used. A total of 66 patients were included.

Astaxanthin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles inhibit survival of MKN-45 gastric cancer cell line by modulating JAK2/STAT3/mTOR/PI3K pathway.

Background/aims: Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant global health issue with high incidence rates and poor prognoses, ranking among the top prevalent cancers worldwide. Due to undesirable side effects and drug resistance, there is a pressing need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Understanding the interconnectedness of the JAK2/STAT3/mTOR/PI3K pathway in tumorigenesis and the role of Astaxanthin (ASX), a red ketocarotenoid member of xanthophylls and potent antioxidant and anti-tumor activity, can be effective for cancer treatments.

Source Data Verification (SDV) quality in clinical research: A scoping review.

Introduction: The value of Source Data Verification (SDV) has been a common theme in the applied Clinical Translational Science literature. Yet, few published assessments of SDV quality exist even though they are needed to design risk-based and reduced monitoring schemes. This review was conducted to identify reports of SDV quality, with a specific focus on accuracy.

Defining methods to improve eSource site start-up practices.

Background: eSource software that transfers patient electronic health record data into a clinical trial electronic case report form holds promise for increasing data quality while reducing data collection, monitoring and source document verification costs. Integrating eSource into multicenter clinical trial start-up procedures could facilitate the use of eSource technologies in clinical trials.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative integrative analysis to identify eSource site start-up key steps, challenges that might occur in executing those steps, and potential solutions to those challenges.

Microstructural correlates of olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: a systematic review of diffusion MRI studies.

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a non-motor symptom of Parkinson's Disease, affecting 75-95% of the patients. This symptom usually emerges before the clinical diagnosis, and patients with OD present with more severe forms of PD and need higher doses of therapy. It remains unknown whether OD is just a mere non-motor symptom or if it is a part of a series of pathological changes in different brain regions of the affected patients.

Survival trends in heart transplant patients supported on ECMO and IABP: A 10-year UNOS database analysis.

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) heart transplant allocation policy was changed in 2018. This study examines the impact of the change in UNOS heart transplant allocation policy on the use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices and post-transplant survival. The analysis included a total of 26,481 patients listed and transplanted between January 2013 and June 2022.

Trinitroglycerin-loaded chitosan nanogels accelerate angiogenesis in wound healing process.

Trinitroglycerin (TNG) with remarkable angiogenic, antibacterial, and antioxidative activity is a promising candidate to govern wound healing capacity. However, its clinical administration is limited due to associated complications and NO short half-life. In the current study, TNG-loaded chitosan nanogels (TNG-Ngs) were examined in-vitro and in-vivo to gain insight into their clinical application.

Comparing the Accuracy of Traditional vs. FHIR®-Based Extraction of Electronic Health Record Data for Two Clinical Trials.

While pilots and production use of software based on the Health Level Seven (HL7®) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) standard are increasing in clinical research, we lack consistent evaluative data on important outcomes, such as data accuracy. We compared the accuracy of EHR collected, FHIR® extracted data (called EHR-to-eCRF data collection) to traditional clinical trial data collection. The accuracy rate for EHR-collected data was significantly higher than for the same data collected through traditional methods.

Present outlooks on the prevalence of minimal and subclinical tuberculosis and current diagnostic tests: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health issue, particularly in its minimal and subclinical forms, which often go undetected and contribute to transmission. Accurate prevalence assessment of these forms and the effectiveness of diagnostic tests are crucial for improving TB control, especially in high-risk populations such as those with HIV.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of minimal and subclinical TB and evaluate the positivity rates of current diagnostic tests.

Oxidative Stress Assessment of Noise Exposure in the Workers Using Hearing Protection in a Pressing Industry.

Background And Objective: Exposure to noise by generation of free radicals causes oxidative stress in body. The aim of this study was the evaluation of oxidative stress in workers who have used hearing protection devices during working time.

Material And Method: Pressing workers (n=24) of a home appliance industry were studied using hearing protection devices to reduce noise exposure.

Continuous wavelet transform and integration of discrete wavelet transform with principal component analysis and fuzzy inference system for the simultaneous determination of ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone in combined oral contraceptives.

In this study, the spectrophotometric method integrated with continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and coupled discrete wavelet transform (DWT) with fuzzy inference system (FIS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and drospirenone (DP) in combined oral contraceptives (COCs). The CWT approach was performed in the linearity range of 0.6-6 µg/mL for EE and 0.

Improving eSource Site Start-Up Practices.

