An anthropomorphic phantom for atrial transseptal puncture simulation training.

Background: Transseptal puncture (TSP) is a critical prerequisite for left-sided cardiac interventions, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and left atrial appendage closure. Despite its routine nature, TSP can be technically demanding and carries a risk of complications. This study presents a novel, patient-specific, anthropomorphic phantom for TSP simulation training that can be used with X-ray fluoroscopy and ultrasound imaging.

N-glycoproteomic and proteomic alterations in SRD5A3-deficient fibroblasts.

SRD5A3-CDG is a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) resulting from pathogenic variants in SRD5A3 and follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. The enzyme encoded by SRD5A3, polyprenal reductase, plays a crucial role in synthesizing lipid precursors essential for N-linked glycosylation. Despite insights from functional studies into its enzymatic function, there remains a gap in understanding global changes in patient cells.

Small for gestational age and age at menarche in a contemporary population-based U.S. sample.

Children born small for gestational age (SGA) may be at risk for earlier puberty and adverse long-term health sequelae. This study investigates associations between SGA and age at menarche using secondary data on 1,027 female children in a population-based U.S.

Involuntary motor responses are elicited both by rare sounds and rare pitch changes.

Unpredictable deviations from an otherwise regular auditory sequence, as well as rare sounds following a period of silence, are detected automatically. Recent evidence suggests that the latter also elicit quick involuntary modulations of ongoing motor activity emerging as early as 100 ms following sound onset, which was attributed to supramodal processing. We explored such force modulations for both rare and deviant sounds.

Influence of chitosan properties and operating parameters on the flocculation efficiency and harvesting of microalgae (Scenedesmus sp.).

Physicochemical and structural characteristics of chitosan prepared from Deep-sea shrimp (DCs), including degree of deacetylation (DD), molecular weight (Mw), viscosity, crystallinity index (CrI) and surface morphology were compared with a commercial chitosan (CCs). The DCs had a higher DD of 81.33 ± 0.

A review of clinical trials registered in India from 2008 to 2022 to describe the first-in-human trials.

Aim: This analysis was conducted to review the number, and describe the characteristics of first-in-human (FIH) Phase 1 clinical trials registered in India from 2008 to 2022.

Materials And Methods: The data were extracted from the Clinical Trials Registry - India database for all FIH Phase 1 clinical trials registered between 2008 and 2022. Early-phase trials that were not FIH trials (e.

Physiological Temperature and Osmotic Changes Drive Dynamic Proteome Alterations in the Leptospiral Outer Membrane and Enhance Protein Export Systems.

Leptospirosis, a remerging zoonosis, has no effective vaccine or an unambiguous early diagnostic reagent. Proteins differentially expressed (DE) under pathogenic conditions will be useful candidates for antileptospiral measures. We employed a multipronged approach comprising high-resolution TMT-labeled LC-MS/MS-based proteome analysis coupled with bioinformatics on leptospiral proteins following Triton X-114 subcellular fractionation of leptospires treated under physiological temperature and osmolarity that mimic infection.

Characterization and qualitative evaluation of cassava starch-chitosan edible food wrap enriched with culinary leaf powders for eco-friendly food packaging applications.

Cassava starch-based edible food wraps were prepared by incorporating leaf powder from Indian curry leaf and Malabar bay leaf, reinforced with different (0.2, 0.4, 0.

Does greater distance from the hospital exacerbate socioeconomic barriers to neonatal intensive care unit clinic attendance?

To determine if distance from our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) follow-up clinic exacerbated risk of clinic non-attendance in high-risk groups defined by socioeconomic status or medical complexity, as geographical distance from the hospital can affect attendance rates at NICU follow-up clinics. We retrospectively identified infants born between January 2014 and June 2018, and subsequently discharged from our 50-bed level IV NICU, which serves a predominantly rural population. Patients were included in our study if they had at least one NICU clinic follow-up visit scheduled at discharge.

The mechanism of nanoparticle toxicity to cyanobacteria.

