What Do Patients Seek Care for at a Health Facility in the Aftermath of an Earthquake? Experiences From an Emergency Medical Team in Türkoğlu, Türkiye 2023.

On February 6, 2023, a strong earthquake (7.8 Richter scale) shook southwestern Türkiye, and also affected areas in northwest Syria, resulting in over 50 000 fatalities and more than 100 000 injured in Türkiye, in addition to the displacement of approximately 3 million people. In response to an international request for assistance from the Turkish government, the United Kingdom (UK) government deployed an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Type 1 to provide outpatient care.

Hyper-Responsive Chemiluminescent Probe Reveals Distinct PYRase Activity in .

Pyrrolidone carboxyl peptidase, commonly known as PYRase, is an exopeptidase that catalytically cleaves an -terminal pyroglutamic acid from peptides or proteins. The diverse functions of PYRases in bacterial enzymology have prompted the development of various bacterial diagnostic techniques. However, the specific physiological role and activity of this enzyme across the bacterial kingdom remain unclear.

Enzymatic Activity Profiling Using an Ultrasensitive Array of Chemiluminescent Probes for Bacterial Classification and Characterization.

Identification and characterization of bacterial species in clinical and industrial settings necessitate the use of diverse, labor-intensive, and time-consuming protocols as well as the utilization of expensive and high-maintenance equipment. Furthermore, while cutting-edge identification technologies such as mass spectrometry and PCR are highly effective in identifying bacterial pathogens, they fall short in providing additional information for identifying bacteria not present in the databases upon which these methods rely. In response to these challenges, we present a robust and general approach to bacterial identification based on their unique enzymatic activity profiles.

Spirostrain-Accelerated Chemiexcitation of Dioxetanes Yields Unprecedented Detection Sensitivity in Chemiluminescence Bioassays.

Chemiluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon that involves the generation of light through chemical reactions. The light emission from adamantyl-phenoxy-1,2-dioxetanes can glow from minutes to hours depending on the specific substituent present on the dioxetane molecule. In order to improve the light emission properties produced by these chemiluminescent luminophores, it is necessary to induce the chemiexcitation rate to a flash mode, wherein the bulk of light is emitted instantly rather than slowly over time.

Stigma in vitiligo: associated factors and severity strata of the Patient Unique Stigmatization Holistic tool in Dermatology (PUSH-D) score.

Background: Vitiligo is the most common cause of skin depigmentation worldwide. Patients with vitiligo may experience stigma and this needs to be addressed.

Objectives: To evaluate stigma in patients with vitiligo, search for associated factors and establish severity strata for the Patient Unique Stigmatization Holistic tool in Dermatology (PUSH-D) for patients with vitiligo.

Chemiluminescent duplex analysis using phenoxy-1,2-dioxetane luminophores with color modulation.

Multiplex technology is an important emerging field, in diagnostic sciences, that enables the simultaneous detection of several analytes in a single sample. The light-emission spectrum of a chemiluminescent phenoxy-dioxetane luminophore can be accurately predicted by determining the fluorescence-emission spectrum of its corresponding benzoate species, which is generated during the chemiexcitation process. Based on this observation, we designed a library of chemiluminescent dioxetane luminophores with multicolor emission wavelengths.

Towards a Multi-Pixel Photon-to-Digital Converter for Time-Bin Quantum Key Distribution.

We present an integrated single-photon detection device custom designed for quantum key distribution (QKD) with time-bin encoded single photons. We implemented and demonstrated a prototype photon-to-digital converter (PDC) that integrates an 8 × 8 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array with on-chip digital signal processing built in TSMC 65 nm CMOS. The prototype SPADs are used to validate the QKD functionalities with an array of time-to-digital converters (TDCs) to timestamp and process the photon detection events.

Prolidase Deficiency Causing Recalcitrant Leg Ulcerations in Siblings.

