Self-monitoring of blood pressure following a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TASMIN5S): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) control following stroke is important but currently sub-optimal. This trial aimed to determine whether self-monitoring of hypertension with telemonitoring and a treatment escalation protocol, results in lower BP than usual care in people with previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

Methods: Unblinded randomised controlled trial, comparing a BP telemonitoring-based intervention with control (usual care) for hypertension management in 12 primary care practices in England.

A Micro-CT Based Cadaveric Study Investigating Bone Density Changes During Hip Arthroplasty Surgery.

The impact of broaching and uncemented implantation on bone density during total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unclear. Previous studies have typically examined extracted bone sections, which may not directly correlate with outcomes in human hip systems. This study aimed to evaluate bone density changes resulting from broaching and uncemented implantation using micro-computed tomography (μCT) on cadaveric samples.

Ethical data acquisition for LLMs and AI algorithms in healthcare.

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms will become increasingly integrated into our healthcare systems in the coming decades. These algorithms require large volumes of data for development and fine-tuning. Patient data is typically acquired for AI algorithms through an opt-out system in the United States, while others support an opt-in model.

The Role of Healthcare Providers in Shared Decision Making for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Ghana: A Qualitative Study.

Cervical cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana. Several studies have identified healthcare providers as key stakeholders in cervical cancer prevention. There is limited data on the role healthcare providers in Ghana play in shared decision making for cervical cancer prevention.

Efficacy of copper-impregnated antimicrobial surfaces against spores.

Objective: () is one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Elimination of spores is difficult as they are resistant to common hospital-grade disinfectants. Copper-impregnated surfaces provide continuous reduction of multiple pathogens, potentially lowering the risk of infections.

Taxonomic variability and functional stability across Oregon coastal subsurface microbiomes.

The factors shaping microbial communities in marine subsurface sediments remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the microbiome of subsurface sediments within a depth range of 1.6-1.

The parkour tic-tac action versus the drop jump as part of complex training within the strength and conditioning programme of highly-trained youth basketball players.

This study aimed to examine the effects of two different complex training protocols on physical performance in highly-trained youth basketball players. Fourteen adolescent players participated in twice-weekly sessions over eight weeks, following either the Drop Jump protocol (n = 7) or the Tic-tac protocol (n = 7), performing 1-3 sets of 8-9 exercises. Physical performance was assessed before and after the intervention using jumping tests (CMJ, squat, 10-5 hop jumps), change-of-direction speed (5-10-5), sprinting (0-20 meters), and muscular strength (isometric midthigh pull) tests.

Automated age grading of female Culex pipiens by an optical sensor system coupled to a mosquito trap.

Background: The age distribution of a mosquito population is a major determinant of its vectorial capacity. To contribute to disease transmission, a competent mosquito vector, carrying a pathogen, must live longer than the extrinsic incubation period of that pathogen to enable transmission to a new host. As such, determining the age of female mosquitoes is of significant interest for vector-borne diseases surveillance and control programs.

EOR-1/PLZF-regulated WAH-1/AIF sequentially promotes early and late stages of non-apoptotic corpse removal.

Unlabelled: Programmed cell death (PCD) is a crucial genetically-encoded and evolutionarily-conserved process for development and homeostasis. We previously identified a genetically non-apoptotic, highly ordered, and stereotyped killing program called Compartmentalized Cell Elimination (CCE) in the tail-spike epithelial cell (TSC). Here we identify the transcription factor EOR-1/PLZF as promoting CCE.

Fractures complicating intraosseous access in pediatric patients - A systematic review.

Introduction: Intraosseous (IO) access is a commonly used procedure in pediatric emergencies for establishingvascular access when alternative means, such as intravenous access, cannot be obtained. Likealternative routes, IO can be administered quickly and provides a route for medications, blood products,and fluids to be infused in emergency circumstances. While the use of IO is generally considered safewith minimal risks, potential complications can include compartment syndrome, infection, thrombosis, and fracture.

Epstein-Barr virus infection in patients with MOGAD.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection increases the risk of having multiple sclerosis (MS). Data on adults with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are lacking.

Objective: To compare EBV serological status in MOGAD versus MS.

Characterising high-risk plaque on cardiac CT.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a well-established and reliable non-invasive imaging modality that provides a comprehensive assessment of coronary artery anatomy and luminal stenosis due to atherosclerosis. Owing to advances in CCTA software and technology, the composition and morphology of coronary plaque can be accurately evaluated. Adverse features which identify plaque as being high-risk or 'vulnerable' can provide a personalised cardiovascular risk assessment over and above stenosis severity.