The demand for nanoparticles is increasing tremendously, and so is the risk of their foreseeable discharge into the environment. Nanoparticles contain a variety of features, including anti-microbial properties, and have been shown to have toxic effects on aquatic organisms previously. However, the causes of nanoparticle toxicity under environmental conditions are still unknown.

Ocular surface characteristics in pediatric vernal keratoconjunctivitis: a clinico-cytological study.

Purpose: To compare the ocular surface parameters of children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) with those of healthy controls and to correlate cytological characteristics with clinical findings and disease severity.

Methods: Newly diagnosed cases of VKC, not currently being treated, were recruited, along with age-matched controls with no ocular comorbidities. The Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (OSDI) was administered to all children.

Effect of energetic neutrals on the kithul starch retrogradation; Potential utilization for improving mechanical and barrier properties of films.

The effect of energetic neutral argon (EAr) atoms on the short and long-term retrogradation was studied, and the retrograded starch was used to prepare bioplastic films for better mechanical and barrier properties. Kithul starch showed higher short and long-term retrogradation after treatment. The EAr atoms treatment increased amylose content and amylose leaching; it facilitated the short-term retrogradation.

Well-child visit attendance of children who have experienced a parental COVID-19 diagnosis.

Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of well-child visit (WCV) attendance have significantly decreased. We wanted to see how a parent's positive diagnosis for COVID-19 affected a child's WCV attendance along with other factors. Therefore, we hypothesized that in families with at least 1 positive COVID-19 diagnosis, the rates of WCV attendance would be lower than in families that have not experienced COVID-19.

Application of innovative packaging technologies to manage fungi and mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products: Current status, challenges, and perspectives.

The consumer demand for safe, "healthy," and premium foods, preferably with an extended shelf-life; demand for easy packaging; and choice for more sustainable food packaging have contributed to the development of novel packaging technologies. The application of adequate packaging materials has recently become a major post-harvest challenge concerning the control of fungi and mycotoxin. This review will describe the current antifungal packaging technology involved to prevent the contamination of fungi and mycotoxin, along with the characteristics and mechanism of action in food products.

Impact of microwave irradiation on chemically modified talipot starches: A characterization study on heterogeneous dual modifications.

In this study, the effect of chemical modifications such as oxidation, esterification and crosslinking was investigated alone and in combination with microwave irradiation on a non-conventional starch with 76% starch yield acquired from the trunk of matured talipot palm. The single- and dual-modifications imparted significant changes in the morphological, crystalline, pasting and rheological properties and digestibility of talipot starch. Characteristic peaks were observed in single- and dual-oxidized, esterified and crosslinked starches indicating their respective functional groups.

Drug Triggers and Clinic of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis (AGEP): A Literature Case Series of 297 Patients.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare skin reaction, commonly caused by drugs. Available evidence mostly relies on small studies or case reports. We collected published AGEP case reports and, subsequently, described the patient characteristics, suspect and concomitant drugs, time to onset, disease management, and clinical prognosis.

Using a digital twin to explore water infrastructure impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the daily pattern of activities changed dramatically for people across the globe, as they socially distanced and worked remotely. Changes in daily routines created changes in water consumption patterns. Significant changes in water demands can affect the operation of water distribution systems, resulting in new patterns of flow, with implications for water age, pressure, and energy consumption.

Psychometric Properties of the Semantic Differential Scale in Studying Attitudes Toward Menstruation among Roman Catholics in India.

This article describes the psychometric properties of a semantic differential scale developed to evaluate the attitudes towards menstruation among Roman Catholics in India, which is referred to as Menstrual Semantic Differential Scale (MSDS). For this purpose, the south Indian state of Kerala was chosen as the location. First, exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the data collected from a sample of participants of different ages, gender, and caste groups.

Recent trends in bacterial decontamination of food products by hurdle technology: A synergistic approach using thermal and non-thermal processing techniques.

Researchers are continuously discovering varied technologies for microbial control to ensure worldwide food safety from farm-to-fork. The microbial load and virulence of spoilage causing microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, virus, and protozoa, determines the extent of microbial contamination in a food product. Certain pathogenic microbes can cause food poisoning and foodborne diseases, and adversely affect consumers' health.