A deep learning approach to perform defect classification of freeze-dried product.

Cosmetic inspection of freeze-dried products is an important part of the post-manufacturing quality control process. Traditionally done by human visual inspection, this method poses typical challenges and shortcomings that can be addressed with innovative techniques. While many cosmetic defects can occur, some are considered more critical than others as they can be harmful to the patient or affect the drug's efficacy.

Simulator training in focus assessed transthoracic echocardiography (FATE) for undergraduate medical students: results from the FateSim randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Ultrasound is important in heart diagnostics, yet implementing effective cardiac ultrasound requires training. While current strategies incorporate digital learning and ultrasound simulators, the effectiveness of these simulators for learning remains uncertain. This study evaluates the effectiveness of simulator-based versus human-based training in Focused Assessed with Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE).

The impact of common and rare genetic variants on bradyarrhythmia development.

To broaden our understanding of bradyarrhythmias and conduction disease, we performed common variant genome-wide association analyses in up to 1.3 million individuals and rare variant burden testing in 460,000 individuals for sinus node dysfunction (SND), distal conduction disease (DCD) and pacemaker (PM) implantation. We identified 13, 31 and 21 common variant loci for SND, DCD and PM, respectively.

SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in patients with multiple myeloma and lenalidomide maintenance therapy.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncontrolled plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow, leading to immune dysregulation with impaired humoral immune responses. Conversely, cellular-based responses play a vital role in MM patients. However, the extent and duration of cellular-induced protection remain unclear to date.

Tin prefiltration in computed tomography does not significantly alter radiation-induced gene expression and DNA double-strand break formation.

Background: The tin (Sn) prefilter technique is a recently introduced dose-saving technique in computed tomography (CT). This study investigates whether there is an altered molecular biological response in blood cells using the tin prefiltering technique.

Methods: Blood from 6 donors was X-irradiated ex-vivo with 20 mGy full dose (FD) protocols (Sn 150 kV, 150 kV, and 120 kV) and a tin prefiltered 16.

A national cross-sectional survey of health literacy of caregivers attending Canadian pediatric emergency departments.

Background: Health literacy assessment is key to better meeting family needs and developing informed strategies to promote positive health outcomes for children. The objective of this study was to describe the health literacy of caregivers who use Canadian pediatric emergency departments and relate it to demographic and visit-specific variables.

Methods: This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with medical record review.

Effect of Acute Hypoxia Exposure on the Availability of A Adenosine Receptors and Perfusion in the Human Brain.

In animal studies it has been observed that the inhibitory neuromodulator adenosine is released into the cerebral interstitial space during hypoxic challenges. Adenosine's actions on the A adenosine receptor (AAR) protect the brain from oxygen deprivation and overexertion through adjustments in cerebral blood flow, metabolism, and electric activity. Using 8-cyclopentyl-3-(3-[F]fluoropropyl)-1-propylxanthine ([F]CPFPX), a PET tracer for the AAR, we tested the hypothesis that hypoxia-induced adenosine release reduces AAR availability in the human brain.

Designing a visible light-mediated double photoswitch: a combination of biradical and azobenzene structural motifs that can be switched independently.

A new molecular switch is presented that combines both biradical and azobenzene motifs to perform visible light-induced constitutional and stereo-isomerisation within the same molecule. The insertion of isonitrile-functionalised azobenzenes into the four-membered biradical [˙P(μ-NTer)P˙] (1), yielding a phosphorus-centred cyclopentane-1,3-diyl (-4B and -5B), represents a straightforward method to generate the desired double switches (-4B and -5B) in excellent yields (>90%). The switching properties are demonstrated for the fluorinated species -5B and, interestingly, can occur either stepwise or simultaneously, depending on the order in which the sample is irradiated with red and/or green light.

Replication Restriction of Influenza A(H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Viruses by Human Immune Factor, 2023-2024.

We show that human myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MxA) suppresses replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from mammals in vitro and in MxA-transgenic mice. However, H5N1 can evade MxA restriction through replacement of individual viral polymerase complex components from a human-adapted MxA-resistant strain in vitro.

Professional Resistance: Why Korean Medical Students are Boycotting Over Increasing Medical School Places.

In February 2024, medical students in South Korea began submitting leave-of-absence requests in protest of a 65% increase in the number of medical school places in 2025. 14,000 medical students have boycotted classes and 12,000 doctors have resigned en masse. The 2024 Korean medical student collective action highlights the 'power' of medical students, the need for independent medical licensing bodies and the risks to the quality of medical education when places in medical schools are rapidly increased.

Overweight and obesity among Israeli adolescents and the risk for serious morbidity in early young adulthood: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Background: Morbidities related to obesity are usually associated with its severity and duration. Yet, the onset of serious morbidities in early adulthood among otherwise healthy adolescents with obesity is understudied. We aimed to investigate the association between adolescent BMI and serious morbidities before age 25 years.

