Rational construction of porous cobalt nanoparticle integrated nitrogen doped hollow carbon nanostructures for peptide agonist exendin-4 biosensing.

In this study, we designed a point-of-care (POC) testing electrochemical biosensor using an integrated biosensing assay based on hollow-like nitrogen-doped carbon nanostructures combined with cobalt nanoparticles (Co@HNCNs, CoO@HNCNs, and CoP@HNCNs). These are functionalized with Anti-Exendin-4 Antibodies (Anti-Ex-4-Abs) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) to create sensitive probes (Co@HNCNs/Anti-Ex-4-Abs/BSA, CoO@HNCNs/Anti-Ex-4-Abs/BSA, and CoP@HNCNs/Anti-Ex-4-Abs/BSA) for the ultrasensitive detection of exendin-4 (Ex-4), a peptide agonist used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Among the cobalt-based carbon nanostructures, the CoO@HNCNs/Anti-Ex-4-Abs/BSA nanoprobe demonstrated superior ability to specifically recognize Ex-4.

Thermal stability and coalescence dynamics of exsolved metal nanoparticles at charged perovskite surfaces.

Exsolution reactions enable the synthesis of oxide-supported metal nanoparticles, which are desirable as catalysts in green energy conversion technologies. It is crucial to precisely tailor the nanoparticle characteristics to optimize the catalysts' functionality, and to maintain the catalytic performance under operation conditions. We use chemical (co)-doping to modify the defect chemistry of exsolution-active perovskite oxides and examine its influence on the mass transfer kinetics of Ni dopants towards the oxide surface and on the subsequent coalescence behavior of the exsolved nanoparticles during a continuous thermal reduction treatment.

Surgical and/ or conservative treatment improves quality of life (EHP-30) in patients with endometriosis.

Aim: To investigate the quality of life of women with endometriosis before treatment and 3 months after the start of surgical and/or conservative treatment.

Sample And Methodology: The sample comprised of 38 patients, of whom 26 underwent surgical treatment, 6 had pharmacological treatment, and 6 had both surgical and pharmacological treatment. The Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) questionnaire in the Czech version and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) were used to assess quality of life.

Missed opportunities for guidance on sexually transmitted infection services: a global review of national HIV PrEP guidance.

Objectives: People who use or would benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV infection are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Integrating STI services when offering PrEP fosters synergies and efficiencies in response to HIV/STI and promotes people-centred care. Including guidance on STI interventions for people on PrEP may facilitate implementation and uptake.

Analytical applications of droplet deposition Raman spectroscopy.

The droplet deposition methods in Raman spectroscopy have received considerable attention in the field of analytical sensing focusing on effective pre-concentration of the studied analyte (coffee-ring effect or small spots). This review covers different analytical applications of drop-coating deposition Raman scattering (DCDRS) and droplet deposition surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Two main advantages of droplet deposition Raman techniques are considered: the drying-induced segregation of the components from the mixtures (such as body fluids) and the sensitivity of detection of various analytically important molecules.

Central African dwarf crocodiles found in syntopy are comparably divergent to South American dwarf caimans.

Recent molecular taxonomic advancements have expanded our understanding of crocodylian diversity, revealing the existence of previously overlooked species, including the Congo dwarf crocodile () in the central Congo Basin rainforests. This study explores the genomic divergence between and its better-known relative, the true dwarf crocodile (), shedding light on their evolutionary history. Field research conducted in the northwestern Republic of the Congo uncovered a locality where both species coexist in sympatry/syntopy.

Experiences of mpox illness and case management among cis and trans gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in England: a qualitative study.

Background: The 2022-2024 global mpox outbreak, occurring primarily in the sexual networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), has not been accompanied by a focus on patient perspectives of illness. We explore the experiences of GBMSM diagnosed with mpox in England to understand needs for social and clinical support.

Methods: In-depth interviews (March/July 2023) were conducted with 22 GBMSM diagnosed with mpox in 2022, randomly selected from a national mpox surveillance database, and 4 stakeholders from clinical/community-based organisations.

Gross morphology and adhesion-associated physical properties of Drosophila larval salivary gland glue secretion.

One of the major functions of the larval salivary glands (SGs) of many Drosophila species is to produce a massive secretion during puparium formation. This so-called proteinaceous glue is exocytosed into the centrally located lumen, and subsequently expectorated, serving as an adhesive to attach the puparial case to a solid substrate during metamorphosis. Although this was first described almost 70 years ago, a detailed description of the morphology and mechanical properties of the glue is largely missing.

Rapid and Universal Synthesis of 2D Transition Metal (Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W) Sulfides through Oxide Sulfurization in CS Vapor.

Transition metal (TM) sulfides belong to the class of 2D materials with a wide application range. Various methods, including solvothermal, hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition, and quartz ampoule-based approaches, have been employed for the synthesis of TM sulfides. Some of them face limitations due to the low stability of TM sulfides and their susceptibility to oxidation, and others require more sophisticated equipment or complex and rare precursors or are not scalable.

Tuberculosis Knowledge among Persons Living with HIV Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Lima, Peru.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV (PLWH). Limited TB knowledge has been associated with delayed TB diagnosis and low adherence to TB treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWH at the largest HIV-referral center in Lima, Peru, to describe TB knowledge among PLWH and potential associated sociodemographic factors.

Endemic parkinsonism: clusters, biology and clinical features.

