Lower Cranial Nerves in the Neck: An Anatomical Study.

Objectives The aim of this anatomical study was to analyze distances and anatomical relations between the lower cranial nerves and important neck landmarks. Methods Anatomical study based on neck dissection in Thiel-embalmed cadavers. Anatomical relations and distances between the vagus (X), accessory (XI), and hypoglossal (XII) nerves and important neck landmarks were registered and compared.

Audit of a Novel Nurse-Led Program for Non-Antibiotic Management of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis.

Background: Non-antibiotic outpatient treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is safe; however, uptake remains low.

Objective: To assess the success of non-antibiotic management of uncomplicated diverticulitis through a nurse clinician-led outpatient program.

Design: Retrospective audit from June 2022-March 2024.

What will it take? Perspectives from five low- and middle-income countries on opportunities and challenges of introducing new maternal vaccines.

Background: New vaccines for pregnant women have recently been introduced in some high-income countries to protect infants in early life. Implementing maternal immunisation (MI) successfully in low- and middle-income countries will require planning and adaptations to immunisation and maternal health programs. To inform cost of MI delivery studies, we gathered perspectives from key stakeholders in five countries (Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Nepal) regarding health system requirements, opportunities, and challenges to introducing new maternal vaccines into routine health programs.

Vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus from Santiago Island, Cape Verde, to West Nile Virus: exploring the potential effect of the vector native Wolbachia.

Background: Culex quinquefasciatus plays a crucial role as a vector of West Nile virus (WNV). This mosquito species is widely distributed in Cape Verde, being found in all inhabited islands of the archipelago. However, no data are currently available on the susceptibility of the local mosquito population to WNV.

The status of insecticide resistance of Anopheles coluzzii on the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, after 20 years of malaria vector control.

Background: Insecticide-based malaria vector control has been implemented on the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) for more than 20 years. During this period malaria incidence was significantly reduced to pre-elimination levels. While cases remained low since 2015, these have significantly increased in the last year, challenging the commitment of the country to achieve malaria elimination by 2025.

Gathering information on maternal immunization readiness in Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Nepal: Applying a WHO checklist.

New respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) maternal vaccines have begun roll out in some countries, with efforts in progress to broaden access worldwide and shorten the timeline to access for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Prior to new maternal immunization (MI) introductions, countries will need to evaluate their capacity and readiness for successful introduction. The World Health Organization's Maternal Immunization and Antenatal Care Situation Analysis (MIACSA) project (2016-2019) developed a checklist for countries to self-evaluate their capacity to introduce new maternal vaccines.

A PopPBPK-RL approach for precision dosing of benazepril in renal impaired patients.

Current treatment recommendations mainly rely on rule-based protocols defined from evidence-based clinical guidelines, which are difficult to adapt for high-risk patients such as those with renal impairment. Consequently, unsuccessful therapies and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions are common. Within the context of personalized medicine, that tries to deliver the right treatment dose to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity, the concept of model-informed precision dosing proposes the use of mechanistic models, like physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, to predict drug regimes outcomes.

Laryngeal dystonia and vocal tremor response to botulinum toxin injection.

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to compare laryngeal dystonia (LD) and vocal tremor's (VT) response to botulinum toxin injection.

Methods: Retrospective study including every patient with LD or VT injected with botulinum toxin guided by electromyography, from January 1, 2010, to September 30, 2022, at a tertiary hospital centre. Improvement was assessed with the VHI-10, grade of dysphonia in a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10), GRBAS(I) scale (0-3) and maximum phonation time (MPT).

Immunoinformatic predictions and characterization of Schistosoma mansoni peptides as candidates for immunodiagnostic.

Schistosoma mansoni represents a significant etiological agent of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease with a global distribution. Although the Kato-Katz technique is an effective diagnostic tool in areas with a high prevalence of the disease, it lacks sensitivity in regions with lower prevalence. The objective of this study was to identify and validate novel immunogenic peptide targets derived from the S.

Using artificial intelligence to prioritize pathology samples: report of a test drive.

The digital transformation of pathology, through automation and computational tools, addresses current challenges in the field. This study evaluates Paige Pan Cancer, a novel artificial intelligence tool based on the Virchow foundation model, designed to flag invasive cancer in haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from 16 primary tissue types. Using 62 cases from the Ipatimup Pathology Laboratory, we found the tool had a sensitivity of 93.

Bridging knowledge gaps: impact of remedial classes on first-year medical students in biochemistry - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Remedial teaching is a tailored educational approach dedicated to enhancing the academic performance of students facing challenges within the curriculum. By identifying and addressing specific learning difficulties, it provides essential support and guidance to bring students closer to expected standards while preventing future setbacks. We hypothesize that underperforming medical students who receive daily, tailored remediation will demonstrate significant improvement in their formative and summative assessment scores in biochemistry.

