Does the outcome of acupuncture differ according to the location of sham needling points in acupuncture trials for migraine? A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Various acupuncture clinical trials have been conducted on migraine; however, the conclusions remain controversial especially when acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture. Sham acupuncture is sometimes performed at the same acupuncture points used for verum acupuncture despite the evidence on acupuncture point specificity. Four databases were searched for sham acupuncture or waiting list-controlled acupuncture trials for migraine on December 25, 2023.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a GHSR blocker in people with alcohol use disorder.

BACKGROUNDStudies have demonstrated the role of ghrelin in alcohol-related behaviors and consumption. Blockade of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), which is the ghrelin receptor, has been shown to decrease alcohol drinking and reward-related behaviors across several animal models. We previously conducted a human study testing a GHSR inverse agonist/competitive antagonist, PF-5190457, in individuals who are heavy drinkers and showed its safety when coadministered with alcohol.

Evaluation of the Inferior Alveolar Canal Course in Relation to Fully and Partially Impacted Lower Third Molar Roots via Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Introduction: Impacted mandibular third molars are frequently encountered in dentistry. As extraction is often the treatment of choice, knowledge of the proximity and relationship of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) with the tooth is essential. This study was designed to determine the course of the IAC in cases of impacted lower third molars.

Exosomal miR-6126 as a novel therapeutic target for overcoming resistance of anti-cancer effect in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the sixth most prevalent cancer globally, presenting a substantial health challenge, particularly due to late-stage diagnoses that limit treatment effectiveness. Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, is the primary chemotherapeutic agent for advanced HCC, but it only extends survival by 2-3 months. However, drug resistance remains a major clinical challenge, necessitating the exploration of new molecular mechanisms, including the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in sorafenib resistance.

Readmission outcomes after acute coronary syndrome among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Background And Aims: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with arterial thrombosis, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Prior studies have suggested similar in-hospital mortality among patients with MPN compared to those without. However, post-ACS outcomes have not been thoroughly evaluated.

Isotopic characteristics of antifouling paints and fractionation of Cu and Zn isotopes during dissolution by seawater and their adsorption to marine sediments.

The elemental and isotopic (δCu and δZn) characteristics of 34 AFP samples from 5 paint manufacturers, the isotopic fractionation during the dissolution of AFPs by seawater, and the subsequent adsorption of isotopes onto coastal fine-grained sediments were investigated to identify potential indicators (metal ratios and isotopes). The δCu and δZn values for 34 AFPs could be divided into 2 groups regardless of the type of paint or manufacturer. Dissolution by seawater induced substantial fractionation but δCu and δZn approached the bulk AFP values when the leached fraction increased.

Structural plasticity of the coiled-coil interactions in human SFPQ.

The proteins SFPQ (splicing Factor Proline/Glutamine rich) and NONO (non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein) are mammalian members of the Drosophila Behaviour/Human Splicing (DBHS) protein family, which share 76% sequence identity in their conserved 320 amino acid DBHS domain. SFPQ and NONO are involved in all steps of post-transcriptional regulation and are primarily located in mammalian paraspeckles: liquid phase-separated, ribonucleoprotein sub-nuclear bodies templated by NEAT1 long non-coding RNA. A combination of structured and low-complexity regions provide polyvalent interaction interfaces that facilitate homo- and heterodimerisation, polymerisation, interactions with oligonucleotides, mRNA, long non-coding RNA, and liquid phase-separation, all of which have been implicated in cellular homeostasis and neurological diseases including neuroblastoma.

Modern Treatment of Hallux Rigidus by Cheilectomy: A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Minimally Invasive Techniques.

Background: Minimally invasive cheilectomy is becoming a more prominent surgical approach in the management of mild to moderate hallux rigidus. This systematic review aims to analyze and present the current literature on patient-reported outcomes following minimally invasive (MIS) cheilectomy for mild to moderate hallux rigidus.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus databases were searched in April 2024.

Screened Fv-Antibodies against the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Receptor Neutralizing the Infection of SARS-CoV-2.

For the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, four Fv-antibodies with binding affinity for the ACE2 receptor were screened from an Fv-antibody library. The screened Fv-antibodies were expressed as soluble proteins and estimated to have a high binding affinity, comparable to that between SARS-CoV-2 and the ACE2 receptor. The interaction between the Fv-antibodies and the ACE2 receptor was analyzed using docking simulation, and the significant binding affinity of the screened Fv-antibodies was attributed to the homology in amino acid sequence with the ACE2 receptor.

Unravelling complex mechanisms in materials processes with cryogenic electron microscopy.

Investigating nanoscale structural variations, including heterogeneities, defects, and interfacial characteristics, is crucial for gaining insight into material properties and functionalities. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is developing as a powerful tool in materials science particularly for non-invasively understanding nanoscale structures of materials. These advancements bring us closer to the ultimate goal of correlating nanoscale structures to bulk functional outcomes.

Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation With Versus Without Additional Right Atrial Linear Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: The CRALAL Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone is less effective in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with those with paroxysmal AF. We investigate whether additional linear ablation from the superior vena cava to the right atrial septum and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation improves the rhythm outcome of patients with persistent AF undergoing cryoballoon PVI (Cryo-PVI).

Methods: In this investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized clinical trial, 289 patients with persistent AF refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy were randomized 1:1 to either Cryo-PVI with additional right atrium (RA) linear ablation or Cryo-PVI alone.

Latent profile analysis of spinal deep muscle strength and physical fitness in elite Taekwondo athletes.

In Taekwondo, core stability and physical fitness are vital for performance, with spinal deep muscles playing a key role. This study explored the relationship between spinal deep muscle strength and physical fitness in 104 adolescent Taekwondo athletes, using a cross-sectional design in a laboratory setting. Participants were classified into groups based on spinal muscle strength at various angles, measured with a Centaur 3D machine.

Educational outcomes of digital serious games in nursing education: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Advancements in digital technologies and the coronavirus disease pandemic have rapidly shifted educational practices towards engaging digital methods, such as serious games, significantly influencing healthcare education. Digital serious games enhance nursing education by effectively overcoming limitations such as limited training time and inadequate resources, thereby improving knowledge and skills. Few high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses were focused exclusively on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of digital serious games to determine their effects in nursing education.

Ultrahigh-gain colloidal quantum dot infrared avalanche photodetectors.

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising for infrared photodetectors with high detectivity and low-cost production. Although CQDs enable photoinduced charge multiplication, thermal noise in low-bandgap materials limits their performance in IR detectors. Here we present a pioneering architecture of a CQD-based infrared photodetector that uses kinetically pumped avalanche multiplication.

Characterization of intact FeoB in a lipid bilayer using styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers.

The acquisition of ferrous iron (Fe) is crucial for the survival of many pathogenic bacteria living within acidic and/or anoxic conditions such as Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the disease cholera. Bacterial pathogens utilize iron as a cofactor to drive essential metabolic processes, and the primary prokaryotic Fe acquisition mechanism is the ferrous iron transport (Feo) system. In V.

Nutritional value of common carbohydrate sources used in pet foods.

Diet digestibility can vary based on factors such as the type of ingredients, processing techniques, formulation, fiber content, and nutrient interactions. Unlike proteins and fats, there is no specific carbohydrate requirement, which typically constitutes 30%-60% of commercial dried dog foods. Because of the significant proportion of carbohydrates in dog food, this study aimed to evaluate the differences in nutrient digestibility among barley, brown rice, corn, mung bean, and rice, which are common carbohydrate sources in commercial dog foods.

Nurses' Experience of Good Nursing Care for Terminally Ill and End-of-life Patients: The Client-Nurse, Practice, and Environment Domains.

Purpose: This study explored nurses' experience of "good nursing care" in the context of caring for terminally ill and end-of-life patients, providing a foundation for improving patient care.

Methods: We employed a qualitative research approach, integrating both inductive and deductive analysis methods. Data collection occurred from May 1 to August 1, 2023, involving nine nurses from intensive care units, hospice and palliative care wards, and nursing homes.

Telemedicine facilitates medical care for hospitalized patients in quarantine.

Background/purpose: Telemedicine is an innovative medical care system that facilitates visual communication between patients and healthcare workers (HCWs), mainly in a community-based setting. We investigated the clinical effectiveness of in-patient telemedicine care for patients in quarantine for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study to include patients with mild-to-moderate severity of COVID-19 and their primary-care HCWs.

ATR inhibition promotes synergistic antitumor effect in platinum-resistant pancreatic cancer.

Background: Oxaliplatin is a commonly used platinum-based chemotherapy drug for patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Drug resistance is a major challenge in PC treatment, underscoring the urgent need for new approaches. Targeting DNA damage repair, one of the factors responsible for platinum resistance, is an attractive strategy to overcome drug resistance.

Prognostic Efficacy of the Albumin-Bilirubin Score and Treatment Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Large-Scale, Multi-Center Real-World Database Study.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with treatment outcomes closely tied to liver function. This study evaluates the prognostic utility of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score compared to the traditional Child-Pugh (CP) grading, leveraging real-world evidence from a large-scale, multi-center database.

Methods: The Liver Cancer IN Korea (LINK) research network, a multi-center initiative, retrospectively collected electronic health records from three academic hospitals in South Korea, encompassing HCC patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2020.

Development of a Sealed Rechargeable Li-SO Battery.

Rechargeable Li-SO batteries offer low-cost, high-energy density benefits and can leverage manufacturing processes for the existing primary version at a commercial scale. However, they have so far only been demonstrated in an "open-system" with continuous gas supply, preventing practical application. Here, the utilization and reversibility of SO along with the lithium stability are addressed, all essential for long-life, high-energy batteries.

Moral distress, professional value, and vocational choice among senior nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

During clinical placement, nursing students may experience unease and moral distress, which negatively impacts their professional values and vocational choices. However, no instrument exists to measure moral distress in nursing students. Thus, this study constructs measurement items for moral distress and explores the factors that influence the vocational choices of nursing students.