Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular targets of erythrocyte invasion phenotype diversity in natural isolates from Cameroon.

Further understanding of the molecular mediators of alternative RBC invasion phenotypes in endemic malaria parasites will support malaria blood-stage vaccine or drug development. This study investigated the prevalence of sialic acid (SA)-dependent and SA-independent RBC invasion pathways in endemic parasites from Cameroon and compared the schizont stage transcriptomes in these two groups to uncover the wider repertoire of transcriptional variation associated with the use of alternative RBC invasion pathway phenotypes. A two-color flow cytometry-based invasion-inhibition assay against RBCs treated with neuraminidase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin and deep RNA sequencing of schizont stages harvested in the first replication cycle in culture were employed in this investigation.

Novel Donor-Acceptor Based 4-Nitrophenol Luminophores as a Yellow-Orange Fluorescent Material for Optoelectronic Applications.

A new category of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) luminophores, infused with varying amounts of Pyrene (Py), was synthesized using the standard solid-state reaction method to investigate novel luminophores that emit at longer wavelengths. Their optical and electrochemical properties were analyzed using fluorimetry and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The fluorescence spectrum of Py-doped 4-NP displayed a broad fluorescence band with a peak at 599 nm for a Py concentration of 1 × 10 mol, indicating exciplex formation between 4-NP and Py in the excited state.

Accessory Scrotum - Truly an Appendage?

Accessory scrotum is defined as extra scrotal tissue in the vicinity of the anatomically located normal scrotum. We report a case of 4-day full-term male neonate with a unilateral accessory scrotum. We have discussed clinical presentations and associated anomalies of an accessory scrotum thus guiding its evaluation and treatment.

Dynamic PET reveals compartmentalized brain and lung tissue antibiotic exposures of tuberculosis drugs.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death, but antibiotic treatments for tuberculous meningitis, the deadliest form of TB, are based on those developed for pulmonary TB and not optimized for brain penetration. Here, we perform first-in-human dynamic F-pretomanid positron emission tomography (PET) in eight human subjects to visualize F-pretomanid biodistribution as concentration-time exposures in multiple compartments (NCT05609552), demonstrating preferential brain versus lung tissue partitioning. Preferential, antibiotic-specific partitioning into brain or lung tissues of several antibiotics, active against multidrug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, are confirmed in experimentally-infected mice and rabbits, using dynamic PET with chemically identical antibiotic radioanalogs, and postmortem mass spectrometry measurements.

Rescue splenic artery embolization in an adult patient of sickle cell disease presented with acute splenic sequestration crisis.

Background: Splenic sequestration crisis is a potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease, mainly seen in young children. Only a few case series describe the acute splenic sequestration crisis in adults and its management, which primarily consists of supportive care and, in some cases, splenectomy. Splenic artery embolization has seldom been described in sickle cell disease.

Dynamic PET Reveals Compartmentalized Brain and Lung Tissue Antibiotic Exposures.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death, but antibiotic treatments for tuberculous meningitis, the deadliest form of TB, are based on those developed for pulmonary TB and not optimized for brain penetration. Here, we performed first-in-human dynamic F-pretomanid positron emission tomography (PET) studies in eight human subjects for three-dimensional, multi-compartmental visualization of antibiotic concentration-time exposures (area under the curve - AUC), demonstrating preferential brain (AUC 2.25) versus lung (AUC 0.

Risk factors associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: an N3C and NIH RECOVER study.

Background: More than one-third of individuals experience post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC, which includes long-COVID). The objective is to identify risk factors associated with PASC/long-COVID diagnosis.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study including 31 health systems in the United States from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C).

Clinical handover communication at maternity shift changes and women's safety in Banjul, the Gambia: a mixed-methods study.

Background: Clinical handover is a vital communication process for patient safety; transferring patient responsibility between healthcare professionals (HCPs). Exploring handover processes in maternity care is fundamental for service quality, addressing continuity of care and maternal mortality.

Methods: This mixed-methods study was conducted in all three maternity hospitals in Banjul, The Gambia.

Risk Factors Associated with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in an EHR Cohort: A National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) Analysis as part of the NIH RECOVER program.

Background: More than one-third of individuals experience post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC, which includes long-COVID).

