Psychometric comparison of two short versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) in a representative sample of the German population.

Perceived stress is a construct of crucial importance to health and well-being, necessitating the provision of economic, psychometrically sound instruments to assess it in routine clinical practice and large-scale survey studies. Two competing short versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), each consisting of four items, have been proposed. In the present study, we compare the two in a sample representative of the German general population ( = 2,527).

identification of chilli genome encoded MicroRNAs targeting the 16S rRNA and genes of " phytoplasma trifolii.

Phytoplasma, a potentially hazardous pathogen associated with witches' broom, is an economically harmful disease-producing bacteria that damages chilli cultivation. Phytoplasma-infected plants display various symptoms that indicate significant disruptions in normal plant physiology and behaviour. Diseases caused by phytoplasma are widespread and have a major economic impact on crop quality and yield.

Efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in patients with CKD: real-world experience in 93 Italian renal clinics.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are recommended for reducing the renal and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on the positive results reported by clinical trials. However, real-world data on the efficacy and the safety of these drugs in CKD population followed in nephrology setting are lacking.

Methods: We report the effects of dapagliflozin in CKD patients by using data collected during a learning program in which 105 nephrologists added dapagliflozin (10 mg/day) to consecutive patients referred to their renal clinics.

Urine kidney injury molecule-1 predicts subclinical kidney disease among persons living with HIV initiating tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based ART in Zambia.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases the life expectancy of persons living with HIV (PLWH), but not without potentially serious adverse effects. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) can cause nephrotoxicity, manifesting as acute kidney injury (AKI) that may persist after treatment discontinuation. Kidney injury biomarkers such as kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) can aid early diagnosis and predict TDF-associated nephrotoxicity.

Artificial intelligence augmentation raises questions about the future of bronchoscopy.

https://bit.ly/3BAExJs.

Axial length to corneal curvature radius ratio is negatively correlated with choroidal blood flow in myopic children.

Background: The pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying early-onset myopia remain unclear; in this study, we investigate the pathogenesis by examining the interrelationships between axial length to corneal curvature radius ratio ( ) and choroidal blood flow.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 202 eyes from myopic children, categorized into 141 eyes with mild myopia, 47 eyes with moderate myopia, and 14 eyes with high myopia. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to measure choroidal blood flow perfusion within a 6 mm × 6 mm area of the macular region, divided into nine subareas based on ETDRS partitioning: macular fovea, nasal side 1, superior 1, temporal side 1, inferior 1, nasal side 2, superior 2, temporal side 2, and inferior 2.

Effects of basic type of intermittent exotropia on myopic shift in children: a 12-month observational study.

Background: To investigate the effect of basic intermittent exotropia (IXT) on myopic shift in children during 12-month follow-up.

Methods: 165 children aged 4-15 years were recruited prospectively in this study and divided into 3 groups: Group A, consisted of 64 patients with basic IXT without surgery; Group B, consisted of 51 patients 1-month after IXT-corrected surgery; and Group C, consisted of 50 patients without any form of strabismus. All patients underwent assessments of spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), exodeviation, and binocular function relating to accommodation and convergence.

Clinical outcomes from blended care therapy for anxiety and depression in the year after treatment.

Background: Scalable evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression, such as blended care therapy (BCT) that integrate digital tools are effective, but reporting on long-term outcomes is limited.

Method: This pragmatic observational study examined the symptom stability and trajectories of individuals in the year following engagement in a BCT program. Participants included adults with clinical anxiety and/or depression measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

International diet quality index and revised diet quality index relationship with type 2 diabetes disease: a case-control study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health crisis linked to increased cardiovascular risk. Research indicates that better dietary quality-higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and lower intake of processed foods-reduces T2DM risk. This study examines the relationship between T2DM and dietary quality indices (DQI-I and DQI-R) to determine if adherence can lower diabetes risk.

Performance analysis of a wavy fin-and-tube automobile radiator operating on ethylene glycol and water based ternary nanofluids.

Efficient thermal management is crucial for optimizing the performance and longevity of automotive engines, particularly as environmental regulations become more stringent and consumer demand for fuel efficiency increases. This paper investigates the energy and exergy performance of a wavy fin-and-tube radiator employing novel ternary nanofluids (TNFs) for enhanced automotive cooling. A theoretical comparative analysis was performed on four distinct ethylene glycol-water solution-based TNF configurations.

The potential impact of exercise on affect and neuroinflammation in older adults living with fibromyalgia: a scoping review.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a widespread chronic pain condition with prevalence increasing in older adults. Older adults living with FM experience longer pain symptom durations that can negatively impact their quality of life. Affect and neuroinflammation are potential factors that can exacerbate pain symptoms.

The role of autophagy in Graves disease: knowns and unknowns.

Graves disease (GD), an autoimmune disease affects the thyroid gland, results in hyperthyroidisms and goiter. The main cause of GD is not clearly defined; however, stimulating autoantibodies for thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) known as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs) are the primary proposed mechanism. The TSI activation of TSHRs of thyroid gland results in excessive release of thyroid hormones with the subsequent development of hyperthyroidism and goiter.

