Assessing actionability and incidental findings of germline variants in two precision oncology trials.

Introduction: High-throughput sequencing techniques have revolutionized oncology. Paired germline-tumor DNA analysis has emerged as a comprehensive strategy to uncover actionable alterations in advanced cancer patients (ACP) enrolled in precision oncology trials. However, challenges persist in variant interpretation and managing incidental germline findings.

Associations between maternal bacteremia during the peripartum period and early-onset neonatal sepsis: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) significantly impacts neonatal morbidity and mortality, with maternal bacteremia during the peripartum period being a potential risk factor. This study aims to explore the association between peripartum maternal bacteremia and EONS.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study at the Women's Wellness and Research Center in Doha, Qatar (2015-2019) compared women with and without bacteremia, based on blood cultures taken from up to seven days before to 48 h after delivery, examining the association with EONS.

Relationship Between Weight Loss, Changes in Serum hs-CRP Levels and apo A-1 Lipoprotein, and High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Ratios as Predictors for Improved Cardiovascular Risk Factors After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Introduction: Obesity, a major global health concern, is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), often due to dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective weight reduction surgery that not only alters body metabolism and gastrointestinal physiology but also significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk.

Methods: This study explores the impact of weight loss on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an established inflammatory marker, and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, particularly high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratios, serum apo A-1, lipid profile, and HOMA-IR in severe obesity undergoing LSG.

Ameliorative effect of aqueous avocado seed extract against chromium-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage in rabbit kidney.

The accumulation of chromium in renal tissues promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress, genomic and cellular harm, and ultimately necrotic and apoptotic cell death induced by free radicals. Hence, the utilization of antioxidant phytochemicals becomes crucial for cellular defense against oxidative damage. This study endeavors to explore the potential protective effects of an aqueous avocado seed extract (ASE) on rabbit kidneys exposed to chromium-induced damage.

Targeting post-stroke neuroinflammation with Salvianolic acid A: molecular mechanisms and preclinical evidence.

Salvianolic acid A (SalA), a bioactive compound extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has garnered considerable interest for its potential in ameliorating the post-stroke neuroinflammation. This review delineates the possible molecular underpinnings of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective roles of SalA, offering a comprehensive analysis of its therapeutic efficacy in preclinical studies of ischemic stroke. We explore the intricate interplay between post-stroke neuroinflammation and the modulatory effects of SalA on pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory signaling pathways, the peripheral immune cell infiltration through blood-brain barrier disruption, and endothelial cell function.

Development and Validation of the Needlestick Injury Prevention (N-SIP) Module.

Introduction: Needlestick injuries (NSIs) pose a significant occupational hazard to healthcare workers (HCWs), with potential risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The development of effective training modules is crucial to addressing NSI prevention and enhancing HCWs' knowledge and risk perception. This study aims to develop and validate the Needlestick Injury Prevention Module (N-SIP) using the ADDIE model (Florida State University, FL), which stands for Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation, to improve NSI-related knowledge and risk perception among House Officers (HOs) in healthcare settings.

Predictors of premature termination of cardiac surgery trials: insights from the Clinicaltrial.gov database.

Objectives: Clinical trials that are terminated prematurely may generate incomplete and potentially biased data and the reasons for premature trials termination are poorly understood. Our objective was to describe the incidence of premature trial termination and identify factors associated with it.

Methods: We performed a systematic search on ClinicalTrials.

Comprehensive Analysis of Breastfeeding's Influence on Child Health Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Breastfeeding is recognized as a crucial determinant of child health and development, yet its multifaceted effects remain underexplored in many contexts. This cross-sectional study investigates the association between breastfeeding practices and various health and developmental outcomes in infants and young children, focusing on exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, and formula feeding. Done at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Pakistan, the research aims to provide comprehensive insights into the nuanced impacts of breastfeeding on child well-being.

Exploring the Multifaceted Influences on Childhood Nutritional Status: A Study Conducted in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Introduction The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in Pakistan is a rising concern affecting school-going children, marked by coexisting under- and over-nutrition within the same population. Key influences include shifts in dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization. With a focus on Multan, Pakistan, the study seeks to assess the proportion of underweight and overweight students while identifying the risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics associated with this incidence.

