Clinical Phenotypes and Disease-specific Health-related Quality of Life in Patients of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common health issue globally and is expected to increase in the future. The latest Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) guidelines describe the various phenotypes of COPD. This study assessed the different clinical phenotypes and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with COPD.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from perinatal sources: biological facts, molecular biomarkers, and therapeutic promises.

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from perinatal tissue sources has gained attention due to their availability and lack of significant ethical or moral concerns. These cells have a higher proliferative capability than adult MSCs and less immunogenic or tumorigenesis risk than fetal and embryonic stem cells. Additionally, they do not require invasive isolation methods like fetal and adult MSCs.

Ascending colon carcinoma presenting as ileocecal intussusception in an adult-a case report with review of literature.

Intussusception is telescoping of a proximal segment of gastrointestinal tract within the lumen of another. Intussusception is a common presentation in pediatric population and present with a classic triad of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and a palpable mass. However, intussusception in adults is a rare entity accounting for only 5% of the total cases and is the underlying cause for 1%-5% of all the cases of intestinal obstruction.

A Retrospective Analysis of Disease Modifying Drug Discontinuation in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (S31.010).

Objective: To analyze patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who discontinue disease modifying drugs (DMD) and experience disease activity (DA).

Background: Although several studies have investigated outcomes related to DMD discontinuation, these results remain inconclusive. Our study aims to investigate the risk of MS disease activity after drug discontinuation.

Interparticle Crosslinked Ion-responsive Microgels for 3D and 4D (Bio)printing Applications.

Microgels offer unique advantages over bulk hydrogels due to their improved diffusion limits for oxygen and nutrients. Particularly, stimuli-responsive microgels with inherently bioactive and self-supporting properties emerge as highly promising biomaterials. This study unveils the development of interparticle-crosslinked, self-supporting, ion-responsive microgels tailored for 3D and 4D (bio)printing applications.

Next-Generation Oral Ulcer Management: Integrating Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) with Nanogel-Based Pharmaceuticals for Inflammation Regulation.

Oral ulcers, affecting 27.9% of adults, can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, especially in individuals with diabetes, cancer, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. Existing treatments-including oral films, sprays, frosts, and powders-often fail to be effective due to rapid dilution and clearance in the moist oral environment.

Supercritical fluid extrusion of pea flour and pea protein concentrate: Effects on off-flavor removal and sensory improvement.

This study was intended to provide a novel process that fills a knowledge gap in relation to the enhancement of pulses utilization. The primary goal was to develop an experimental framework for using a high-pressure supercritical fluid extruder (SCFX) as a continuous bioreactor to produce off-flavor reduced and functionally superior pulse flours and protein concentrates in a single step. The current study focused on using SCFX processing to remove off-flavor from pulse flour and protein concentrates, enhancing the quality, acceptability, and marketability of pulse-based products.

A new method for concomitant evaluation of drug combinations for their antimicrobial properties.

Microbial pathogens have developed resistance mechanisms to almost every antibiotic available. There is a need to synthesize or screen new natural compounds to combat the development of drug-resistant pathogens. One of the commonly used methods to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two or more antibiotics involves a checkerboard assay, which is cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive.

Exploring technology acceptance of flight simulation training devices and augmented reality in general aviation pilot training.

This study investigates pilot perspectives on the use of Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs) in Canada's general aviation (GA) sector, which, despite their longstanding adoption, remain underutilized. It also examines pilot perspectives on the potential of Augmented Reality (AR) technology as an assistive tool in GA pilot training. An online survey gathered views on FSTD use for routine flight operations and emergency training, as well as AR's potential to support learning.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Beta Antagonists in Patients With Burns: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Aims: The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the safety and effectiveness of beta antagonists for improving clinical care in burn patients, compared to placebo.

Methods: Articles from randomized-controlled trials were identified by a literature search on PubMed and Cochrane. We included relevant trials involving patients with burn.

Integrated analyses of Mendelian randomization, eQTL, and single-cell transcriptome identify CCN3 as a potential biomarker in aortic dissection.

Plasma secretory proteins are associated with various diseases, including aortic dissection (AD). However, current research on the correlation between AD and plasma protein levels is scarce or lacks specificity. This study aimed to explore plasma secretory proteins as potential biomarkers for AD.

Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury in southeastern Norway: acute treatment, specialized rehabilitation referral and mortality.

Background: Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) is a serious condition that requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach involving care at a neurotrauma center (NTC) and specialized rehabilitation. Contemporary population-based studies of cSCI are important for ensuring the quality and planning of health care approaches for these patients.

Methods: This is a population-based cohort study of patients with traumatic cSCI who were admitted to the NTC in Southeast Norway between 2015 and 2022.

Supercritical fluid extrusion of pea flour and pea protein concentrate: Effects on functional and structural attributes.