Prolidase deficiency (PD) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis with variable clinical manifestations. It results from a mutation in the peptidase-D gene that leads to abnormal activity of the prolidase enzyme, an important player in collagen catabolism. The authors report the case of two siblings presenting with dysmorphic features, disturbed blood panel, and recalcitrant leg ulcerations of several years' duration.

Roles of fiber birefringence and Raman scattering in the spontaneous four-wave mixing process through birefringent fibers.

We investigate the impact of fiber birefringence and spontaneous Raman scattering on the properties of photon pairs that are generated by the spontaneous four-wave mixing process in birefringent fibers. Starting from the formulation of the theory of four-wave mixing, we show a theoretical model for a generated optical field with the consideration of the Raman scattering and a Gaussian-distributed pump. The theoretical model is then applied for deriving the closed expressions of the photon-pair spectral properties as a function of the fiber birefringence.

Delirium and Inflammation in Older Adults Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Cohort Study.

Purpose: The occurrence and predictors of delirium in older adults hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been well described. Highlighting the association with inflammatory markers may be useful for identifying delirium. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of delirium and explore its association with the C-reactive protein (CRP).

Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Pediatrics: Adherence to Clinical Guidelines.

To evaluate adherence to guidelines for inpatient care of pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Pediatric CAP is one of the most common acute infections requiring hospital admission. Discrepancies between recommended care and effective management are reported, raising the necessity to evaluate our local clinical practices.

Genuine time-bin-encoded quantum key distribution over a turbulent depolarizing free-space channel.

Despite its widespread use in fiber optics, encoding quantum information in photonic time-bin states is usually considered impractical for free-space quantum communication as turbulence-induced spatial distortion impedes the analysis of time-bin states at the receiver. Here, we demonstrate quantum key distribution using time-bin photonic states distorted by turbulence and depolarization during free-space transmission. Utilizing a novel analyzer apparatus, we observe stable quantum bit error ratios of 5.

Topography Measurements Using High Mass Resolution Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: Application to Banknotes.

An unconventional approach using the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) technique to determine the height topography at the microscale is detailed in this work with an application to cotton paper banknotes. The study was conducted by determining the effect of all related factors and parameters on the height measurement by taking the simplest model made from two Post-it sheets. For each sample, the difference in the TOF of the same secondary ion coming from two different heights was successfully attributed to the step height of the studied areas' topography, which was measured using classic methods.

Role of Krüppel-like factor 4 and heat shock protein 27 in cancer of the larynx.

Late detection and lack of standard treatment strategies in larynx cancer patients result in high levels of mortality and poor prognosis. Prognostic stratification of larynx cancer patients based on molecular prognostic tumor biomarkers may lead to more efficient clinical management. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP27) have an important role in tumorigenesis and are considered promising candidate biomarkers for various types of cancer.

Usefulness of omalizumab in ten patients with severe occupational asthma.

Background: The management of severe occupational asthma (OA) remains problematic and new alternative treatments providing better disease control are required, ideally enabling affected individuals to remain in their job.

Methods: Ten patients with severe uncontrolled OA were treated with the monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab. In six cases the causative agent was a high molecular weight (HMW) compound and in four cases it was a low molecular weight (LMW) chemical.

Phase II study of pre-irradiation chemotherapy for childhood intracranial ependymoma. Children's Cancer Group protocol 9942: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Purpose: Standard therapy for childhood intracranial ependymoma is maximal tumor resection followed by involved-field irradiation. Although not used routinely, chemotherapy has produced objective responses in ependymoma, both at recurrence and in infants. Because the presence of residual tumor following surgery is consistently associated with inferior outcome, the potential impact of pre-irradiation chemotherapy was investigated.

Calculation of the anterograde velocity of varicella-zoster virions in a human sciatic nerve during shingles.

Zoster of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body, is an uncommon event. We cared for a child with sciatic nerve zoster who had severe pain over the lower back 6 days before appearance of vesicular rash on the foot in the L4 dermatome. On the basis of the clinical data, we calculated an anterograde velocity for the varicella zoster virion of 5.