Anesthesia management for total robotic liver transplantation: Inaugural case series in Europe.

Robotic liver transplantation represents a cutting-edge technique that may surpass traditional open surgery. Nonetheless, it introduces unique anesthetic challenges, including extended pneumoperitoneum, restricted patient access, and a risk of undetected blood loss. This article describes an anesthetic approach and patient outcomes for the first four total robotic liver transplants performed at a tertiary university hospital in Portugal, along with inaugural procedures of their kind in Europe.

Implications of crystal disorder on the solid-state stability of olanzapine.

Mechanical perturbations of drug during solid pharmaceutical processing like milling can often generate crystal disorder posing serious implications to drug's stability. While physical changes like amorphization, recrystallization, polymorphism of the disordered drugs are extensively studied and reported in the literature, the propensities and inter-dependencies of recrystallization and degradation of disordered drugs have seldom received deep attention. Previous investigations from our lab have explored some of these interplays, aiming to develop predictive stability models.

Successful management of Stegasta bosqueella (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae) in peanut with an attract-and-kill strategy.

Background: Rednecked Peanutworm Stegasta bosqueella control is primarily achieved using broad spectrum insecticides targeting the larval stage. However, due to inconspicuous behavior and limited movement of the larvae within the peanut crop, foliar insecticides alone have been insufficient to reduce S. bosqueella populations.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Breast Cancer: Toward a Molecular Perspective Into Clinical Practice.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are at the forefront of cancer therapy, combining targeted precision with potent cytotoxicity. Conceived by Paul Ehrlich in the early 1900s, the concept of a magic bullet selectively eliminating cancer cells has evolved alongside bioengineering and cancer biology advancements. ADCs consist of a monoclonal antibody, linker, and cytotoxic payload, designed to target specific antigens on tumor cells while minimizing collateral damage.

Mismatch Negativity in Children with Deficits in Auditory Abilities.

 Mismatch negativity (MMN) represents a negative component of event-related potentials, which is mentioned by guidelines as an important tool to provide measurable data regarding the functionality of the auditory system in acoustic processing. However, the literature still lacks reliable data that can support the clinical use of this potential in the complementary diagnosis of central auditory processing (CAP) disorder (CAPD).  To analyze whether MMN assessment might be associated with the CAP behavioral test battery, as well as to assess the effects of auditory ability deficits on MMN responses in the pediatric population.

Mediterranean Diet-Based Sustainable Healthy Diet and Multicomponent Training Combined Intervention Effect on Body Composition, Anthropometry, and Physical Fitness in Healthy Aging.

Background: Diet and exercise interventions have been associated with improved body composition and physical fitness. However, evidence regarding their combined effects in older adults is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a combined 12-week Mediterranean diet-based sustainable healthy diet (SHD) and multicomponent training (MT) intervention on body composition, anthropometry, and physical fitness in older adults.

Vector Competence of from São Tomé and Príncipe for West Nile Virus Transmission.

The global distribution of mosquitoes, particularly in tropical regions, poses a significant public health risk due to their apparent ability to transmit arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV). This study aimed to evaluate the vector competence of from São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) for the transmission of the WNV PT6.39 strain, considering its potential role as a bridge vector in a region where would be the main vector.

Opt-out HIV screening in adults attending the Emergency Department of a London teaching hospital.

Background: Opt-out Emergency Department blood borne virus (EDBBV) screening was introduced at the Royal Free Hospital under the NHSEI (NHS England and NHS Improvement) programme to expand opt-out testing in local authority areas with high HIV prevalence. This initiative was part of the "Toward Zero" policy towards ending HIV transmission in England by 2030.

Methods: All patients attending the Royal Free Hospital Emergency Department (ED) aged 16 and over were screened for blood borne viruses (HIV/HBV/HCV) unless they opted out.

ATP-induced reconfiguration of the micro-viscoelasticity of cardiac and skeletal myosin solutions.

We study the high-frequency, micro-mechanical response of suspensions composed of cardiac and skeletal muscle myosin by optical trapping interferometry. We observe that in low ionic strength solutions, upon the addition of magnesium adenosine triphosphate (MgATP), myosin suspensions radically change their micro-mechanics properties, generating a viscoelastic fluid characterized by a complex modulus similar to a suspension of worm-like micelles. This transduction of energy, from chemical to mechanical, may be related to the relaxed states of myosin, which regulate muscle contractility and can be involved in the etiology of many myopathies.