Efficacy and Safety of CT-P13 as First- and Second-Line Treatment in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

CT-P13 is a biosimilar version of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody. In individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), CT-P13 has been shown to be effective and to have a well-tolerated safety profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term drug persistence, safety, and efficacy of infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 in patients with AS undergoing first-line (1st-line) and later (≥2nd-line) treatment in clinical practice.

Efficiency of gene therapy for sensorineural hearing loss in mouse model: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a disorder characterized by the loss or impairment of cochlear hair cells or the auditory nerve. In recent years, gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach for SNHL treatment. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of gene therapy on the restoration or improvement of auditory function in mouse model with loss or impairment of hearing.

Maize-Fusarium associations and their mycotoxins: Insights from South Africa.

For maize, a staple food in South Africa, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the mycotoxin-producing fungal diversity. In this study, a fungal community profile was established using culture-dependent methods for 56 maize seed samples that were also analysed for 13 mycotoxins. The fungal isolates were identified by morphology and DNA sequencing.

Overview of Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections: has risk perception for RSV changed in children with comorbid conditions?

Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary etiology of lower respiratory tract infection in children. The fluctuating incidence of RSV, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, has shifted the spotlight onto preventive strategies. Our study aims to investigate both the risk factors and clinical symptoms of RSV.

Patterns of News Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: A 2.5 Year Longitudinal Study in the Netherlands.

During major long-term crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, news media are crucial sources of information for the public. This study aimed to explore the frequency of COVID-19-related news consumption based on (1) phase of the pandemic, (2) socio-demographic characteristics, and (3) news information channels. The study used a dynamic cohort design with 18 rounds of data collection, including 306,692 responses from 83,180 unique respondents in the Netherlands from 17 April 2020 to 11 September 2022.

Decreased Aortic Elasticity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Early Sign of Atherosclerosis and Predictive Factors.

Background: Atherosclerosis is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and early diagnosis of vascular disease leads to better outcome. Our aim was to evaluate whether aortic elasticity decreases in the subclinical stage of atherosclerosis in RA patients without any cardiovascular disease and to determine disease-related risk factors.

Methods: One hundred fourteen patients with RA, 50 patients with spondyloarthritis, and 50 healthy control were included in this study.

WONOEP appraisal: Targeted therapy development for early onset epilepsies.

The early onset epilepsies encompass a heterogeneous group of disorders, some of which result in drug-resistant seizures, developmental delay, psychiatric comorbidities, and sudden death. Advancement in the widespread use of targeted gene panels as well as genome and exome sequencing has facilitated the identification of different causative genes in a subset of these patients. The ability to recognize the genetic basis of early onset epilepsies continues to improve, with de novo coding variants accounting for most of the genetic etiologies identified.

Use of Adaptive Conjoint Analysis-Based Values Clarification in a Patient Decision Aid Is Not Associated with Better Perceived Values Clarity or Reduced Decisional Conflict but Enhances Values Congruence.

Background: Evidence is lacking on the most effective values clarification methods (VCMs) in patient decision aids (PtDAs). We tested the effects of an adaptive conjoint analysis (ACA)-based VCM compared with a ranking-based VCM and no VCM on several decision-related outcomes, with the decisional conflict and its subscale "perceived values clarity" as primary outcomes.

Design: Online experimental study with 3 conditions: no VCM versus ranking-based VCM versus -based VCM ( = 282; = 63.

Comparing fractional microneedle radiofrequency and fractional CO2 laser for striae distensae treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Striae distensae (SD) are a prevalent dermatological concern of women and approximately 90% of pregnant women experience these stretch marks. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency (FMR) and fractional CO2 laser (FCL) have gained substantial attention in the treatment of SD. In clinical studies, a clear superiority between FMR and FCL treatments is not found due to limited studies and sample sizes.