Deepening insights into cholinergic agents for intraocular pressure reduction: systems genetics, molecular modeling, and perspectives.

Parasympathetic activation in the anterior eye segment regulates various physiological functions. This process, mediated by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, also impacts intraocular pressure (IOP) through the trabecular meshwork. While FDA-approved M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) agonists exist for IOP reduction, their systemic cholinergic adverse effects pose limitations in clinical use.

Preclinical efficacy of oral and nasal rivastigmine-loaded chitosan nano-particles on AlCl-induced Alzheimer's-like disease in rats.

The successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still a big challenge. Rivastigmine is one of the most used drugs for the treatment of AD. The short half-life, lower bioavailability, and less concentration of the drug in the brain after oral delivery are considered the main drawbacks of rivastigmine.

Thunbergia's Flowers Secondary Metabolites a Natural Armor Against Kidney Damage by Diclofenac.

Nephrotoxicity is a common side effect arising from exposure to drugs or toxins. The study investigates the therapeutic effects of Thunbergia alata and Thunbergia erecta flowers on diclofenac-induced renal injury. Secondary metabolite characterization by positive mode high-resolution-ESI (LC-HR-ESI-MS) was followed by assessing their renal protection against diclofenac-induced damage and molecular docking studies.

The impact of consuming different types of high-caloric fat diet on the metabolic status, liver, and aortic integrity in rats.

Consumption of high-caloric diets contributes to the alarming number of overweight and obese individuals worldwide, which in turn leads to several diseases and multiple organ dysfunction. Not only has the number of calories taken per day but also the type of fat in the diet has an important impact on health. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of different types of high-caloric fat diets on the metabolic status and the integrity of the liver and aorta in albino rats.

Perceptions of the Research Integrity Climate in Egyptian Universities: A Survey Among Academic Researchers.

Investigations regarding perceptions of the institutional research integrity climate in the Arab Middle East remain underexplored. We surveyed faculty from three Egyptian universities. We utilized the Survey of Organizational Research Climate (SOuRCe) tool, which incorporates seven subscales that measure different aspects of the research integrity climate.

Male midwifery practice and acceptability: attitudes, beliefs, and associated factors among expectant mothers in Savelugu Municipal Hospital, Northern Region of Ghana.

Introduction: male midwifery is a relatively new phenomenon in Ghana and most expectant mothers still do not recognize their contribution to reproductive healthcare. This study aims to assess the acceptability of male midwifery practice among expectant mothers in Savelugu Municipal Hospital.

Methods: this was a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Prolactinoma: Navigating the Dual Challenge of Side Effects and Treatment Strategies - A Comprehensive Review.

This narrative review provides a succinct exploration of prolactinoma, the most common pituitary adenoma, focusing on its epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic interventions. Beginning with an overview of its prevalence and aetiology, the review delves into the gender distribution and familial associations of prolactinoma. Clinical presentations, including endocrine disruptions, reproductive health issues, and metabolic disturbances, are examined, emphasizing their impact on hormonal regulation and cardiovascular health.

The Role of Preoperative Abdominal Ultrasound in the Preparation of Patients Undergoing Primary Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Machine Learning Algorithm on 4418 Patients' Records.

Background: The utility of preoperative abdominal ultrasonography (US) in evaluating patients with obesity before metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) remains ambiguously defined.

Method: Retrospective analysis whereby patients were classified into four groups based on ultrasound results. Group 1 had normal findings.

Outcomes of Zone II Flexor Tendon Repair Under General Versus Wide Awake Local Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) is gaining popularity with flexor tendon repair. We hypothesized that results of zone II flexor tendon repair performed under WALANT would be superior to those performed under general anesthesia (GA).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare results of repair of zone II flexor tendon lacerations under WALANT versus GA.

Ergonomics and health risk awareness of workers involved in manual material handling at Sabon Gari Market in Zaria, Nigeria.

This study assessed the manual handling of materials in a local market environment and evaluated workers' awareness of ergonomics and health risks. Of 315 workers surveyed, 308 responded. The findings revealed a high prevalence rate of 96.

Response to Recombinant Human Growth Hormone (rhGH) Therapy in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency.

Objective: To determine the auxological response to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) presenting at the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design:  Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2022 to December 2023.