Prevalence of breakthrough COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers in Baghdad.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of breakthrough coronavirus disease-2019 infection among health workers, and to assess health workers' post-vaccination adherence to preventive guidelines.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 at 2 major hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, and comprised physicians, pharmacists, dentists and paramedical staff present at time of data collection. The participants were classified according to vaccination status with history of infection.

Formulation and Characterization of Intranasal Drug Delivery of Frovatriptan-Loaded Binary Ethosomes Gel for Brain Targeting.

Background: Frovatriptan succinate (FVT) is an effective medication used to treat migraines; however, available oral formulations suffer from low permeability; accordingly, several formulations of FVT were prepared.

Objective: Prepare, optimize, and evaluate FVT-BE formulation to develop enhanced intranasal binary nano-ethosome gel.‎.

Risk Factors for Extubation Failure After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Impact on Outcomes: A Multicenter Analysis.

Importance: Extubation failure (EF) after pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: We sought to describe the risk factors associated with early (< 48 hr) and late (48 hr ≤ 168 hr) EF after pediatric cardiac surgery and the clinical implications of these two types of EF.

Design Setting And Participants: Retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected clinical data for the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium (PC4) Registry.

Bivalirudin or heparin for systemic anticoagulation during pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of unfractionated heparin (UFH) compared to bivalirudin anticoagulation in pediatric ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study, that included pediatric patients <18 years of age, who were supported on ECMO between June 2017 and May 2020. Patients treated with UFH were matched 2:1 by age and type of ECMO support to the bivalirudin group.

Analysis of Wholesale Drug Acquisition and Laboratory Assessment Costs Between Heparin Compared With Bivalirudin-Based Systemic Anticoagulation Strategies in Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: To assess the wholistic costs of systemic anticoagulation delivery in heparin versus bivalirudin-based maintenance of adult patients supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Design: Single-center retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Large academic ECMO center.

Complementary and alternative medicine for children with sickle cell disease: A systematic review.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a popular alternative to opioid and other analgesics in sickle cell disease (SCD). We review the effectiveness, prevalence, and factors associated with CAM use in the pediatric SCD population.

Methods: The review protocol was created based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Outcomes of complete surgical repair versus palliative intervention in neonates with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Using the US National Inpatient Sample dataset (2010 to 2018), we compared outcomes of neonates with Tetralogy of Fallot who had early primary surgical repair (1726 neonate) and those who had staged palliative intervention with transcatheter (1702 neonate) or surgical palliative shunt (2661 neonate).

Evaluation of Bivalirudin Dosing in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation with Renal Insufficiency or Renal Replacement Therapy.

Bivalirudin offers several important advantages of relevance to the management of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients. This multicenter retrospective analysis evaluated the bivalirudin dosing in pediatric ECMO and correlated these doses with the severity of renal dysfunction. A total of 75 patients were included in this analyses: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 ml/min/1.

ZnO Nanoparticles-Modified Dressings to Inhibit Wound Pathogens.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated for various skin therapies in recent years. These NPs can improve the healing and modulate inflammation in the wounds, but the mechanisms involved in such changes are yet to be known. In this study, we have designed a facile ZnO nano-coated dressing with improved antimicrobial efficiency against typical wound pathogens involved in biofilm and chronic infections.

Eugenol-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles Modulate Virulence and Persistence in Clinical Strains.

Efficient antibiotics to cure persistent infections are currently insufficient and alternative options are needed. A promising lead is to design therapeutics able to modulate key phenotypes in microbial virulence and thus control the progression of the infectious process without selecting resistant mutants. In this study, we developed a nanostructured system based on FeO nanoparticles (NPs) and eugenol, a natural plant-compound which has been previously shown to interfere with microbial virulence when utilized in subinhibitory concentrations.

Survival outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in pediatric patients in the USA.

We report on in-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in the USA. The data were obtained from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample datasets for the years 2000-2017, which includes data from participating hospitals in 47 US states and the District of Columbia. We included pediatric patients (< 18 years of age) with cardiac arrest, and we excluded patients with no cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the hospitalization.

