Detection and phylogenetic analysis of blood-associated pathogens from spleen samples of wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany.

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) originated in North America and have been introduced to Europe. Due to their close contact with human settlements, they are important reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, such as Baylisascaris procyonis. The relevance and prevalence of vector-borne pathogens have not yet been fully elucidated.

Effect of a minimum floor price law for tobacco products on tobacco sales in Oakland, California, USA: a synthetic difference-in-differences analysis.

Background: In May 2020, Oakland became the most populous city in California to implement a minimum floor price law (MFPL), requiring tobacco retailers to sell cigarettes and cigars at $8 or more per pack/package. Policy enforcement began in August 2020.

Methods: We estimated changes in cigarette and cigar prices and unit sales for Oakland versus a matched comparator during the first 20 months following MFPL implementation using a synthetic difference-in-differences approach.

Inequalities in ownership and availability of home-based vaccination records in 82 low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: Home-based records (HBRs) are widely used for recording health information including child immunisations. We studied levels and inequalities in HBR ownership in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) using data from national surveys conducted since 2010.

Methods: We used data from national household surveys (Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)) from 82 LMICs.

Medical malpractice related to urology: an analysis of court decisions in Turkey.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the lawsuits filed against urologists in Turkey, to reveal the results of these lawsuits and the sub-branch of urology they are related to, to discuss the possible reasons for the lawsuits and what can be done to prevent them.

Materials And Methods: The case outcomes obtained using the keyword "Urology" from the publicly accessible official website of the Presidency of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Turkey between 2018 and 2024 were analyzed by two expert urologists.

Results: Of the 215 cases reviewed, the outcomes of 25 cases that met our inclusion criteria were analyzed.

Implementing HIV teams to improve HIV indicator condition-guided testing in general practitioner centers in the Netherlands.

Background: HIV indicator condition-guided testing is recommended by guidelines to identify undiagnosed HIV infections. However, general practitioners (GPs) frequently see patients for indicator conditions without testing them for HIV. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether implementing HIV teams, using trained GP ambassadors, promoted local HIV indicator condition-guided testing practices in urban GP centers in the Netherlands.

Positive and negative framing of complication risk and long-term outcomes influences decision-making in hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background: The framing effect has been demonstrated in a variety of settings. This study aimed to determine whether framing of complication risk in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and long-term patient satisfaction rates in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) influences patient decision-making and 'worry' using hypothetical vignettes.

Methods: Two cross-sectional survey studies were undertaken, one based on a THA vignette and one based on a TKA vignette.

Outcomes in patients with thrombotic microangiopathy associated with a trigger following plasma exchange: A systematic literature review.

Plasma exchange (PE) outcomes in patients with trigger-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) have not been comprehensively reviewed. Embase and MEDLINE® were searched on 03/14/2022 for English language articles published after 2007, alongside a congress materials search (2019-2022; PROSPERO: CRD42022325170). Studies with patients with trigger-associated TMA (excluding thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, 'typical' hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, post-partum TMA, and TMAs with known genetic cause) who received PE or plasma infusion (PI) and reported treatment response (including measures), safety, patient-/caregiver-reported outcomes, or economic burden data were examined.

Improving pediatric magnetic resonance imaging safety by enhanced non-technical skills and team collaboration.

Background: Safe pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ideally relies on non-sedative techniques, as avoiding risky sedation is inherently safer. However, in practice, sedation often becomes unavoidable, particularly for younger children or those with anxiety, to ensure motion-free, high-quality imaging. This narrative review explores the current practices and proposes strategies to enhance safety in pediatric MRI examinations.

Substance Use and Mental Health in Emerging Adult University Students Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico: A Comparative Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted mental health and substance use patterns, particularly among young adults.

Objective: This study aimed to assess changes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and substance use among university students in Mexico before, during, and after the pandemic.

Methods: Using a repeated cross-sectional design, this study was conducted with university students in Mexico across three periods: pre-pandemic (2017 and 2019); during the pandemic (2021); and post-pandemic (2023).

State Variation in Uptake of Pharmacy-Based CLIA-Waived Testing: Impact of Laws and Regulations.

Community pharmacies have grown to be an increasingly important provider of CLIA-waived tests, just second to physician offices as the venue with the most waivers. Yet, individual variation is still observed across states with respect to the percentage of pharmacies holding a CLIA-waiver, with a reported range of 10.7% in Massachusetts to 87.

The Impact of Longitudinal Substance Use Patterns on the Risk of Opioid Agonist Therapy Discontinuation: A Repeated Measures Latent Class Analysis.

Unlabelled: Polysubstance use is prevalent among individuals on opioid agonist treatment (OAT), yet past studies have focused primarily on distinct substances and their association with OAT retention. Data was collected from two prospective cohorts between 2005 and 2020 in Vancouver, Canada. Among 13,596 visits contributed by 1445 participants receiving OAT, we employed repeated measures latent class analysis using seven indicators and identified four longitudinal substance use classes.

