Epidemiological analysis and potential factors affecting the 2022-23 Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Iraq.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute tick-borne disease with a case fatality rate of up to 40% in humans, posing a significant health threat. This study investigates the 2022-23 CCHF outbreaks in Iraq, the highest recorded to date, and analyzes potential factors at the human-animal-environmental interface. Data from the Iraqi government, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank were used to analyze CCHF trends and affecting factors.

'Will my fingerprint be enough?': secondary school students struggle to purchase a healthy, tasty and sustainable meal on the UK free school meal allowance.

Objective: Free school meals (FSM) are a crucial form of support for families. This study aimed to investigate whether the FSM allowance can provide what is perceived to be, healthy, sustainable and satisfying food.

Design: A mixed methods study incorporating co-production, citizen science and participatory approaches was conducted.

Development and evaluation of an antigen targeting lateral flow test for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.

Background: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate of 5-25% that has been prioritised for research and development by the World Health Organisation. There are no CCHF rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) commercially available. We describe the development and evaluation of an antigen-targeting lateral flow immunoassay RDT for CCHF.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Iraq.

Background: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most common tick-borne viral disease worldwide. Its incidence has increased rapidly in the Eastern Mediterranean countries and has been endemic in Iraq since it was first identified in 1979.

Aim: To describe the sociodemographic, epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of CCHF patients in Iraq.

Predicting rainfall using machine learning, deep learning, and time series models across an altitudinal gradient in the North-Western Himalayas.

Predicting rainfall is a challenging and critical task due to its significant impact on society. Timely and accurate predictions are essential for minimizing human and financial losses. The dependence of approximately 60% of agricultural land in India on monsoon rainfall implies the crucial nature of accurate rainfall prediction.

Unveiling SmearOFF Efficacy in Smear Layer Removal through Ultrasonic Activation Examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy.

A layer of smear that coats the walls of root canals is produced by root canal instrumentation, which could be unfavorable to endodontic therapy. The endodontic irrigant SmearOFF is designed to effectively remove both the smear layer and bacteria concurrently. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of SmearOFF and 17% EDTA in removing the smear layer across the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of root canals.

The backbone NMR resonance assignments of the stabilized E. coli β clamp.

The 81 kDa E. coli β clamp is a ring-shaped head-to-tail homodimer that encircles DNA and plays a central role in bacterial DNA replication by serving as a processivity factor for DNA polymerases and a binding platform for other DNA replication and repair proteins. Here we report the backbone H, N, and C NMR resonance assignments of the stabilized T45R/S107R β clamp variant obtained using standard TROSY-based triple-resonance experiments (BMRB 52548).

Remineralization effect of Er;Cr:YSGG laser irradiation with or without acidulated phosphate fluoride application on deciduous teeth enamel surface with induced white spot lesion. An study.

Background: This study aims to assess the efficacy of Er; Cr: YSGG laser operating under sub-ablative settings for the remineralization of artificially induced white spot lesions on the enamel of primary teeth, both as a standalone treatment and in conjunction with 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel.

Material And Methods: Eighty primary posterior teeth were used to induce white spot lesions and were randomly divided into eight groups.

Comparison of causes of stillbirth and child deaths as determined by verbal autopsy and minimally invasive tissue sampling.

In resource-limited settings where vital registration and medical death certificates are unavailable or incomplete, verbal autopsy (VA) is often used to attribute causes of death (CoD) and prioritize resource allocation and interventions. We aimed to determine the CoD concordance between InterVA and CHAMPS's method. The causes of death (CoDs) of children <5 were determined by two methods using data from seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) enrolled in the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network.

A retrospective study of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Iraq.

Background: CCHF is transmitted via ticks biting and directly by contact with tissue or blood of infected patients or viremic animals. This study intends to determine the occurrence of CCHF in Iraq between 2015 and 2019.

Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study.

Pyrolyzed and unpyrolyzed residues enhance maize yield under varying rates of application and fertilization regimes.

Biochar is increasingly gaining popularity due to its extensive recommendation as a potential solution for addressing the concerns of food security and climate change in agroecosystems, with biochar application for increased carbon sequestration, enhanced soil fertility, improved soil health, and increased crop yield and quality. There have been multiple studies on crop yield utilizing various biochar types and application amounts; however, none have focused on the influence of diverse biochar types at various pyrolysis temperatures with different application amounts and the integration of fertilizer regimes in maize crops. Therefore, a two-year factorial field experiment was designed in a temperate Himalayan region of India (THRI) to evaluate the residual effect of different biochar on maize yield under different pyrolysis temperatures, various application rates and fertilizer regimes.

