Building the capacity of young professionals in family planning to publish: Insights from the ICFP2022 WHO scientific writing, mentoring and coaching course.

Objectives: We describe the development, delivery, and evaluation of a program to support junior professionals to publish their work in a scientific journal.

Study Design: Conference delegates with an accepted abstract at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP), self-identifying as junior professionals and from a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) or working predominantly in LMIC settings, were eligible for the program. The program involved: (1) Four face-to-face workshops at ICFP from the 14th to 17th of November 2022; (2) mentoring meetings at ICFP; (3) a six-month post-conference online coaching program; and (4) post-conference learning webinars from December 2022 to May 2023.

High SAFE scores predict hepatocellular carcinoma in viral and non-viral hepatitis and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Background/aims: There are no hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance recommendations for non-viral chronic liver diseases (CLD), such as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We explored the Steatosis-Associated Fibrosis Estimator (SAFE) score to predict HCC in MASLD and other CLD etiologies.

Methods: Patients with various CLDs were included from medical centers in Taiwan.

Identification and Reconstitution of the First Two Enzymatic Steps for the Biosynthesis of Bioactive Meroterpenoids from (Lion's Mane Mushroom).

(Lion's Mane mushroom) is widely consumed for its numerous reported benefits for brain health. A growing body of evidence suggests that these benefits are likely attributable to aromatic compounds contained in its fruiting bodies, including the meroterpenoids hericenones. Here, we report the identification and reconstitution of the first two steps of the biosynthetic pathway of hericenones via heterologous expression of the polyketide synthase HerA and the carboxylic acid reductase HerB in .

Pilot Trial of a Speech-Language Pathology Telehealth Service to Enhance Postdischarge Dysphagia Care in Singapore.

Purpose: Patients and caregivers in Singapore experience issues managing dysphagia care at home following hospital discharge, and they prioritized improving access to postdischarge dysphagia care and support. Hence, a postdischarge dysphagia telehealth service was developed. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of this service by examining patient and service outcomes, preliminary costs, and consumer satisfaction.

Understanding Elderly Chinese Cancer Patients in a Multicultural Clinical Setting: Embracing Mortality and Addressing Misperceptions of Vulnerability.

Chinese patients face higher risks of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and greater cancer-related deaths than Canadian-born patients. The older population encounters barriers to quality healthcare, impacting their well-being and survival. Previous studies highlighted Chinese immigrant perceptions of not requiring healthcare support.

Using concept mapping to guide dysphagia service enhancements in Singapore: Recommendations from the speech-language pathology workforce.

Purpose: Optimising dysphagia service delivery is crucial to minimise personal and service impacts associated with dysphagia. However, limited data exist on how to achieve this in Singapore. This study aimed to develop prioritised enhancements that the speech-language pathology workforce perceived as needed to improve dysphagia services in Singapore.

Identifying prioritised actions for improving dysphagia services in Singapore: Insights from concept mapping with patients and caregivers.

Background: Person-centred services are inherently related to patients/caregivers' needs. However, the extent to which dysphagia services within Singapore meet consumer needs is largely unknown. Involving patients/caregivers in service evaluation/redesign deepens the understanding of consumer needs.

GP2-enriched pancreatic progenitors give rise to functional beta cells in vivo and eliminate the risk of teratoma formation.

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived pancreatic progenitors (PPs) can be differentiated into beta-like cells in vitro and in vivo and therefore have therapeutic potential for type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment. However, the purity of PPs varies across different hPSC lines, differentiation protocols, and laboratories. The uncommitted cells may give rise to non-pancreatic endodermal, mesodermal, or ectodermal derivatives in vivo, hampering the safety of hPSC-derived PPs for clinical applications and their differentiation efficiency in research settings.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT compared with positron emission tomography CT to characterise solitary pulmonary nodules: the SPUtNIk diagnostic accuracy study and economic modelling.

Background: Current pathways recommend positron emission tomography-computerised tomography for the characterisation of solitary pulmonary nodules. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computerised tomography may be a more cost-effective approach.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic performances of dynamic contrast-enhanced computerised tomography and positron emission tomography-computerised tomography in the NHS for solitary pulmonary nodules.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Prevents Free Fatty Acid-Induced Reduction in Glucose Tolerance by Decreasing Insulin Clearance.

The NAD-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 improves β cell function. Accordingly, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), the product of the rate-limiting step in NAD synthesis, prevents β cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet. The current study was performed to assess the effects of NMN on β cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance that are caused specifically by increased circulating free fatty acids (FFAs).

Comparative accuracy and cost-effectiveness of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and positron emission tomography in the characterisation of solitary pulmonary nodules.

