A novel cross-priming amplification technique combined with lateral flow strips for rapid and visual detection of zoonotic Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, infects almost all warm-blooded animals and humans, with felines serving as its sole definitive hosts. Cats release T. gondii oocysts into the environment through feces, contributing to environmental contamination that can lead to toxoplasmosis in humans upon exposure through ingestion of contaminated food, water, or soil.

Association of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index with 1-year postoperative mortality: A single-center retrospective study.

Objective: To explore risk factors for 1-year postoperative mortality and to identify its association with the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study involving 54,933 patients aged 18 years and above who were surgically treated under general or regional anesthesia in a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Independent risk factors for 1-year postoperative mortality were identified by univariate Cox regression analysis.

Effectiveness of Active Support on the quality of life and well-being of people with moderate to mild intellectual disabilities.

Active Support is a support model designed to enhance quality of life through activity engagement in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether implementation of Active Support affected quality of life, well-being, and activity engagement of residents with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, using a cluster randomised controlled design. Fourteen services were recruited, and Active Support was implemented after conducting baseline assessments.

Evolution of treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvic ring. An update.

The term "fragility fractures of the pelvis" refers to the disruptions of the pelvic ring that are caused by low energy injuries (such as low-level falls or falls from the standing position) in the elderly population (age over 65 years) in the absence of metastatic bone disease. These fractures are increasing in numbers, due to the aging population, particularly in the developed countries, causing significant morbidity and mortality [1]. Although some fracture patterns are stable enough requiring only conservative treatment, other fracture types can cause significant pelvic instability, demanding a more insistent management protocol.

Exploring the decisional needs of patients living with subacromial pain syndrome: A qualitative needs assessment study.

Background: There are a variety of different treatments for patients living with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). All treatments have small to moderate effect sizes, and it is challenging when healthcare practitioners and patients need to decide on which treatment options to choose. The aim of this study was to explore and understand the decisional needs of patients with SAPS, to inform and support the decision-making process.

Diagnostic clues in herpes encephalitis following radiation therapy.

Introduction: Herpes encephalitis is known to affect patients undergoing brain radiotherapy, but early diagnosis and treatment, the foremost determinants of disease outcome, remain challenging in this patient population. This can be due to attribution of symptoms to the brain tumor and radiation side effects, as well as patients' atypical clinical presentation. Here we sought to highlight pearls and pitfalls in the clinical course and diagnostic workup which may facilitate timely diagnosis and improve disease outcome.

Comparative outcomes of endovascular vs. surgical treatment in craniocervical junction dural arteriovenous fistulas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Craniocervical junction dural arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ-DAVFs) are rare and complex vascular malformations that are challenging to diagnose and treat. This study aims to compare surgical and endovascular treatments for CCJ-DAVFs through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.

High prediagnostic dietary intake of vitamin B and vitamin B is associated with favorable prognosis of colorectal cancer among Chinese colorectal cancer patients.

The potential impact of one-carbon metabolism (OCM)-related B vitamins (vitamin B, B, B, and folate) on colorectal cancer survival warrants investigation but research is sparse. This cohort study examined the association between the prediagnostic dietary intakes of OCM-related B vitamins and colorectal cancer survival. A total of 2799 colorectal cancer patients from the Guangdong Colorectal Cancer Cohort, enrolled at baseline in 2010, were followed for mortality outcomes through 2023.

Conquering acceptability: A study of stakeholder inclusion practices in evaluation processes in francophone West African Countries.

Evaluation practices in the French-speaking countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) are poorly understood and infrequently documented. Our study is a descriptive analysis that elucidates how stakeholders are conceptualized and involved in evaluation processes in WAEMU. In these countries, evaluators are concerned about the weak stakeholder involvement in evaluation activity and call for greater stakeholder engagement, juxtaposed to the challenges of doing so.

Assessing stroke-induced abnormal muscle coactivation in the upper limb using the surface EMG co-contraction Index: A systematic review.

Electromyography (EMG) is increasingly used in stroke assessment research, with studies showing that EMG co-contraction (EMG-CC) of upper limb muscles can differentiate stroke patients from healthy individuals and correlates with clinical scales assessing motor function. This suggests that EMG-CC has potential for both assessing motor impairments and monitoring recovery in stroke patients. However, systematic reviews on EMG-CC's effectiveness in stroke assessment are lacking.

Development of micro-nanostructured film with antibacterial, anticorrosive and thermal conductivity properties on copper surface.

A micro-nano sharkskin like film (Cu-MNS-FA) was synthesized on copper surface through chemical etching followed by formate passivation, and its anticorrosive, antibacterial and thermal conductivity properties were investigated. Results show that after 7 d of exposure to nature, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Desulfovibrio vulgaris seawater, the charge transfer resistance of Cu-MNS-FA is more than three times higher than that of unmodified copper. In particular, in D.

Relationship between sleep disorders and information processing speed in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: It is estimated that up to 65 % of pwMS (people with multiple sclerosis) experience varying degrees of cognitive impairment, the most commonly affected domain being Information Processing Speed (IPS). As sleep disturbance is a predictor of detriments in IPS, the authors aimed to study the association between the severity of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) symptoms with IPS in pwMS.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the authors enrolled people with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS referred to the comprehensive MS center of Kashani Hospital in Isfahan, Iran.

Slowly evolving proteins support the monophyly of Craspedida (Choanoflagellatea) and a marine origin of choanoflagellates.

