Overcoming the snakebite challenge in Sudan: a call to action.

Snakebite envenomation is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa, including Sudan. The severity of snakebite envenomation ranges from mild to severe, and can even lead to death. Sudan has a high burden of snakebite envenomation, with an estimated 12 632 cases and a mortality rate of 2.

Microstrip plastic scintillating detector system for quality assurance in synchrotron microbeam radiotherapy.

Synchrotron microbeam radiotherapy (MRT), which has entered the clinical transfer phase, requires the development of appropriate quality assurance (QA) tools due to very high dose rates and spatial hyperfractionation. A microstrip plastic scintillating detector system with associated modules was proposed in the context of real-time MRT QA. A prototype of such a system with 105 scintillating microstrips was developed and tested under MRT conditions.

Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine Trial.

Objective: To evaluate descriptive efficacy data, exploratory immunogenicity data, and safety follow-up through study completion from the global, phase 3 MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) maternal vaccination trial of bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVpreF).

Methods: MATISSE was a phase 3, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy pregnant participants aged 49 years or younger at 24-36 weeks of gestation were randomized (1:1) to receive a single RSVpreF 120 micrograms or placebo dose.

Integration of multi-omics and benchmark dose modeling to support adverse outcome pathways.

Background: Recent advancements in omics and benchmark dose (BMD) modeling have facilitated identifying the dose required for a predetermined change in a response (e.g. gene or protein change) that can be used to establish acceptable dose levels for hazardous exposures.

Impact of smartphone addiction on health status, mental well-being, and sleep quality among medical students in Sudan.

Background: Smartphone use has rapidly increased worldwide. It was estimated that worldwide use of smartphones surpassed 4.3 billion in 2023, which means 54% of the world's population now uses smartphones.

Discrimination of benign, atypical, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours in neurofibromatosis type 1 - intraindividual comparison of positron emission computed tomography and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: To intraindividually compare the diagnostic performance of positron emission computed tomography (F-18-FDG-PET/CT) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in a non-inferiority design for the discrimination of peripheral nerve sheath tumours as benign (BPNST), atypical (ANF), or malignant (MPNST) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Results: In this prospective single-centre study, thirty-four NF1 patients (18 male; 30 ± 11 years) underwent F-18-FDG-PET/CT and multi-b-value DW-MRI (11 b-values 0 - 800 s/mm²) at 3T. Sixty-six lesions corresponding to 39 BPNST, 11 ANF, and 16 MPNST were evaluated.

The Evolution and Role of Molecular Tools in Measuring Diversity and Genomic Selection in Livestock Populations (Traditional and Up-to-Date Insights): A Comprehensive Exploration.

Distinctive molecular approaches and tools, particularly high-throughput SNP genotyping, have been applied to determine and discover SNPs, potential genes of interest, indicators of evolutionary selection, genetic abnormalities, molecular indicators, and loci associated with quantitative traits (QTLs) in various livestock species. These methods have also been used to obtain whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, enabling the implementation of genomic selection. Genomic selection allows for selection decisions based on genomic-estimated breeding values (GEBV).

Effect of Glass Fiber Reinforcement on Marginal Microleakage in Class II Composite Restorations: An In Vitro Pilot Study.

Polymerization shrinkage of composite resins affects the marginal closure of direct dental restorations. It is responsible for developing secondary caries and indirectly affects the survival rate of restorations. This study aims to investigate the null hypothesis, which states that there are no significant differences in the marginal microleakage of Class II restorations when examined in vitro using different dental adhesives, whether the restoration material used is a composite with glass fiber reinforcement or not.

Segmenting female students' perceptions about Fintech using Explainable AI.

The use of Financial Technology (Fintech) has been proposed as a promising way to bridge the gender gap, both financially and socially. However, there is evidence that Fintech is far from achieving this objective, and that women's perceptions of Fintech usages are not clear. Therefore, the main objective of the this study is to segment women's perceptions toward Fintech tools and interpret these segments using machine learning methods.

Plants used for the management of venereal diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and critical assessment of their research status.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces one of the highest burdens of venereal diseases (VDs) globally. This review aims to critically evaluate the existing literature on the diverse Indigenous knowledge and medicinal plants utilised for treating VDs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol to guide the execution of the review.

Three-dimensional spatial localization and volume estimation of prostate tumors using F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT versus multiparametric MRI.

Purpose: Fluorine-18 prostate-specific membrane antigen-1007 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT) has been shown to be superior to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the locoregional staging of intermediate-risk and high-risk prostate tumors. This study aims to evaluate whether it is also superior in estimating tumor parameters, such as three-dimensional spatial localization and volume.