This research investigated the effectiveness of supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) to modify the functional and structural characteristics of pea protein concentrate (PPC) and pea flour (PF). The results indicate that the SCFX process favorably modified the hydration properties of PPC and PF needed for developments in the structural and textural qualities of the meat analogs and other similar products. The water-holding capacity of extruded PPC and PF improved significantly.

Teprotumumab versus intravenous methylprednisolone in thyroid eye disease: A systematic review.

Thyroid eye disease (TED), also known as thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, is an autoimmune disorder caused due to a complex interplay between autoantigens including the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor. TED is characterized by progressive proptosis or diplopia. This systematic review aimed to compare the efficacy of the newer monoclonal antibody - teprotumumab and intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in TED patients.

Isolation enhancement of a capacitively-fed MIMO antenna using a quasi-fractal parasitic element and defected ground structure.

Vehicular Internet of Things (IoT) is facilitated by efficient RF front ends with suppressed mutual coupling for enhanced spatial diversity and increased channel capacity. This paper presents a mutual coupling suppressed MIMO antenna with a hybrid decoupling technique for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications, enabling IoT in automotive systems. The single elements consist of a radiating patch with a cleaving circular slot to introduce a capacitive effect on the radiating structure.

Diuretic efficiency of a single dose of subcutaneous versus oral furosemide after heart failure hospitalization across diuretic resistance strata: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Diuretic resistance (DR) in heart failure (HF) is associated with worse outcomes. Furoscix®, a self-administered subcutaneous (sc) furosemide injection administered via on-body infusor, is approved for HF congestion relief. However, its efficacy in patients with DR post-HF hospitalization remains unknown.

Mitigating the risks of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) with intranasal chlorpheniramine: perspectives from the ACCROS studies.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) global public health emergency on May 5, 2023, but its long-term consequences have still been haunting the global population. Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and long-term COVID-19 are serious concerns and present with various symptoms. Intranasal chlorpheniramine (iCPM) has been shown to decrease the viral burden of SARS-COV-2.

Cell2Sentence: Teaching Large Language Models the Language of Biology.

We introduce Cell2Sentence (C2S), a novel method to directly adapt large language models to a biological context, specifically single-cell transcriptomics. By transforming gene expression data into "cell sentences," C2S bridges the gap between natural language processing and biology. We demonstrate cell sentences enable the finetuning of language models for diverse tasks in biology, including cell generation, complex celltype annotation, and direct data-driven text generation.

Epidemiology of glioblastoma in Pakistan: a secondary analysis of the Pakistan Brain Tumor Epidemiology Study (PBTES).

Purpose: The incidence and outcomes of glioblastoma (GBM) patients in Pakistan remain unassessed owing to a lack of cancer registries and the absence of population-based studies. For any specific population-based oncological intervention, epidemiology must be studied. Therefore, this study aims to examine the epidemiological characteristics of glioblastoma patients in Pakistan, as part of a secondary analysis of a nationwide epidemiological study.

Two-color fluorescence-guided surgery for head and neck cancer resections.

Significance: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has the sixth highest incidence worldwide, with cases annually. Surgery is the primary treatment option for HNSCC, during which surgeons balance two main goals: (1) complete cancer resection and (2) preservation of normal tissues to ensure post-surgical quality of life. Unfortunately, these goals are not synergistic, where complete cancer resection is often limited by efforts to preserve normal tissues, particularly nerves, and reduce life-altering comorbidities.

Subconjunctival injection of anti-VEGF agent bevacizumab as treatment in patients with dry eye disease.

To assess the effect of subconjunctival injection of anti-VEGF bevacizumab in the management of dry eye disease in a tertiary care hospital. In this quasi-experimental trial 150 eyes of 75 patients were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Detailed clinical examination was performed, the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire score, tear film break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test 2 were measured and compared pre and post injection.

Spermidine protects cellular redox status and ionic homeostasis in D-galactose induced senescence and natural aging rat models.

Impaired redox homeostasis is an important hallmark of aging. Among various anti-aging interventions, caloric restriction mimetics (CRMs) are the most effective in promoting health and longevity. The potential role of spermidine (SPD) as a CRM in modulating oxidative stress and redox homeostasis during aging remains unclear.

Utility of Video Laryngoscopy in Diagnosing Unanticipated Gastro-Tracheal Fistula Following Intubation for Supratentorial Craniotomy.

Gastro-tracheal fistula (GTF) is a rare but serious complication that can occur after esophagectomy. It involves an abnormal connection between the gastric conduit and the trachea that allows gastric contents to enter the respiratory tract. Although GTF is uncommon, it can lead to severe complications such as aspiration pneumonia, respiratory distress, mediastinitis, and sepsis.