Real-World Effectiveness of Bebtelovimab Versus Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in Outpatients with COVID-19.

Introduction: This real-world study assessed the effectiveness of bebtelovimab (BEB) versus nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NR) among outpatients with COVID-19 during the Omicron variant era.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study evaluating patients treated with BEB or NR from February to August 2022 (study period). Follow-up began the day after treatment and continued for 30 days.

Salmonellosis outbreak associated with the consumption of food at a wedding in an urban restaurant in Kazakhstan: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: From June 13-16, 2022, a regional epidemiological department in Kazakhstan reported an increase in acute gastroenteritis cases among people who consumed food from a wedding at a restaurant. An investigation was initiated to determine factors associated with acute intestinal infection and prevent further illness.

Methods: The investigation team conducted a retrospective cohort study among people who consumed event food.

Outcomes of Acute Subdural Hematoma in Adults with a GCS Score of 3 : An Analysis from Five Regional Trauma Centers.

Objective: Acute Subdural Hematoma (A-SDH) in patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 presents significant challenges in clinical decision-making owing to high mortality rates and the likelihood of severe disability. Here, we analyzed data to assess the number of surgical treatments and overall treatment outcomes for patients with A-SDH admitted in a comatose state and discussed the value of such aggressive surgical interventions based on these findings.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from five regional trauma centers in Korea registered with the Korean Neurotrauma Data Bank System.

Circular-Gate Nanoscale Air Channel Transistors: Achieving ultralow Subthreshold Swing and Working Voltage.

As electronics advance toward higher performance and adaptability in extreme environments, traditional metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) face challenges due to physical constraints such as Boltzmann's law and short-channel effects. Nanoscale air channel transistors (NACTs) present a promising alternative, leveraging their vacuum-like channel and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling characteristics. In this study, a novel circular gate NACT (CG-NACT) is purposed, fabricated on a 4-inch silicon-based wafer using a CMOS-compatible process.

Improving surgical quality of care: learning from 8,331 surgical medical malpractice cases.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of surgical litigation cases and the risk factors that contribute to catastrophic compensation.

Methods: We downloaded and retrieved all cases related to surgical litigation cases from the China Jufaanli Database between 2008 and 2023. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors that may contribute to catastrophic compensation.

Embedded Ethics in Practice: A Toolbox for Integrating the Analysis of Ethical and Social Issues into Healthcare AI Research.

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into critical domains such as healthcare holds immense promise. Nevertheless, significant challenges must be addressed to avoid harm, promote the well-being of individuals and societies, and ensure ethically sound and socially just technology development. Innovative approaches like Embedded Ethics, which refers to integrating ethics and social science into technology development based on interdisciplinary collaboration, are emerging to address issues of bias, transparency, misrepresentation, and more.

The other health care system in Germany: care for people without health insurance.

Background: A large number of people in Germany have no health insurance. Their access to the official healthcare system is significantly more difficult or impossible. Charitable institutions try to provide medical care and create parallel healthcare structures.

The extent of physical and psychological workplace violence experienced by prehospital personnel in Denmark: a survey.

Background: Workplace violence against healthcare workers has been a well-known problem for more than 40 years. This problem is also relevant for prehospital personnel who are at risk of physical and/or psychological violence during work. Violence and threats of violence can have physical and psychological consequences, including personal challenges in their everyday life, use of sick days, reports, and the need for professional help.

Assessment of society's readiness for the legalization of euthanasia, carried out in the field of palliative medicine.

Objective: Aim: To determine the signs of society's readiness to legalize euthanasia for palliative patients by interviewing both the patients themselves and their relatives (caregivers) and specialists who provide medical, psychological, social and spiritual services at the end-of-life.

Patients And Methods: Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using a sociological method among palliative patients of three regions of Ukraine (Lviv, Kyiv and Kharkiv) on a random sample of 377 people surveyed during 2022-2024. The conducted research confirmed and clarified the previous results with greater reliability.

Can Thermal Nonreciprocity Help Radiative Cooling?

Radiative cooling has witnessed substantial progress while its performance is constrained by the thermal reciprocal Kirchhoff's law. Violating Kirchhoff's law to pursue nonreciprocal radiative cooling seems promising; however, the energy conservation requirement and radiant flux integrated over the entire hemisphere make the nonreciprocal benefit insignificant. This commentary discusses the practical limits of nonreciprocal radiative cooling and points toward the future direction of directional radiative cooling.

East London Project: a participatory mixed-method evaluation on how removing enforcement could affect sex workers' safety, health and access to services in East London.

Background: Sex workers' risk of violence and ill-health is shaped by their work environments, community and structural factors, including criminalisation.

Aim: We evaluated the impact of removing police enforcement on sex workers' safety, health and access to services.

Design: Mixed-methods participatory study comprising qualitative research, a prospective cohort study, mathematical modelling and routine data collation.