Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Sputum Eosinophils Are Complementary Tools for Diagnosing Occupational Asthma.

Background: Exposure-related changes in exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils have not been thoroughly compared in the investigation of occupational asthma.

Objective: This study aimed at comparing the accuracies of the changes in FeNO concentrations and sputum eosinophil counts in identifying asthmatic reactions induced by occupational agents during specific inhalation challenges (SICs).

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 321 subjects who completed an assessment of FeNO and sputum eosinophils before and 24 h after SICs with various occupational agents, of whom 156 showed a positive result.

Joy and humanity in communication: A design-based research approach to developing and understanding the impact of a novel education programme on hospital staff, co-designed and facilitated by clown doctors.

Aim: Clown doctors have a unique skill set and role, particularly in paediatric settings. Yet, there is limited research on whether clown doctors themselves could play a role in sharing these skills with health professionals. Acknowledging uncertainty in what our intervention should be, we used a design-based research (DBR) approach with the aim of (i) shaping the educational design and content of communication skills-based workshops for clinicians and (ii) understanding the educational impact on participants.

Early antibody responses to lipid antigens in red deer infected with Mycobacterium bovis.

The Problem: Early and rapid diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis remains an issue of great interest.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of synthetic lipid antigens for diagnosis of tuberculosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus). The proposition: Synthetic mycolic acid derivatives, identical to components of mycobacterial cells, bind to antibodies to lipids produced in active human tuberculosis.

The genomes of Australian wild limes.

Australian wild limes occur in highly diverse range of environments and are a unique genetic resource within the genus Citrus. Here we compare the haplotype-resolved genome assemblies of six Australian native limes, including four new assemblies generated using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing data. The size of the genomes was between 315 and 391 Mb with contig N50s from 29.

Cytoplasmic genomes of Jasminum sambac reveal divergent sub-mitogenomic conformations and a large nuclear chloroplast-derived insertion.

Background: Jasminum sambac, a widely recognized ornamental plant prized for its aromatic blossoms, exhibits three flora phenotypes: single-petal ("SP"), double-petal ("DP"), and multi-petal ("MP"). The lack of detailed characterization and comparison of J. sambac mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) hinders the exploration of the genetic and structural diversity underlying the varying floral phenotypes in jasmine accessions.

Effective Inclusion of Electronic Polarization Improves the Description of Electrostatic Interactions: The prosECCo75 Biomolecular Force Field.

prosECCo75 is an optimized force field effectively incorporating electronic polarization via charge scaling. It aims to enhance the accuracy of nominally nonpolarizable molecular dynamics simulations for interactions in biologically relevant systems involving water, ions, proteins, lipids, and saccharides. Recognizing the inherent limitations of nonpolarizable force fields in precisely modeling electrostatic interactions essential for various biological processes, we mitigate these shortcomings by accounting for electronic polarizability in a physically rigorous mean-field way that does not add to computational costs.

Harnessing the Power of an Extensive EMS-Induced Sorghum Population for Rapid Crop Improvement.

Plant breeders leverage mutagenesis using chemical, biological, and physical mutagens to create novel trait variations. Many widely used sorghum genotypes have a narrow genetic base, which hinders improvements using classical breeding. Enhancing the diversity of the sorghum genome thus remains a key priority for sorghum breeders.

Congenital absence of touch does not preclude normal cognitive and socioemotional development.

Attachment theory holds that development of normal affective and social behavior requires physical contact between infant and caregiver. The elevation of touch to paramount importance has gone unchallenged because, prior to the present study, no individual with a congenital lack of somatosensation has been reported, much less studied for psychosocial development. Here we describe Kim, who since birth, has been unable to perceive touch, temperature changes, or pain on the body surface.

Revealing the Hidden Impacts: Insights into Biological Aging and Long-Term Effects in Pauci- and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Healthcare Workers.

This study explores the role of inflammation and oxidative stress, hallmarks of COVID-19, in accelerating cellular biological aging. We investigated early molecular markers-DNA methylation age (DNAmAge) and telomere length (TL)-in blood leukocytes, nasal cells (NCs), and induced sputum (IS) one year post-infection in pauci- and asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) infected during the first pandemic wave (February-May 2020), compared to COPD patients, model for "aged lung". Data from questionnaires, Work Ability Index (WAI), blood analyses, autonomic cardiac balance assessments, heart rate variability (HRV), and pulmonary function tests were collected.

