Young men who have sex with men and digital technologies for HIV prevention and care: qualitative findings from the conectad@s study.

Young men who have sex with men in Brazil face vulnerability to HIV and display lower PrEP uptake and adherence. Understanding their engagement with digital technologies can better inform mobile health (mHealth) strategies for HIV prevention and care. As part of the Conectad@s study, a HIV status-neutral prevention and care intervention for young men who have sex with men, we conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 38 participants between January-February 2021.

Correction: Large-scale population disappearances and cycling in the white-lipped peccary, a tropical forest mammal.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Case Report: Molecular Analyses of Cell-Cycle-Related Genes in Cortical Brain Tissue of a Patient with Rasmussen Encephalitis.

Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) stands as a rare neurological disorder marked by progressive cerebral hemiatrophy and epilepsy resistant to medical treatment. Despite extensive study, the primary cause of RE remains elusive, while its histopathological features encompass cortical inflammation, neuronal degeneration, and gliosis. The underlying molecular mechanisms driving disease progression remain largely unexplored.

A mimetic peptide of ACE2 protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection and decreases pulmonary inflammation related to COVID-19.

Since human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as a primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2, characterizing ACE2 regions that allow SARS-CoV-2 to enter human cells is essential for designing peptide-based antiviral blockers and elucidating the pathogenesis of the virus. We identified and synthesized a 25-mer mimetic peptide (encompassing positions 22-46 of the ACE2 alpha-helix α1) implicated in the S1 receptor-binding domain (RBD)-ACE2 interface. The mimetic (wild-type, WT) ACE2 peptide significantly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection of human pulmonary Calu-3 cells in vitro.

Neuro-Immunomodulatory Potential of Nanoenabled 4D Bioprinted Microtissue for Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Cartilage defects trigger post-traumatic inflammation, leading to a catabolic metabolism in chondrocytes and exacerbating cartilage degradation. Current treatments aim to relieve pain but fail to target the inflammatory process underlying osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Here, a human cartilage microtissue (HCM) nanoenabled with ibuprofen-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (ibu-PLGA NPs) is 4D-bioprinted to locally mitigate inflammation and impair nerve sprouting.

ANN-Based LiDAR Positioning System for B5G.

This work reports the development of an efficient and precise indoor positioning system utilizing two-dimensional (2D) light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology, aiming to address the challenging sensing and positioning requirements of the beyond fifth-generation (B5G) mobile networks. The core of this work is the implementation of a 2D-LiDAR system enhanced by an artificial neural network (ANN), chosen due to its robustness against electromagnetic interference and higher accuracy over traditional radiofrequency signal-based methods. The proposed system uses 2D-LiDAR sensors for data acquisition and digital filters for signal improvement.

Valsalva Retinopathy Presenting as Subretinal Hemorrhage.

Purpose: To describe a case of subretinal hemorrhage due to the Valsalva maneuver in a patient with no underlying chorioretinal disease.

Methods: History and clinical examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein, and indocyanine green angiography.

Results: We report a case of a 35-year-old man with a 4-day history of central vision loss in the left eye (OS) after a vomiting episode.

Nonlinear EEG Analysis During Motor and Cognitive Tasks in Patients With Long COVID: A Dynamic Systems Approach.

Nonlinear EEG provides information about dynamic properties of the brain. This study aimed to compare nonlinear EEG parameters estimated from patients with Long COVID in different cognitive and motor tasks. This 12-month prospective cohort study included 83 patients with Long COVID: 53 symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic.

Pathways and identity: toward qualitative research careers in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Objective: Qualitative research methods are based on the analysis of words rather than numbers; they encourage self-reflection on the investigator's part; they are attuned to social interaction and nuance; and they incorporate their subjects' thoughts and feelings as primary sources. Despite appearing well suited for research in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP), qualitative methods have had relatively minor uptake in the discipline. We conducted a qualitative study of CAPs involved in qualitative research to learn about these investigators' lived experiences, and to identify modifiable factors to promote qualitative methods within the field of youth mental health.