Clinical and Imaging Features of Head and Neck Metastasis of High-Grade Glioma: A Single Center Case Series.

High-grade gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors, yet extraneural metastasis is exceedingly rare. This is in part secondary to the relatively poor survival of these patients and likely the shielding effect of the blood-brain barrier. Given the rarity of extraneural metastasis, the pathophysiology and imaging appearance of extraneural metastasis is under-reported and poorly understood.

Process of development of decentralised clinical trial methodology for cancer clinical trials in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aim: To develop processes for the development of decentralised clinical trial methodology for Aotearoa New Zealand, focussing on equity of access to cancer clinical trials for Māori, Pacific people, vulnerable communities and those in rural settings.

Methods: A national steering committee supported by Te Aho o Te Kahu - Cancer Control Agency was formed to: guide the adaptation and implementation of overseas decentralised clinical trial models to suit the needs of Aotearoa New Zealand with an equity focus; provide high-level oversight and expertise for direction and development of policies, procedures and infrastructure compliant with ICH GCP R2; and implement a national strategy.

Results: Twelve standard operating procedures were developed, as well as a supervision plan and a glossary.

Force-induced melting and S-DNA pathways for DNA overstretching exhibit distinct kinetics.

It is widely appreciated that double stranded DNA (dsDNA) is subjected to strong and dynamic mechanical forces in cells. Under increasing tension B-DNA, the most stable double-stranded (ds) form of DNA, undergoes cooperative elongation into a mixture of S-DNA and single stranded DNA (ssDNA). Despite significant effort, the structure, energetics, kinetics and the biological role of S-DNA remains obscure.

Polarity of Ordered Solvent Molecules in 9,9'-Bianthracene Single Crystals Selects between Singlet Fission or Symmetry-Breaking Charge Separation.

Singlet exciton fission (SF) and symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) are both photophysical processes that can occur between two organic chromophores and are both of interest to improve solar energy conversion. Here, we tuned the photophysics of a 9,9'-bianthracene () single crystal between SF and SB-CS using solvent intercalation to change the electric field within the crystal. Crystals of were grown in -xylene, chlorobenzene, -dichlorobenzene, and benzonitrile, as well as solvent-free from a melt.

Temporal dynamics of BMP/Nodal ratio drive tissue-specific gastrulation morphogenesis.

Anteroposterior (AP) elongation of the vertebrate body plan is driven by convergence and extension (C&E) gastrulation movements in both the mesoderm and neuroectoderm, but how or whether molecular regulation of C&E differs between tissues remains an open question. Using a zebrafish explant model of AP axis extension, we show that C&E of the neuroectoderm and mesoderm can be uncoupled ex vivo, and that morphogenesis of individual tissues results from distinct morphogen signaling dynamics. Using precise temporal manipulation of BMP and Nodal signaling, we identify a critical developmental window during which high or low BMP/Nodal ratios induce neuroectoderm- or mesoderm-driven C&E, respectively.

frameshift variants impair GABAA receptor proteostasis.

The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA R) is the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter-gated ion channel in the central nervous system. Pathogenic variants in genes encoding GABA R subunits can cause receptor dysfunction and lead to genetic epilepsy. Frameshift variants in these genes can result in a premature termination codon, producing truncated receptor subunit variants.

Different combinations of operating temperature and solids retention time during two-phase anaerobic digestion impacts removal of antibiotic resistance genes.

Two-phase anaerobic digestion (AD) performance is significantly influenced by operating parameters such as temperature and solids retention time (SRT), while their impact on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during the acidogenic (AP) and methanogenic (MP) phases remains unclear. This study assessed the abundance of eight ARGs in full-scale two-phase AD, then operated lab-scale two-phase AD systems to evaluate temperature combinations (thermophilic-thermophilic, thermophilic-mesophilic, mesophilic-thermophilic, and mesophilic-mesophilic) at a constant SRT (AP = 2/MP = 13d) and to further assess different SRTs (AP = 2/MP = 13d and AP = 4/MP = 11d). qPCR results revealed that full-scale two-phase AD reduced total ARGs abundance by 87.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a small rural southern state: Results of a weighted random sample survey.

Objective: COVID-19 remains a significant health threat to the United States (U.S.) and the world even after the development of effective vaccines.