Choanoflagellate species have been taxonomically divided upon the morphological and developmental basis of their extracellular coat (periplast). Species within the order Craspedida possess a purely organic periplast, whereas taxa of the order Acanthoecida have an additional silica based periplast termed the lorica. Whilst small-scale phylogenetic studies have recovered the two orders as monophyletic, recent phylogenomic analyses have rejected the monophyly of the craspedids.

Recent advances in graphitic carbon nitride-based nanocomposites for energy storage and conversion applications.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has gained significant attention as a promising nonmetallic semiconductor photocatalyst due to its photochemical stability, favorable electronic properties, and efficient light absorption. Nevertheless, its practical applications are hindered by limitations such as low specific surface area, rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, poor electrical conductivity, and restricted photo-response ranges. This review explores recent advancements in the synthesis, modification and application of g-C3N4 and its nanocomposites with a focus on addressing these challenges.

Surface receptor-targeted Protein-based nanocarriers for drug delivery: Advances in cancer therapy.

Significant progress has been made in cancer therapy with protein-based nanocarriers targeted directly to surface receptors for drug delivery. The nanocarriers are a potentially effective solution for the potential drawbacks of traditional chemotherapy, such as lack of specificity, side effects, and development resistance. Peptides as nanocarriers have been designed based on their biocompatible, biodegradable, and versatile functions to deliver therapeutic agents into cancer cells, reduce systemic toxicity, and maximize therapy efficacy through utilizing targeted ligands such as antibodies, amino acids, vitamins, and other small molecules onto protein-based nanocarriers and thus ensuring that drugs selectively accumulate in the cancer cells instead of healthy organs/drug release at a target site without effects on normal cells, which inherently caused less systemic toxicity/off-target effect.

Optical properties of quasi-two-dimensional GaAs/AlGaAs nanosheets prepared by releasing epitaxial layer.

Quasi-two-dimensional nanosheets exhibit novel properties and promising applications in optoelectronic flexible devices. Research on non-layered III-V semiconductor nanosheets has been constrained by their covalent bonding connections. In this study, GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction nanosheets were prepared by releasing an epitaxial layer, and their optical properties were investigated by adopting steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopy.

Interface effect based nano-scale TiOvertical synapse device for high-density integration in neuromorphic computing system.

To implement a neuromorphic computing system capable of efficiently processing vast amounts of unstructured data, a significant number of synapse and neuron devices are needed, resulting in increased area demands. Therefore, we developed a nanoscale vertically structured synapse device that supports high-density integration. To realize this synapse device, the interface effects between the resistive switching layer and the electrode were investigated and utilized.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Nonreversal of Stoma in Patients With Crohn's Disease: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Even in the biological era, permanent stoma is not uncommon in patients with Crohn's Disease.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of permanent stoma in Crohn's disease patients and provide clinical evidence for reducing this disabling outcome.

Design: Consecutive patients with Crohn's disease who underwent ostomies in the past decade were reviewed.

The Effect of Ga-Ion Irradiation on Sub-Micron-Wavelength Spin Waves in Yttrium-Iron-Garnet Films.

We investigate the effect of focused-ion-beam (FIB) irradiation on spin waves with sub-micron wavelengths in Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) films. Time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray (TR-STXM) microscopy was used to image the spin waves in irradiated regions and deduce corresponding changes in the magnetic parameters of the film. We find that the changes of Gairradiation can be understood by assuming a few percent change in the effective magnetizationof the film due to a trade-off between changes in anisotropy and effective film thickness.

Corrigendum: Silver nanoparticles directly formed on natural macroporous matrix and their anti-microbial activities (2007, Nanotechnology, 18, 055605).

In the published article "Silver nanoparticles directly formed on natural macroporous matrix and their anti-microbial activities, Nanotechnology 18 (2007) 055605", the figure caption of Figure 8 has an error in immersion time, and the correct caption is given in this Corrigendum.

Mn-Mn Dimers Induced Multimode Emitters in Mn-Activated AZn(PO) (A = K, Rb, and Cs) with Unique [ZnPO] Chains and [ZnO] Groups.

Mn-doped luminescent materials play a significant role in a variety of fields, including modern lighting, displays, and imaging. Mn exhibits a broad and adjustable emission, hinging on the local environment of the crystal field and the interaction of the 3d electrons. However, it is still a challenge to realize the precise control of the emission of Mn ions due to site-prior occupation in a specific lattice.

Lipid-Rapamycin Nanovaccines Overcome the Antidrug Antibody Barrier in Biologic Therapies.

Antidrug antibodies (ADAs) against biologics present a major challenge for sustained biotherapy, including enzyme replacement therapies and adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies. These antibodies arise from undesirable immune responses, leading to altered pharmacokinetics, reduced efficacy, and adverse reactions. In this study, we introduced a rationally designed lipid-rapamycin (Rapa)-based nanovaccine to restore immune tolerance to biologics and overcome drug resistance.

Association between screening for suspected COVID-19 cases and outcomes of patients revisiting the emergency department.

Objectives: Patients who revisit the emergency department (ED) shortly after discharge are a high-risk group for complications and death, and these revisits may have been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Detecting suspected COVID-19 cases in EDs is resource intensive. We examined the associations of screening workload for suspected COVID-19 cases with in-hospital mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admission during short-term ED revisits.