Outcomes and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy as primary versus secondary procedure for kidney stones: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Currently, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold standard of treatment for large renal stones. The high prevalence of urolithiasis is associated with a high recurrence rate increasing the risk of re-intervention. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and complications of PCNL among patients with previous therapeutic interventions for renal stones.

Ultra-shallow p-type doping of silicon by performing atomic layer deposition of AlO thin films onto SiO/Si.

We report an ultra-shallow p-type doping of silicon resulting from the rapid thermal annealing of thin AlO films deposited on intrinsic silicon with a native SiO layer, using a common atomic layer deposition process. Characterization revealed a two-stage decrease in sheet resistance, providing insights into the doping mechanism.

Short-term effects of announcing spirometric lung-age on smokers' attitudes: results from a Tunisian real-life pilot study.

Background: To determine the effects of informing smokers of their spirometric lung-age (SLA) on smoking cessation (SC) rates and tobacco consumption.

Research Design And Methods: An interventional study was conducted in real-life through a humanitarian event led by the Red Crescent on 9 January 2022, in Hammam-Sousse (Sousse, Tunisia). The study comprised four steps: i) Medical questionnaire (general questionnaire, Fagerström test for cigarette dependence, SC motivation questionnaire); ii) Measurement of spirometric data; iii) SLA estimation and its announcement to participants; and iv) Self-reported evaluation of smoking behavior three months later through telephonic recall.

Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Metabolomes Highlights Fascin's Central Role in Regulating Key Pathways Related to Disease Progression.

Omics technologies provide useful tools for the identification of novel biomarkers in many diseases, including breast cancer, which is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. We and others have reported a central role for the actin-bundling protein (fascin) in regulating breast cancer disease progression at different levels. However, whether fascin expression promotes metabolic molecules that could predict disease progression has not been fully elucidated.

Prevalence of Postpartum Depression among Mothers in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health condition that affects women in a silent and covert way and is not clearly visible to the community or to health care providers. Untreated PPD has significant and long-term consequences on the mother and their child. This study aims to assess the risk of postpartum depression among women in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its determinants.