Incidence and economics of transvenous ICD lead complications: Implications for tricuspid valve function and interventions.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are used globally and are reliable, but complications related to transvenous leads remain a concern. Evidence related to the incidence and costs of those complications is heterogeneous with respect to scope and healthcare system. This analysis aims to create estimates of the incidence and costs of tricuspid valve (TV) complications, lead failures, and lead extractions from a single large real-world data set.

The role of pathologists in the diagnosis of occupational lung diseases: an expert opinion of the European Society of Pathology Pulmonary Pathology Working Group.

Occupational lung/thoracic diseases are a major global public health issue. They comprise a diverse spectrum of health conditions with complex pathology, most of which arise following chronic heavy workplace exposures to various mineral dusts, metal fumes, or following inhaled organic particulate reactions. Many occupational lung diseases could become irreversible; thus accurate diagnosis is mandatory to minimize dust exposure and consequently reduce damage to the respiratory system.

The Effect of Long-Term Azithromycin on Objective and Subjective Cough in Chronic Respiratory Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials and Noncomparative Studies.

Introduction: Azithromycin is an effective treatment for various respiratory conditions but its effect on cough is poorly understood. We synthesised data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and noncomparative studies (NCT) examining its effect on objective and subjective cough.

Methods: After prospective registration on PROSPERO, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for both RCTs and NCT trials examining the effect azithromycin on cough in respiratory disease.

Machine learning of ECG waveforms and cardiac magnetic resonance for response and survival after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can lead to marked symptom reduction and improved survival in selected patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF); however, many candidates for CRT based on clinical guidelines do not have a favorable response. A better way to identify patients expected to benefit from CRT that applies machine learning to accessible and cost-effective diagnostic tools such as the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) could have a major impact on clinical care in HFrEF by helping providers personalize treatment strategies and avoid delays in initiation of other potentially beneficial treatments. This study addresses this need by demonstrating that a novel approach to ECG waveform analysis using functional principal component decomposition (FPCD) performs better than measures that require manual ECG analysis with the human eye and also at least as well as a previously validated but more expensive approach based on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Long term follow-up of heart rate variability in healthcare workers with mild COVID-19.

Introduction: Prior investigations into post-COVID dysautonomia often lacked control groups or compared affected individuals solely to healthy volunteers. In addition, no data on the follow-up of patients with SARS-CoV-2-related autonomic imbalance are available.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive clinical and functional follow-up on healthcare workers (HCWs) with former mild COVID-19 (group 1, n = 67), to delineate the trajectory of post-acute autonomic imbalance, we previously detected in a case-control study.

Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation in a Patient with a Transvenous Dual-chamber Pacemaker: Considerations for Diagnosis and Management.

Cardiac implantable electronic device leads can contribute to tricuspid regurgitation and also complicate surgical and transcatheter interventions to manage tricuspid regurgitation. Here we present a case of a patient with sinus node dysfunction and complete heart block who underwent extraction of a right ventricular pacing lead before tricuspid valve surgery. We review the data regarding the contribution of leads to tricuspid regurgitation and the benefits of lead extraction, risks of jailing leads during tricuspid interventions, and pacing considerations around tricuspid valve procedures.

Indications and Outcomes for Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation at a Military Referral Facility.

Introduction: Extracorporeal life support, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), is a potentially life-saving adjunct to therapy in patients experiencing pulmonary and/or cardiac failure. The U.S.

Identifying Features of a System of Practice to Inform a Contemporary Competency Framework for Paramedics in Canada.

Introduction: Paramedic practice is highly variable, occurs in diverse contexts, and involves the assessment and management of a range of presentations of varying acuity across the lifespan. As a result, attempts to define paramedic practice have been challenging and incomplete. This has led to inaccurate or under-representations of practice that can ultimately affect education, assessment, and the delivery of care.

The Tricuspid Valve: A Review of Pathology, Imaging, and Current Treatment Options: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Tricuspid valve disease is an often underrecognized clinical problem that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, patients will often present late in their disease course with severe right-sided heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and life-limiting symptoms that have few durable treatment options. Traditionally, the only treatment for tricuspid valve disease has been medical therapy or surgery; however, there have been increasing interest and success with the use of transcatheter tricuspid valve therapies over the past several years to treat patients with previously limited therapeutic options.