Transforming the Niche: The Emerging Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Progression.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) management remains a significant challenge in oncology due to its low survival rates and high post-treatment relapse rates, mainly attributed to treatment-resistant leukaemic stem cells (LSCs) residing in bone marrow (BM) niches. This review offers an in-depth analysis of AML progression, highlighting the pivotal role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the dynamic remodelling of BM niche intercellular communication. We explore recent advancements elucidating the mechanisms through which EVs facilitate complex crosstalk, effectively promoting AML hallmarks and drug resistance.

Short-term predictors of stereotactic radiosurgery outcome for untreated single non-small cell lung cancer brain metastases: a restrospective cohort study.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an option for brain metastases (BM) not eligible for surgical resection, however, predictors of SRS outcomes are poorly known. The aim of this study is to investigate predictors of SRS outcome in patients with BM secondary to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The secondary objective is to analyze the value of volumetric criteria in identifying BM progression.

The effect of low dose intra-articular S(+) ketamine on osteoarthritis in rats: an experimental study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the analgesic impact of S(+)-ketamine on pain behavior and synovial inflammation in an osteoarthritis (OA) model.

Methods: Animals were grouped as follows: OA-Saline (n = 24) and OA-Ketamine (n = 24), OA induced via intra-articular sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA); a Non-OA group (n = 24) served as the control. On the 7 day post OA induction, animals received either saline or S(+)-ketamine (0.

One-Pot Microfluidics to Engineer Chitosan Nanoparticles Conjugated with Antimicrobial Peptides Using "Photoclick" Chemistry: Validation Using the Gastric Bacterium .

Surface bioconjugation of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) onto nanoparticles (AMP-NP) is a complex, multistep, and time-consuming task. Herein, a microfluidic system for the one-pot production of AMP-NP was developed. Norbornene-modified chitosan was used for NP production (NorChit-NP), and thiolated-AMP was grafted on their surface via thiol-norbornene "photoclick" chemistry over exposure of two parallel UV LEDs.

Recurrence of membranous nephropathy after kidney transplantation: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a leading cause of kidney failure worldwide and frequently recurs after transplant. Available data originated from small retrospective cohort studies or registry analyses; therefore, uncertainties remain on risk factors for MN recurrence and response to therapy. Within the Post-Transplant Glomerular Disease Consortium, we conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study examining the MN recurrence rate, risk factors, and response to treatment.

Performance Comparison of Meta-Heuristics Applied to Optimal Signal Design for Parameter Identification.

This paper presents a comparative study that explores the performance of various meta-heuristics employed for Optimal Signal Design, specifically focusing on estimating parameters in nonlinear systems. The study introduces the Robust Sub-Optimal Excitation Signal Generation and Optimal Parameter Estimation (rSOESGOPE) methodology, which is originally derived from the well-known Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Through a real-life case study involving an Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) equipped with three Degrees of Freedom (DoFs) and an aerial holonomic propulsion system, the effectiveness of different meta-heuristics is thoroughly evaluated.

Involved-Field Radiation Therapy for Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas: Failure Pattern Analysis.

Introduction Unresectable pancreatic tumors are frequently diagnosed. Initial treatment is carried out with chemotherapy. Eventually, in selected cases, radiotherapy may be used to improve local control rates and relieve the symptoms.

Development and adaptations of the Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) scale: a systematic review.

The Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) score has the best accuracy among prognostic scales for patients with brain metastases (BM). A wide range of GPA-derived scales have been established to different types of primary tumor BM. However, there is a high variability between them, and their characteristics have not been described altogether yet.

Geriatric Assessment of Older Adults With Cancer During Acute Hospitalizations: Challenges and Opportunities.

Introduction Geriatrics is a discipline that covers all adult healthcare, and oncology is no exception. The global geriatric assessment process plays a crucial role, impacting research, funding, resource allocation, as well as therapeutic decision-making. Thus, greater knowledge of the epidemiology of the frailty and functionality of elderly patients with cancer will allow for the development of a global care strategy.

Bridging the Gaps: Investigating the Complex Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Records in Brazil.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the temporal evolution, spatial distribution, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis records in a northeastern state of Brazil.

Methods: This is an ecological study involving all diagnoses of Tuberculosis (TB) in residents of the state of Pernambuco/Brazil. Data were extracted from the National System of Notifiable Diseases.