Background: eSource software that copies patient electronic health record data into a clinical trial electronic case report form holds promise for increasing data quality while reducing data collection, monitoring and source document verification costs. Integrating eSource into multicenter clinical trial start-up procedures could facilitate the use of eSource technologies in clinical trials.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative integrative analysis to identify eSource site start-up key steps, challenges that might occur in executing those steps, and potential solutions to those challenges.

Designing and synthesis of injectable hydrogel based on carboxymethyl cellulose/carboxymethyl chitosan containing QK peptide for femoral head osteonecrosis healing.

Femoral head necrosis is a debilitating disorder that typically caused by impaired blood supply to the hip joint. In this study, a novel injectable hydrogel based on Oxidized Carboxymethyl Cellulose (OCMC)-Carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMCS) polymers containing an angiogenesis stimulator peptide (QK) with a non-toxic crosslinking interaction (Schiff based reaction) was synthesized to enhance angiogenesis following femoral head necrosis in an animal model. The physicochemical features of fabricated injectable hydrogel were analyzed by FTIR, swelling and degradation rate, rheometry, and peptide release.

Trinitroglycerin-loaded chitosan nanogels: Shedding light on cytotoxicity, antioxidativity, and antibacterial activities.

Aim And Background: Trinitroglycerin (TNG) is a remarkable NO-releasing agent. Here, we synthesized TNG based on chitosan Nanogels (Ngs) for ameliorating complications associated with high-dose TNG administration.

Method: TNG-Ngs fabricated through ionic-gelation technique.

In vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm screening of eighteen Iranian medicinal plants.

Background: Natural products are one of the best candidates for controlling drug-resistant pathogens, the advantages of which include low production costs and low side effects. In this study, as potential antimicrobials, the anti-bacterial and antibiofilm activities of several Iranian native medicinal plants were screened.

Methods: The antibacterial/antifungal and anti-biofilm activities of 18 medicinal plants including Reseda lutea L.

Celiac Disease: A Review from Genetic to Treatment.

Celiac disease (CD) is a complex disorder influenced by genetic and environmental factors. When people with a genetic predisposition to CD consume gluten, an inflammatory response is triggered in the small intestine, and this reaction can be alleviated by the elimination of gluten from the diet. The clinical manifestations of CD vary greatly from person to person and begin at a young age or in adulthood.

Bell's palsy: a case report of unusual presentation in a patient with rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis.

Background: Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by the Mucorales order of fungi. This fungus is commonly found in soil and can cause disease in immunocompromised patients. On the other hand, Bell's palsy is an idiopathic condition that results in the sudden onset of unilateral facial muscle weakness, affecting the facial nerve.

Predicting survival of Iranian COVID-19 patients infected by various variants including omicron from CT Scan images and clinical data using deep neural networks.

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant virus has resulted in an overload of hospitals around the globe. As a result, many patients are deprived of hospital facilities, increasing mortality rates. Therefore, mortality rates can be reduced by efficiently assigning facilities to higher-risk patients.

Cell toxicity assessment in co-treatment to metalworking fluids and vibration: an in vitro study of occupational exposure setting.

This study was designed to study dual risk of MWFs and vibration according to exposure simulation of selected industry. Air samples of two types MWFs were evaluated according to NIOSH 5026. Vibration acceleration exposure was assessed based on the ISO 8041:2005 standard.

Exploring and Expression in B-cell Lymphoma Subtypes: Interaction With DNA Damage Repair Genes.

Background/aim: B-cell lymphomas are characterized by diverse genetic anomalies affecting B-cell differentiation. To expand targeted therapies, an in-depth grasp of the molecular dynamics in the germinal center (GC) is vital. Transducin β-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) and nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCOR1) are instrumental within the GC, modulating myriad oncogenic pathways.

Canadian Landscape Assessment of Colorectal Cancer Screening during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in colorectal cancer (CRC) care by interrupting CRC screening across Canada, posing problems for program participants, patients, and physicians and no clear understanding of how provincial healthcare systems would adapt in the face of another pandemic or shock to the system. A nationwide online survey targeted to members of the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Network (NCCSN) using the SurveyMonkey platform was conducted to gain insight into the impact of the pandemic on CRC screening from March 2020 to March 2022 across all thirteen Canadian jurisdictions. The survey included 25 multiple-choice and free-text questions.

Maternal Vertical Microbial Transmission During Skin-to-Skin Care.

Background: Skin-to-skin (STS) care may contribute to mother-to-infant vertical microbial transmission by enriching the preterm infant's microbiome.

Purpose: The purpose of this observational study was to define the impact of increased STS care duration on vertical microbial transmission and consequently modulate oral and intestinal microbial balance.

Methods: Postpartum women and their preterm infants, 31 to 34 weeks' gestation (n = 25), were recruited for this study.