The Telehealth chain: a framework for secure and transparent telemedicine transactions on the blockchain.

Background: Blockchain technology provides a secure and decentralized platform for storing and transferring sensitive medical data, which can be utilized to enable remote medical consultations.

Aim: A theoretical framework for creating a blockchain-based digital system created to facilitate telemedicine system.

Results: This paper proposes a theoretical framework based on Hyperledger fabric for creating a blockchain-based digital entity to facilitate telemedicine services.

Practical applications of teledentistry during the Covid-19 pandemic in ASEAN member states - a systematic review.

Objective: The objective of this review is to determine the utilisation and adoption of teledentistry based solutions and technologies during the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Asean region.

Background: Teledentistry is a branch of telemedicine that has rapidly advanced in the last few years and has the potential to provide solutions to oral health problems of patients and locations that do not have prompt and immediate access to a dentist or dental services. The Covid-19 has increased the adaption of all digital health technologies and teledentistry is no exception.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Salmonella typhi infection in Iraq, 2019-2021.

Introduction: Salmonella typhi could infect the intestinal tract and the bloodstream or invade body organs and secrete endotoxins. It is endemic in developing countries. It is increasingly evolving antimicrobial resistance to several commonly used antimicrobial agents.

Retraction: Colloid Cyst: A Potentially Life-Threatening Etiology of Severe Headache in a Patient With Migraine.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18424.

Flavor profiling and gene expression studies of indigenous aromatic rice variety (Mushk Budiji) grown at different altitudes of Highland Himalayan regions.

Mushk Budiji-an indigenous aromatic rice variety is usually grown at an altitude ranging from 5000 to 7000 ft above mean sea level in Highland Himalayas. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of altitude, soil nitrogen content and climatic conditions (temperature) of the selected locations on the flavor profile of Mushk Budiji using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and electronic nose (E-nose). E-nose being rapid and non-destructive method was used to validate the results of volatile aromatic compounds obtained using GC-MS in Mushk Budiji.

miR-136-5p: A key player in human cancers with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications.

MiRNAs have emerged as crucial modulators of the expression of their target genes, attracting significant attention due to their engagement in various cellular processes, like cancer onset and development. Amidst the extensive repertoire of miRNAs implicated in cancer, miR-136-5p has emerged as an emerging miRNA with diverse roles. Dysregulation of miR-136-5p has been proved in human cancers.

New-onset severe eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis following the third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: A case report.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a complex multifactorial disease that results in multisystemic inflammation of the small- and medium-sized arteries. The exact pathogenesis of this syndrome is poorly understood, but it is postulated to result from a combination of eosinophilic dysfunction, genetic predisposition, and the development of autoantibodies after exposure to an unknown stimulus. We describe a case of new-onset EGPA following the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine in an infection-naive middle-aged man with a background history of allergic respiratory symptoms.

A study of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity in Duhok City, Iraq.

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the positivity rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and associated factors.

Methodology: Data and blood samples were collected between January 10th and December 30th, 2021 based on COVID-19 infection by using a designated questionnaire. The blood samples were used for the detection of total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Quality of Life in Children and Young People With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia-UK Nationwide Multicenter Assessment.

Context: Quality of life (QoL) has been inconsistently reported in children and young people (CYP) with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Objective: Assess QoL in CYP with CAH in the UK alongside biometric and androgen profiles.

Design: To define the evidence base for health care delivery, we conducted a cross-sectional study in CYP with CAH in the UK.

Breaking Down Barriers and Paving the Way for Blockchain Adoption in Dentistry.

Blockchain technology can potentially transform the dentistry sector by facilitating safe communication between dental practitioners and offering secure and efficient administration of patient information. Nevertheless, using this technology in dentistry confronts various barriers, including regulatory and legal obstacles, a lack of technical skills, and a lack of standardization. To overcome these challenges, dental practitioners, industry stakeholders, and regulators must work together to develop a legislative framework that encourages the use of blockchain technology in dentistry.

Soil organic carbon pools and carbon management index under different land use systems in North western Himalayas.

Current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of important land uses and soil depth on soil organic carbon pools viz. total organic carbon, Walkley and black carbon, labile organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and carbon management index (CMI) in the north Western Himalayas, India. Soil samples from five different land uses viz.

Efficacy and safety of mRNA and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A systematic review.

Background: Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) are at a potentially higher risk for COVID-19 infection complications. Given their inherent altered immune system and the use of immunomodulatory medications, vaccine immunogenicity could be unpredictable with a suboptimal or even an exaggerated immunological response. The aim of this study is to provide real-time data on the emerging evidence of COVID-19 vaccines' efficacy and safety in patients with ARDs.