Investigation of traumatic brain injuries using the next generation of simulated injury monitor (SIMon) finite element head model.

The objective of this study was to investigate potential for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) using a newly developed, geometrically detailed, finite element head model (FEHM) within the concept of a simulated injury monitor (SIMon). The new FEHM is comprised of several parts: cerebrum, cerebellum, falx, tentorium, combined pia-arachnoid complex (PAC) with cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF), ventricles, brainstem, and parasagittal blood vessels. The model's topology was derived from human computer tomography (CT) scans and then uniformly scaled such that the mass of the brain represents the mass of a 50th percentile male's brain (1.

On the Development of the SIMon Finite Element Head Model.

The SIMon (Simulated Injury Monitor) software package is being developed to advance the interpretation of injury mechanisms based on kinematic and kinetic data measured in the advanced anthropomorphic test dummy (AATD) and applying the measured dummy response to the human mathematical models imbedded in SIMon. The human finite element head model (FEHM) within the SIMon environment is presented in this paper. Three-dimensional head kinematic data in the form of either a nine accelerometer array or three linear CG head accelerations combined with three angular velocities serves as an input to the model.

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor of the myocardium.

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor is an uncommon tumor first described in 1988 as a childhood fibrous tumor with psammoma bodies. The typical pathological findings are those of a densely collagenized fibrous tumor with psammomatous and dystrophic calcification accompanied by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. To date these tumors are reported in subcutaneous and deep soft tissues of the extremities and trunk, groin, scrotum, pleura, mediastinum, paratracheal region, peritoneum, neck, mesentery, omentum, serosa, lung, bone, and gallbladder.

Isolation, molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella and Escherichia coli isolates from meat-based fast food in Lebanon.

The aim of this study was to characterize at the molecular level the different stains of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli that were isolated from meat-based fast food in Lebanon. In addition, this study evaluated the resistance of those strains to different antimicrobials that are commonly used.

Low calcium and vitamin D intake in healthy children and adolescents and their correlates.

Background: Optimal dietary calcium and possibly vitamin D intake throughout childhood and adolescence may enhance bone mineral accrual. Little data on the intake of these nutrients in Mediterranean countries exist, and predictors of their suboptimal intake are not well defined.

Objective: To evaluate systematically the effect of gender, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic status on mean calcium and vitamin D intake in healthy school children and adolescents from Lebanon.

Anemia in stage II and III breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.

Purpose: The incidence and severity of prechemotherapy anemia and chemotherapy-induced anemia experienced by women treated with adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) therapy for stage II and III breast cancer are described.

Patients And Methods: Medical charts of 310 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy at eight oncology practices during 1997 through 2001 were reviewed in this historical case series study. Prechemotherapy anemia was defined as a baseline hemoglobin value <12 g/dl.

Evaluating the effectiveness of epoetin alfa in community oncology practices.

Purpose: This retrospective case-series review studied the effectiveness of epoetin alfa in community oncology practices, which until now has not been well documented.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 118 cancer patients treated between 1999 and 2001 with cyclic chemotherapy plus epoetin alfa in 27 US community-based oncology practices. Two analysis sets were examined: one including all patients (n=118) and one including only those patients with no concurrent events impacting hemoglobin data interpretation (n=73).

Local control of parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma: outcomes in non-complete responders to chemoradiation.

Purpose: To determine whether there is a role for surgery in Group III and IV patients with residual parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (PM-RMS) after radiotherapy (RT).

Materials And Methods: From 1965 to 2000, 29 patients with PM-RMS (Group III 27, Group IV 2) were diagnosed and treated with RT at the University of Iowa. All patients received chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) in 17 (59%), VAC + doxorubicin in six (21%), VC + doxorubicin in three (10%), and other in three.