The term 'endemic parkinsonism' refers to diseases that manifest with a dominant parkinsonian syndrome, which can be typical or atypical, and are present only in a particular geographically defined location or population. Ten phenotypes of endemic parkinsonism are currently known: three in the Western Pacific region; two in the Asian-Oceanic region; one in the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique; and four in Europe. Some of these disease entities seem to be disappearing over time and therefore are probably triggered by unique environmental factors.

Prenatal detection of copy number variants in fetuses with detected congenital devolpmental disordes, from 2015 to 2020 by Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification and microarray analysis.

Objective: Analysis of prenatal samples from 2015 to 2020. Comparison detection rates of clinically relevant variants by cytogenetic karyotype analysis and cytogenomic MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-Depent Probe Amplification) and microarray methods (CMA - chromosomal microarray).

Material And Method: 1,029 prenatal samples were analyzed by cytogenetic karyotyping (N = 1,029), cytogenomic methods - MLPA (N = 144) and CMA (N = 111).

Surveillance of Mpox Cases Attending Sexual Health Services in England (SOMASS): design, implementation and initial findings from the SOMASS data collection tool, 2022.

Objectives: We aimed to design and implement a data collection tool to support the 2022 mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, and to describe clinical and epidemiological data from individuals with mpox attending sexual health services (SHSs) in England.

Methods: The UK Health Security Agency and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV established the Surveillance of Mpox Cases Attending Sexual Health Services in England (SOMASS) system.Descriptive data were collected via a secure web-based data collection tool, completed by SHS clinicians following consultation with individuals with suspected mpox.

Advanced micro- & nanostructuring for enhanced biocompatibility of stainless steel by multi-beam and beamshaping technology.

Biocompatibility is one of the key issues for implants, especially in the case of stainless steel with medium to low biocompatibility, which may lead to a lack of osseointegration and consequently to implant failure or rejection. To precisely control preferential cell growth sites and, consequently, the biocompatibility of prosthetic devices, two types of surfaces were analyzed, containing periodic nanogrooves laser induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) and square-shaped micropillars. For the fast and efficient production of these surfaces, the unique combination of high energy ultrashort pulsed laser system with multi-beam and beamshaping technology was applied, resulting in increased productivity by 526% for micropillars and 14 570% for LIPSS compared to single beam methods.

Toward a New Era of SERS and TERS at the Nanometer Scale: From Fundamentals to Innovative Applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) have opened a variety of exciting research fields. However, although a vast number of applications have been proposed since the two techniques were first reported, none has been applied to real practical use. This calls for an update in the recent fundamental and application studies of SERS and TERS.

Emergence of extensively drug-resistant and multidrug-resistant Shigella flexneri serotype 2a associated with sexual transmission among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, in England: a descriptive epidemiological study.

Background: Shigellosis, also known as bacillary dysentery, is caused by Shigella spp that spread through fecal-oral contact and was traditionally associated with international travel in England. However, sexual transmission of Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is now common. In September, 2021, emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) S sonnei harbouring plasmid-encoded bla raised concerns over further spread of this extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing gene.

Karyotyping of Lymphocytes and Epithelial Cells of Distinct Embryonic Origin Does Not Help to Predict the Turner Syndrome Features.

Background: In Turner syndrome (TS), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) karyotyping offers an alternative to classical karyotyping.

Objective: We tested the added value of FISH karyotyping from lymphocytes (mesodermal origin), buccal cells (ectodermal origin), and a rear-tongue smear (endodermal origin) to determine the 45,X cell line fraction and its impact on patient phenotype.

Design And Patients: Classical karyotyping and three FISH assays were done in 153 girls and women previously diagnosed with TS in four university hospitals.

Epidemiology of Early Monkeypox Virus Transmission in Sexual Networks of Gay and Bisexual Men, England, 2022.

After community transmission of monkeypox virus was identified in Europe, interviews of 45 case-patients from England indicated transmission in international sexual networks of gay and bisexual men since April 2022. Interventions targeting sex-on-premises venues, geospatial dating applications, and sexual health services are likely to be critical for outbreak control.

Ovarian tumors and genetic predisposition.

Objective: Summary of knowledge in the field of ovarian cancer and genetic predisposition.

Results: Ovarian tumors are usually diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. The 5-year overall survival rate, regardless of the histopathological type of tumor, is around 44%.

Outbreak of sexually transmitted, extensively drug-resistant Shigella sonnei in the UK, 2021-22: a descriptive epidemiological study.

Background: Shigellosis, traditionally a foodborne and waterborne infection, causes substantial morbidity globally. It is now a leading cause of sexually transmitted gastroenteritis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). We describe an ongoing outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella sonnei in the UK.

Community transmission of monkeypox in the United Kingdom, April to May 2022.

Between 7 and 25 May, 86 monkeypox cases were confirmed in the United Kingdom (UK). Only one case is known to have travelled to a monkeypox virus (MPXV) endemic country. Seventy-nine cases with information were male and 66 reported being gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.

Detection of Unknown and Rare Pathogenic Variants in Antithrombin, Protein C and Protein S Deficiency Using High-Throughput Targeted Sequencing.

The deficiency of natural anticoagulants—antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), and protein S (PS)—is a highly predisposing factor for thrombosis, which is still underdiagnosed at the genetic level. We aimed to establish and evaluate an optimal diagnostic approach based on a high-throughput sequencing platform suitable for testing a small number of genes. A fast, flexible, and efficient method involving automated amplicon library preparation and target sequencing on the Ion Torrent platform was optimized.