Introduction: Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) and positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) have a high reported accuracy for the diagnosis of malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of these.

Methods: In this prospective multicentre trial, 380 participants with an SPN (8-30 mm) and no recent history of malignancy underwent DCE-CT and PET/CT.

Microvessels support engraftment and functionality of human islets and hESC-derived pancreatic progenitors in diabetes models.

Islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet the low donor pool, poor islet engraftment, and life-long immunosuppression prevent it from becoming the standard of care. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived pancreatic cells could eliminate donor shortages, but interventions to improve graft survival are needed. Here, we enhanced subcutaneous engraftment by employing a unique vascularization strategy based on ready-made microvessels (MVs) isolated from the adipose tissue.

Use of Chronic Prescription Medications and Prevalence of Polypharmacy in Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Background: As survivors of childhood cancer age, development of cancer treatment-related chronic health conditions often occur. This study aimed to describe the pattern of chronic prescription medication use and identify factors associated with polypharmacy among survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at the pediatric oncology long-term follow-up clinic in Hong Kong.

Vancomycin Prescribing Practices and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring for Critically Ill Neonatal and Pediatric Patients: A Survey of Physicians and Pharmacists in Hong Kong.

Deviations from the optimal vancomycin dosing may occur in the neonatal and pediatric population due to inconsistencies in the recommended dosing algorithms. This study aims to collect the expert opinions of clinicians who practice in the neonatal or pediatric intensive care units (NICU/PICUs) of 12 major medical centers in Hong Kong. This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study.

Sufu- and Spop-mediated downregulation of Hedgehog signaling promotes beta cell differentiation through organ-specific niche signals.

Human embryonic stem cell-derived beta cells offer a promising cell-based therapy for diabetes. However, efficient stem cell to beta cell differentiation has proven difficult, possibly due to the lack of cross-talk with the appropriate mesenchymal niche. To define organ-specific niche signals, we isolated pancreatic and gastrointestinal stromal cells, and analyzed their gene expression during development.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Cutaneous Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in a Patient With Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma.

Cutaneous manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven B-cell lymphoid proliferations occur rarely as a result of severe immunodeficiency. To date, only a few cases of extranodal EBV-associated B-cell lymphomas arising in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) have been reported, and less common is a cutaneous presentation. AITL is a rare aggressive tumor that carries a poor prognosis and prompt diagnosis, and recognition of EBV-associated diffuse B-cell lymphoma is essential in these patients to instigate the correct treatment.

Atypical severe progressive perioral ulceration due to herpes simplex virus on the background of undiagnosed HIV/AIDS.

Perioral ulcerative plaques have a broad list of differential diagnoses. We describe an unusual presentation of chronic progressive perioral ulceration due to herpes simplex type (HSV)-1 on a background of undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Whilst chronic mucocutaneous HSV is an AIDS-defining condition with both HSV-1 and HSV-2 implicated, typical reported cases describe vesicular eruptions rather than perioral ulcerative plaques.

Chronological Aging in African-American Skin: A Reliable Photonumeric Scale Demonstrates Age and Body Mass Index as Contributing Factors.

Background: Increased photoprotection by natural melanin allows for African-Americans to be less impacted by photoaging than Caucasians. However, less is known about chronological aging in this population.

Objective: To create a photonumeric scale for African-Americans to evaluate chronological skin aging and to explore contributing elements to intrinsic aging.

Effect of Age, Gender, and Sun Exposure on Ethnic Skin Photoaging: Evidence Gathered Using a New Photonumeric Scale.

Background: African-Americans are less affected by photoaging than lighter skin individuals. Although scales for photoaging have been developed for Caucasians and Asians, no scale exists for African-Americans.

Aim: To develop a photonumeric scale for photoaging and to determine factors that contribute to photoaging in African-Americans.

Plastic pollution in the Labrador Sea: An assessment using the seabird northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis as a biological monitoring species.

Plastic is now one among one of the most pervasive pollutants on the planet, and ocean circulation models predict that the Arctic will become another accumulation zone. As solutions to address marine plastic emerge, is essential that baselines are available to monitor progress towards targets. The northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), a widely-distributed seabird species, has been used as a biological monitor for plastic pollution in the North Sea, and could be a useful monitoring species elsewhere.

Dual-isotope subtraction SPECT-CT in parathyroid localization.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of locating parathyroid adenomas using dual-Isotope subtraction single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) in comparison with clinical follow-up and pathology findings from surgery.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective cohort study of dual-isotope subtraction SPECT-CT was carried out on 224 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. All the patients were injected with 20 MBq of iodine-123-iodide, followed 20 min later by 900 MBq of technetium-99m-sestamibi.