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with PASC/long-COVID.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Antegrade Stent Placement in Patients with Failed ERCP as a Modality of Preoperative and Palliative Biliary Drainage.

Background: No large studies have addressed the role of endoscopic-ultrasound biliary drainage (EUS-BD) as preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) for malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction (MEBO). We aimed to discuss the outcomes of EUS antegrade stent placement (EUS-AG) in the preoperative and palliative setting.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients who underwent EUS-AG for MEBO between December 2019 and December 2021 was done.

EUS-guided biliary drainage in patients with moderate-severe cholangitis is safe and effective: a multi-center experience.

Background: Patients with moderate-severe cholangitis require urgent/early biliary drainage and failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) warrants use of percutaneous drainage. While endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has evolved as an effective salvage modality but its safety and efficacy data in moderate-severe cholangitis are limited.

Patients And Methods: All consecutive moderate-severe cholangitis patients, with failed/technically non-feasible ERCP requiring EUS-BD in two tertiary care centers were included.

Plasmodium falciparum merozoite invasion ligands, linked antimalarial resistance loci and ex vivo responses to antimalarials in The Gambia.

Background: Artemether/lumefantrine is the most commonly used artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT) for malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Drug resistance to ACT components is a major threat to malaria elimination efforts. Therefore, rigorous monitoring of drug efficacy is required for adequate management of malaria and to sustain the effectiveness of ACTs.

Acetic Acid-Catalyzed Regioselective C(sp)-H Bond Functionalization of Indolizines: Concomitant Involvement of Synthetic and Theoretical Studies.

An atom economical and environmentally benign protocol has been developed for the regioselective C(sp)-H bond functionalization of indolizines. The acetic acid-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction proceeds under metal-free conditions, producing a wide range of synthetically useful indolizine derivatives. The present protocol showed good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope in good to excellent yields.

Erratum: Prior upregulation of interferon pathways in the nasopharynx impacts viral shedding following live attenuated influenza vaccine challenge in children.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.

Prior upregulation of interferon pathways in the nasopharynx impacts viral shedding following live attenuated influenza vaccine challenge in children.

In children lacking influenza-specific adaptive immunity, upper respiratory tract innate immune responses may influence viral replication and disease outcome. We use trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) as a surrogate challenge model in children aged 24-59 months to identify pre-infection mucosal transcriptomic signatures associated with subsequent viral shedding. Upregulation of interferon signaling pathways prior to LAIV is significantly associated with lower strain-specific viral loads (VLs) at days 2 and 7.

Physicochemical and functional characterization of MYL-1501D, a proposed biosimilar to insulin glargine.

Insulin glargine is a long-acting analogue of human insulin that has been used to manage hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) for nearly 20 years. Insulin glargine has a relatively constant concentration-time profile that mimics basal levels of insulin and allows for once-daily administration. MYL-1501D is a biosimilar insulin glargine designed to offer greater access of insulin glargine to patients, with comparable efficacy and safety to the marketed reference product.

Novel Donor-Acceptor Based 2-Naphthol Luminophors as Hole-Transporting Materials for Optoelectronics.

Pyrene-perylene (Py-Pery) doped 2-naphthol (2-NP) luminophors (Py-Pery/2-NP) were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method. Excitation energy transfer and electrical properties were studied by fluorimetry and cyclic voltametric (CV) analysis respectively.2-NP acts as an good light emitting matrix.

Eating disorders and the risk of developing cancer: a systematic review.

Purpose: Evidence concerning eating disorders as risk toward developing cancer is sparse. Energy restriction might be cancer protective, while malnutrition, vomiting, laxative and substance use might stimulate cancer development. We examined whether individuals with an eating disorder (not restricted to anorexia nervosa) had a different risk of developing cancer.

The content and completeness of women-held maternity documents before admission for labour: A mixed methods study in Banjul, The Gambia.

Background: Women-held maternity documents are well established for enabling continuity of maternity care worldwide, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending their use in effective decision-making. We aimed to assess the presence, content and completeness of women-held maternity documents at admission to hospitals in The Gambia, and investigate barriers and facilitators to their completion.

Methods: We interviewed 250 women on maternity wards of all 3 Banjul hospitals and conducted content analysis of documentation brought by women on admission for their completeness against WHO referrals criteria.