Recognizing African-American contributions to neurology: The role of Solomon Carter Fuller (1872-1953) in Alzheimer's disease research.

Solomon Carter Fuller (1872-1953) is widely acknowledged as the first African-American psychiatrist but underappreciated as a pioneer of Alzheimer's disease. He immigrated to the United States from Liberia at age 17 and excelled in his medical career to become associate professor of both pathology and neurology at Boston University by 1921. He was one of five research assistants selected by Alois Alzheimer to work in his laboratory at the Royal Psychiatric Hospital in Munich, an experience that arguably paved the way for trailblazing research in Alzheimer's disease.

Newcastle disease virus suppress glycolysis pathway and induce breast cancer cells death.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) can modulate cancer cell signaling pathway and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Cancer cells increase their glycolysis rates to meet the energy demands for their survival and generate ATP as the primary energy source for cell growth and proliferation. Interfering the glycolysis pathway may be a valuable antitumor strategy.

Hexokinase inhibition using D-Mannoheptulose enhances oncolytic newcastle disease virus-mediated killing of breast cancer cells.

Background: Most cancer cells exhibit increased glycolysis and use this metabolic pathway cell growth and proliferation. Targeting cancer cells' metabolism is a promising strategy in inhibiting cancer cell progression. We used D-Mannoheptulose, a specific hexokinase inhibitor, to inhibit glycolysis to enhance the Newcastle disease virus anti-tumor effect.

Outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair and predictors of mortality.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify patient and hospitalization characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality in infants with truncus arteriosus.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a large administrative database, the National Inpatient Sample data set of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for the years 2002 to 2017. We also sought to evaluate the resource utilization in the subgroup of subjects with truncus arteriosus and 22q11.

Impact of ventricular arrhythmias on outcomes in children with myocarditis.

Children affected with acute myocarditis may progress rapidly into profound ventricular dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of ventricular arrhythmias on in-hospital mortality and the use of mechanical circulatory support in patients with myocarditis. Pediatric patients (age 0-18 years) admitted with myocarditis were identified from the National Inpatient Sample dataset for the years 2002-2015.

Evaluation of Bivalirudin As an Alternative to Heparin for Systemic Anticoagulation in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objectives: Heparin is the universal anticoagulant for patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. However, heparin has many disadvantages, especially in young children, who develop heparin resistance. Recently our center has used bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, for systemic anticoagulation in pediatric extracorporeal life support.

Clinical Outcomes and Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in Neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

The objective of this study was to identify patient and hospitalization characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We conducted a retrospective analysis of a large administrative database, the National Inpatient Sample dataset of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for the years 2002-2016. Neonates with HLHS were identified by ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.

Outcomes of hypoplastic left heart syndrome: analysis of National Inpatient Sample Database 1998-2004 versus 2005-2014.

Neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) were identified from the National Inpatient Sample dataset for the years 1998-2014. These patients were stratified into two chronological groups, past group (1998-2005) and recent group (2006-2014). A total of 20,649 neonates with HLHS were identified.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Balloon Atrial Septostomy in Neonates With Transposition of Great Arteries.

Objectives: Transposition of the great arteries is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect. Surgical correction usually occurs in the first week of life; presence of restrictive interatrial communication and severe hypoxemia warrants urgent intervention with balloon atrial septostomy and medical stabilization prior to surgery. The main objective of this study is to compare the characteristics, outcomes, and mortality risks in patients with transposition of the great arteries who underwent balloon atrial septostomy during their hospitalization versus transposition of the great arteries patients who have not undergone this procedure.

Bivalirudin Anticoagulation for an Infant with Hyperbilirubinemia and Elevated Plasma-Free Hemoglobin on ECMO.

Heparin has been used for decades as an anticoagulant in patients on mechanical circulatory support, which includes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices. Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor that can be used as an alternative anticoagulant in neonates and infants demonstrating inaccurate heparin monitoring. We report a case of a 2-month-old male child who was placed on ECMO for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.