MYO7A is required for the functional integrity of the mechanoelectrical transduction complex in hair cells of the adult cochlea.

Myosin-VIIA (MYO7A) is an unconventional myosin responsible for syndromic (Usher 1B) or nonsyndromic forms of deafness in humans when mutated. In the cochlea, MYO7A is expressed in hair cells, where it is believed to act as the motor protein tensioning the mechanoelectrical transducer (MET) channels, thus setting their resting open probability (). However, direct evidence for this unique role for an unconventional myosin in mature hair cells is lacking.

Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 XBB.1.5-adapted vaccine against COVID-19 hospitalization related to the JN.1 variant in Europe: a test-negative case-control study using the id.DRIVE platform.

Background: Prior studies have reported lower effectiveness of XBB.1.5-adapted vaccines against hospitalization related to the Omicron JN.

Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner.

Preterm birth (delivery prior to 37 weeks) appears to be rising globally, increasing the risk of a myriad of down-stream disorders which affect families, their offspring and society, including increased morbidity, mortality and economic costs. Strategies for prevention of preterm birth have therefore become a priority among healthcare providers. One proposed strategy is increased consumption of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (from food or supplements) in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.

Enhanced MRI-based brain tumour classification with a novel Pix2pix generative adversarial network augmentation framework.

The scarcity of medical imaging datasets and privacy concerns pose significant challenges in artificial intelligence-based disease prediction. This poses major concerns to patient confidentiality as there are now tools capable of extracting patient information by merely analysing patient's imaging data. To address this, we propose the use of synthetic data generated by generative adversarial networks as a solution.

Comment on Fust et al. The Potential Economic Impact of the Updated COVID-19 mRNA Fall 2023 Vaccines in Japan. 2024, , 434.

We noted three key inconsistencies in the Moderna-funded cost-effectiveness analysis by Fust et al [...

Effect of microwave sintering on density, microstructural and magnetic properties of pure strontium hexaferrite at low temperatures and heating rate.

In recent decades, the rising demand for permanent magnetic materials has driven manufacturers to explore substitutes for rare earth elements in response to their fluctuating prices and negative environmental impact. M-type hexaferrites considered as good alternatives and studies have focused on enhancing their magnetic and structural properties through various approaches. In this study, new approach using low heating rate microwave sintering has been applied to investigate the changes on density, microstructure, and magnetic properties of strontium hexaferrite from core to surface.

POLD3 haploinsufficiency is linked to non-syndromic sensorineural adult-onset progressive hearing and balance impairments.

Hearing impairment (HI) is a significant health concern globally, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. We had identified a homozygous pathogenic variant in POLD3 in a Lebanese patient with an autosomal congenital recessive syndromic hearing loss (MIM#620869). This variant was found at heterozygous state in the parents, who developed progressive hearing impairment around age 40.

The upregulation of K and HCN channels in developing spiral ganglion neurons is mediated by cochlear inner hair cells.

Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are primary sensory afferent neurons that relay acoustic information from the cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) to the brainstem. The response properties of different SGNs diverge to represent a wide range of sound intensities in an action-potential code. This biophysical heterogeneity is established during pre-hearing stages of development, a time when IHCs fire spontaneous Ca action potentials that drive glutamate release from their ribbon synapses onto the SGN terminals.

Exploring the impact of early exposure and mentorship on the neurosurgery career aspirations of medical students in low- and middle-income countries.

Early exposure to neurosurgery has been shown to have a positive influence on students' perceptions and attitudes towards the field of neurosurgery. This review delves into the problems faced by the neurosurgery workforce in LMICs, highlighting the necessity for local and international collaborative strategies and plans to enhance the medical education curriculum, training, and retention of neurosurgeons in their home countries. Mentorship also emerges as a crucial factor in neurosurgical career progress, narrowing the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practical skills, and providing guidelines in career pathways.

Knowledge and perception of mHealth medication adherence applications among pharmacists and pharmacy students in Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The advances in digital health, including mobile healthcare (mHealth) medication adherence applications (MApps), have been demonstrated to support medication adherence and improve health outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and perception of the MApps among pharmacists and pharmacy students. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 223 pharmacists and pharmacy students in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia between 1st and 30th April 2023.

Defect Detection of GFRP Composites through Long Pulse Thermography Using an Uncooled Microbolometer Infrared Camera.

The detection of impact and depth defects in Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites has been extensively studied to develop effective, reliable, and cost-efficient assessment methods through various Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques. Challenges in detecting these defects arise from varying responses based on the geometrical shape, thickness, and defect types. Long Pulse Thermography (LPT), utilizing an uncooled microbolometer and a low-resolution infrared (IR) camera, presents a promising solution for detecting both depth and impact defects in GFRP materials with a single setup and minimal tools at an economical cost.

Enhancing Antibiotic Efficacy and Combating Biofilm Formation: Evaluating the Synergistic Potential of Essential Oil against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria remain a global public health issue due to the barrier imposed by their outer membrane and their propensity to form biofilms. It is becoming imperative to develop new antibacterial strategies. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of essential oil (OEO), alone and in combination with antibiotics, as well as its antibiofilm action against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative strains.

The evolution of nutritional care in preterm infants with a focus on the extreme preterm infant.

The evolution of nutritional care in preterm infants, particularly those classified as extremely preterm, has undergone significant advancements in recent years. These infants, born at less than 28 weeks of gestation, face unique challenges related to their elevated nutrient requirements, underdeveloped organ systems and minimal reserves, posing a need for timely and specialised nutritional strategies. Historically, the nutritional management of preterm infants focussed on short-term goals to promote survival.

Emotion brain network topology in healthy subjects following passive listening to different auditory stimuli.

A large body of research establishes the efficacy of musical intervention in many aspects of physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional rehabilitation. However, the underlying neural mechanisms for musical therapy remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the potential neural correlates of musical therapy, focusing on the changes in the topology of emotion brain network.

A Review of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment and the Potential Benefits of Stingless Bee Honey Supplementation.

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a common decline in cognitive abilities that occurs within 3 months after a stroke. During recovery, stroke survivors often experience varying degrees of cognitive decline, with some patients experiencing permanent cognitive deficits. Thus, it is crucial to prioritise recovery and rehabilitation after a stroke to promote optimal protection of and improvement in cognitive function.

A Comparative Analysis of the Novel Conditional Deep Convolutional Neural Network Model, Using Conditional Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network-Generated Synthetic and Augmented Brain Tumor Datasets for Image Classification.

Disease prediction is greatly challenged by the scarcity of datasets and privacy concerns associated with real medical data. An approach that stands out to circumvent this hurdle is the use of synthetic data generated using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). GANs can increase data volume while generating synthetic datasets that have no direct link to personal information.