Methods: 134 participants underwent F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT and MRI prior to radical prostatectomy as part of the validating paired-cohort Next Generation Trial (NCT05141760).

Benefits of Intensive Rehabilitation Programs Using Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Purpose Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) affects 3% of adolescents. Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) are recommended to limit AIS progression, especially within intensive multidisciplinary programs. Our study evaluated the efficiency of these programs in AIS cases with a high progression risk.

Femoral or Radial Secondary Access in TAVR: A Subanalysis From the Multicenter PULSE Registry.

Background: Transradial secondary access (TR-SA) may serve as an alternative to the traditional femoral secondary access (TF-SA) for pigtail placement in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of secondary access-related vascular complications after TR-SA or TF-SA in TAVR.

Methods: The PULSE (Plug or sUture based vascuLar cloSurE after TAVR) registry retrospectively evaluated data of 10,120 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR at 10 heart centers from 2016 to 2021.

Signaling events driving Aspergillus fumigatus-induced eosinophil activation.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is an incurable disease caused by the environmental mold Aspergillus fumigatus. This hypersensitivity pneumonia is characterized by an inflammatory type 2 immune response, accompanied by influx of eosinophils into the lung. To investigate the mode of action of eosinophils and the signaling events triggered by A.

Emissions of HFC-23 do not reflect commitments made under the Kigali Amendment.

HFC-23 (trifluoromethane) is a potent greenhouse gas released to the atmosphere primarily as a by-product of HCFC-22 (chlorodifluoromethane) synthesis. Since 2020, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol has required Parties to destroy their HFC-23 emissions to the extent possible. Here, we present updated HFC-23 emissions estimated from atmospheric observations.

The effects of fasting and dehydration on pupillary light reflex as detected by pupillometry.

The pupillary light reflex could serve as a valuable method for measuring dynamic responses in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, it remains unclear whether physiological conditions such as fasting and dehydration affect pupillary reflexes. In this study, we investigated the effects of fasting and dehydration on pupillary responses using pupillometry.

C-reactive protein diagnostic value for bacterial infections in the paediatric emergency department setting.

Aim: C-reactive protein (CRP) is commonly used to assess the probability of bacterial infection and the need for empiric antibiotic treatment. We assessed the relationship between CRP levels and bacterial infection in the paediatric emergency room (PER) setting.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study.

Evaluation of atmospheric correction algorithms for salt lake water assessment: Accuracy, band-specific effects, and sensor consistency.

Atmospheric correction plays an important role in satellite monitoring of lake water quality. However, different atmospheric correction algorithms yield significantly different accuracy for inland lake waters beset by shallowness and turbidity. Finding a suitable algorithm for a specific lake is critical for quantitative satellite water-environmental monitoring.

Derived Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Neutrophil-to-Platelet Ratios Distinguish Sinusitis-Related Orbital Cellulitis From Periorbital Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Purpose: Periorbital necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and sinusitis-related orbital cellulitis (OC) present with common clinical features, although the management algorithms for these ailments vary considerably. Previous investigations have failed to identify biomarkers that distinguish between these entities. This study was designed to explore the role of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and neutrophil-to-platelet ratios in discerning NF from OC.

Framing resilience linked to parental ethnic-racial socialization as hidden: A hidden resilience conceptual framework.

Parental ethnic-racial socialization is a source of adolescents' resilience against ethnic-racial discrimination. Recent meta-analyses have documented the aspects of ethnic-racial socialization (i.e.

In vivo evaluation of selenium-tellurium based nanoparticles as a novel treatment for bovine mastitis.

Background: Bovine mastitis is one of the main causes of reduced production in dairy cows. The infection of the mammary gland is mainly caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, whose resistant strains make the treatment of mastitis with conventional antibiotics very difficult and result in high losses. Therefore, it is important to develop novel therapeutic agents to overcome the resistance of mastitis-causing strains.

A safe insect-based chikungunya fever vaccine affords rapid and durable protection in cynomolgus macaques.

Eilat (EILV)/chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an insect-based chimeric alphavirus was previously reported to protect mice months after a single dose vaccination. The underlying mechanisms of host protection are not clearly defined. Here, we assessed the capacity of EILV/CHIKV to induce quick and durable protection in cynomolgus macaques.

[Six-month real-world outcomes of intravitreal clindamycin for ocular toxoplasmosis].

Objective: To evaluate in a real-world setting an intravitreal clindamycin treatment protocol for ocular toxoplasmosis.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective review with a 6-month follow-up. Our protocol proposed an IVT of clindamycin as first-line treatment, and management was chosen according to the patient's status (past medical history of ocular toxoplasmosis or not).