Comparison of External and Internal Site Genital Sampling to Detect High-Risk HPV DNA in Women.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common pathogen causing sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, is also an oncogenic virus. Due to the inadequacy of serologic tests in the diagnosis of HPV, NAATs (nucleic acid amplification tests), such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), represent the gold standard today. Endocervical brush sampling in women has been successfully used for HPV genotyping for many years.

Investigation of root apical closure of first permanent molars with cone-beam computed tomography: A retrospective study.

Background/purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the root apical closure ages of first permanent molars retrospectively among a group of western Turkish children aged between 5 and 15 years using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: CBCT images of 202 patients were examined. The patients were divided into 7 groups according to age: ≤8 years, 8-8.

Comparative Histopathologic Analysis of Inner Ear Damage in Meningitis: Otogenic Versus Meningogenic Routes.

Objective: To distinguish the patterns of inner ear changes between meningogenic and otogenic routes in meningitis cases. Our hypothesis is that pinpointing distinct patterns linked to each route could aid in the development of diagnostic strategies and targeted therapies.

Methods: Temporal bones (TBs) from patients with a history of meningitis and histopathological evidence of labyrinthitis were divided into two groups (otogenic and meningogenic).

Changes of oxidative stress in 3D film to be prepared for echocardiography: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Echocardiography (ECHO) is a nonprocedure that causes acute stress in children. Fear, anxiety, and fluctuations in children's blood pressure and heart rate can potentially lead to alterations in echocardiographic measurements. The insufficient research on virtual reality pediatric preparation applications, particularly in the context of echocardiographic procedures, underscores the necessity for additional studies focusing on pediatric patients.

Clinical Features, Treatment Outcome and Potential risk Factors for Recurrence Among Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Resource-limited Setting: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and to determine risk factors for disease recurrence.

Methods: A total of 43 patients with CPA (mean ± SD age: 61.4 ± 10.

New and Interesting Fungi. 7.

Two new genera, 17 new species, two epitypes, and six interesting new host and / or geographical records are introduced in this study. New genera include: (based on ) and (based on ). New species include: (from hypersaline sea water, Qatar), (from mycangia of , USA), (on leaves of , Brazil), (from pre-stored , South Africa), (from soil, South Africa), (from dead capsule of , Germany), (from house dust, Canada), (from soil, South Africa), (on ascomata of ascomycete on twigs of , South Africa), (on leaf litter, Spain), (on larva, Thailand), (from soil, South Africa), (from pasture mulch, South Africa), (from soil, South Africa), (on stem, bark of living tree of sp.

Effectiveness of an atraumatic orogastric tube insertion protocol for the combined use of swaddling, facilitated tucking, breast milk and sucrose.

Aim: The study aims to develop a protocol for the combined use of swaddling, facilitated tucking, expressed breast milk and sucrose administration methods in the orogastric tube (OGT) insertion procedure and evaluate its effectiveness.

Methods: The randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 15 February 2022 and 15 September 2022, with 175 preterms. Preterms at 32-34 gestational weeks were randomly allocated to five groups: routine care, swaddling + expressed breast milk, swaddling + sucrose, facilitated tucking + expressed breast milk and facilitated tucking + sucrose groups.

The Advancement of Waterjet-Guided Laser Cutting System for Enhanced Surface Quality in AISI 1020 Steel Sheets.

This study investigates the effects of a water-guided laser on the cutting performance of AISI 1020 steel sheets of various thicknesses by comparing the results with respect to a conventional laser. For this purpose, a novel nozzle design has been devised enabling the delivery of laser beams to the workpiece conventionally as well as through water guidance. Diverging from prior literature, a fiber laser is used with a high wavelength and a laser power output of 1 kW.

Evaluation of the follicular fluid thiol/disulfide balance among patients with poor ovarian response.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the thiol/disulfide balance, myeloperoxidase, and ischemia-modified albumin levels in the follicular fluid (FF) of poor ovarian response (POR) and normal ovarian response (NOR) women who received intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods: The study was performed between March 2021 and April 2022 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ankara City Hospital. The study included 27 POR and 35 NOR women who underwent ICSI.