Optimization of continuous spin-freeze-drying: The role of spin-freezing on quality attributes and drying efficiency of a model peptide formulation.

Continuous spin-freeze-drying is an innovative pharmaceutical manufacturing approach offering real-time monitoring and control at the individual vial level, unlike conventional batch lyophilization. A central feature of this technology is spin-freezing, which involves rapidly spinning liquid-filled vials under a precisely controlled cold gas flow, resulting in a thin, uniform frozen product layer. Using a model peptide formulation, we investigated the impact of different cooling and crystallization rates on quality attributes (QA) and primary drying duration.

Pre-malignant conditions diagnosed following a positive cancer signal from a multi-cancer early detection test.

Blood-based tests for multi-cancer early detection (MCED) are being developed to facilitate the detection of various cancer types. The Detecting cancers Earlier Through Elective mutation-based blood Collection and Testing study (DETECT-A) study evaluated an MCED test in 9,911 women, age 65-75, without personal history of cancer. In a analysis, we report on the detection of precancerous neoplasms consequent to MCED testing and follow-up.

Superficial Papular Neuroma: Two Cases of a Distinctive Dermal Neoplasm.

Superficial papular neuroma is a rare cutaneous spindle cell lesion, with only 5 cases reported in 2 studies. We document 2 additional cases in a 45-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman (the first case identified in a woman). Clinically, superficial papular neuromas appear as a single, non-specific papule on the head, neck, or back.

Cerebrospinal fluid red blood cells and total protein are associated with clinical outcome in spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background And Purpose: Prognostication in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can be challenging. The aim of this study was to assess whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) red blood cell (RBC) count and total protein (TP) concentration are associated with SAH prognosis.

Methods: Patients with SAH treated at the neurological intensive care unit (ICU) in Innsbruck were included in this real-world, observational study.

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors: Clinical Presentation, Molecular Characterization, and Therapeutic Approach of Seven Patients.

Desmoplastic small round blue cell tumor (DSRCT) is a highly aggressive fatal sarcoma without evidence-based therapeutic guidelines. We present here seven patients with DSRCT including immunohistochemistry combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), next generation sequencing (NGS,  = 6) as well as OncoScan array ( = 3) analyses and show consecutive therapeutic approaches. All seven DSRCT patients presented with an extended abdominal mass; median age at diagnosis was 24.

Advanced lung imaging with photon-counting detectors: Insights from thermoluminescence dosimetry.

Rationale And Objectives: This study investigates the dose burden of photon-counting detector (PCD) lung CT with ultra-high-resolution (UHR) and standard mode using organ-based tube current modulation (OBTCM).

Materials And Methods: An anthropomorphic Alderson-Rando phantom was scanned in UHR and standard mode with and without OBTCM on three dose levels (IQ 5, 20, 50). Effective radiation dose was determined by thermoluminescent dosimetry in 13 measurement sites and compared with the calculated effective dose derived from the dose-length product.

Recruiting Persons With Dementia: A Systematic Review of Facilitators, Barriers, and Strategies.

Study recruitment of persons with dementia is challenging. We aimed to assess facilitators, barriers, and strategies to identify and approach persons with dementia for recruitment to dementia care studies. We systematically searched MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and other sources (ORRCA [Online Resource for Research in Clinical triAls]; pertinent evidence syntheses; citation searching) and narratively summarised the results (PROSPERO CRD42022342600).

Niche separation in bacterial communities and activities in porewater, loosely attached, and firmly attached fractions in permeable surface sediments.

Heterotrophic microbes are central to organic matter degradation and transformation in marine sediments. Currently, most investigations of benthic microbiomes do not differentiate between processes in the porewater and on the grains and, hence, only show a generalized picture of the community. This limits our understanding of the structure and functions of sediment microbiomes.

Anti-allergic effect of (honeybush) extracts via anti-degranulation activity in a murine allergy model for inhaled antigen.

The anti-allergic effects of extracts prepared from two species of honeybush, and , were demonstrated in a murine allergy model for inhaled antigen induced with ovalbumin (OVA) inhalation to mimic pollen allergy. Intake of the extracts increased the production of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E (IgE), IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies in serum and significantly suppressed anaphylactic reaction-induced body temperature decline. Moreover, the extracts significantly inhibited antigen-antibody-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells.

Rivaroxaban vs Vitamin K Antagonist in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) has been linked to worsening of kidney function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: XARENO (Factor XA-inhibition in RENal patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation Observational registry; NCT02663076) is a prospective observational study comparing adverse kidney outcomes in patients with AF and advanced chronic kidney disease receiving rivaroxaban or VKA.

Methods: Patients with AF and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 to 49 mL/min/1.

A navigated, robot-driven laser craniotomy tool for frameless depth electrode implantation. An recovery animal study.

We recently introduced a frameless, navigated, robot-driven laser tool for depth electrode implantation as an alternative to frame-based procedures. This method has only been used in cadaver and non-recovery studies. This is the first study to test the robot-driven laser tool in an recovery animal study.