Nanotechnological Advances in Burn Wound Care: Silver Sulfadiazine-Loaded Nanosuspension-Based Chitosan-Incorporated Nanogel for Partial Thickness Burns.

Burn lesions damage the skin's outermost defensive layer, allowing pathogenic microbes including to infiltrate. Silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is an effective antibacterial agent approved by U.S.

DISCOntinuation of disease-modifying therapies in MS: The DISCOMS extension trial.

Background: In the DISCOMS (DISCOntinuation of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in multiple sclerosis (MS)) randomized clinical trial, we could not demonstrate that discontinuing MS DMTs in older, stable adults was not inferior to continuing DMTs. Relapses were rare in both groups, and most new disease activity was one to two new brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions unassociated with clinical changes.

Objective/aims: Describe results of the DISCOMS extension study.

Evaluating palliative care's role in symptom management for CKD patients in Egypt: A quasi-experimental approach.

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health challenge that affects patients' symptom burden and quality of life. Palliative care interventions show promise in addressing the multiple needs of CKD patients, focusing on symptom management, psychosocial support, and advance care planning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of palliative care interventions in improving symptom management in patients with CKD.

Synthesis of new dihydropyrimidine derivatives and investigation of their antimicrobial and DNA gyrase inhibitory activities.

Quinolone antibiotics are known for their antibacterial activity by inhibiting the enzyme DNA gyrase. Inspired by their mechanism, new compounds combining 1,4-dihydropyrimidine, a quinolone isostere, with pyridine/pyrimidine rings were synthesized. These derivatives showed antibacterial effects, likely through DNA gyrase inhibition, as supported by molecular docking and dynamics simulations.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Pharmacists in Qatar Towards Contraceptives: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Qatar, hormonal contraceptives are available over the counter in community pharmacies. However, improper use, particularly by women with specific health conditions, can result in adverse events. Community pharmacists (CPs) play a role in counseling women and assessing eligibility for contraceptives.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common diagnosis in patients admitted at the memory clinic: Please screen for it!

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects a large portion of middle-aged and older adults. It has been linked to increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. OSA can impair cognitive performance and patients with cognitive complaints can frequently present with this sleep disorder.

Phylogenetic signal in primate tooth enamel proteins and its relevance for paleoproteomics.

Ancient tooth enamel, and to some extent dentin and bone, contain characteristic peptides that persist for long periods of time. In particular, peptides from the enamel proteome (enamelome) have been used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of fossil taxa. However, the enamelome is based on only about 10 genes, whose protein products undergo fragmentation in vivo and post mortem.

Structure-directing effect of terephthalate in bridging Zn(II)- and Cd(II)-based coordination polymers towards application in the detection of trace quantities of Pd in aqueous media and their electrical conductivities.

Energy crisis and environmental pollution are two central themes of contemporary research towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Material chemistry is the chief discipline that can resolve glitches in these areas through the appropriate design of chemical compounds with multifunctional properties. In this regard, two stable coordination polymers (CPs) were synthesised in this work using Zn(II) (3d) and Cd(II) (d) metal nodes with 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate () as the bridging ligand and monodentate pyridyl-N coordinated 9-fluoren-2-yl-pyridin-4-ylmethylene-amine (flpy) as the fluorogenic partner.

Exploring utilities of [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab immunoPET in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

[64Cu]Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab represents a novel immunopositron emission tomography (immunoPET) agent with emerging diagnostic applications in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-expressing breast cancer (BC). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the current diagnostic utilities of [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-trastuzumab PET/computed tomography (CT) and explores tumor uptake metrics in HER2-positive BC lesions. A systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Ovid databases was conducted using relevant keywords to identify eligible studies.

En bloc resection of large bladder tumor: is it feasible and reasonable?

Purpose Of Review: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) remains the basis of bladder tumor diagnosis and an effective means of treating nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). There are several limitations to this procedure: TURBT may cause free floating of malignant cells in the bladder and as a result re-implantation and early recurrence. Also, it does not allow the pathologist to define the correct spatial orientation of the specimen.

Key wound healing genes as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma: an integrated in silico and in vitro study.

Background: Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) is a prevalent gynecologic malignancy with complex molecular underpinnings. This study identifies key woundhealing genes involved in UCEC and elucidates their roles through a comprehensive analysis.

Methods: In silico and in vitro experiments.

Heterotaxy syndrome, dextrocardia, ureteropelvic obstruction, endometriosis, and pulmonary hypertension in an adult with congenital heart defects: a case report.

Background: Heterotaxia is characterized by an abnormal positioning of the thoracic and/or abdominal organs, resulting in various physiological and hemodynamic implications. Congenital heart disease involves structural irregularities in the heart or major vessels within the chest, leading to functional challenges.

Case Presentation: We present a 26-year-old Arab female patient with a complex medical history involving heterotaxy, dextrocardia, congenital heart disease, and ureteropelvic junction obstruction diagnosed in her first year of life, followed by the identification of endometriosis in her early twenties.