Epidemiologic threats and outcome of evolving COVID-19-associated mucormycosis from a referral hospital in Egypt.

Introduction: The present study aimed to explore the epidemiologic threats and factors associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) epidemic that emerged in Egypt during the second COVID-19 wave. The study also aimed to explore the diagnostic features and the role of surgical interventions of CAM on the outcome of the disease in a central referral hospital.

Methodology: The study included 64 CAM patients from a referral hospital for CAM and a similar number of matched controls from COVID-19 patients who did not develop CAM.

Effectiveness of levamisole in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Inflammation plays a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology and anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce the disease severity. Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug with immunomodulatory and possible antiviral effects. This study aimed to evaluate the role of levamisole in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Syndemic, mental health and living with dependent persons in Latin America and Spain: a study with a gender perspective.

Objective: To analyze the sociostructural determinants associated with mental health problems during the lockdown period among populations residing in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Spain who lived with minors or dependents, approached from a gender perspective.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six participating countries via an adapted, self-managed online survey. People living with minors and/or dependents were selected.

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatments enhance the growth, photosynthesis, metabolite accumulation, and nutritional value of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit) leaves.

This study investigated the effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) treatment on the growth, chemical composition, and biological activity of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit) leaves. NTAP was applied at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, exposure time of 15 s, discharge temperature of 25 °C, and power levels (T1 = 50, T2 = 80, and T3 = 120 W).

Arginine metabolism in myeloid cells in health and disease.

Metabolic flexibility is key for the function of myeloid cells. Arginine metabolism is integral to the regulation of myeloid cell responses. Nitric oxide (NO) production from arginine is vital for the antimicrobial and pro-inflammatory responses.

Genetic analysis reveals the genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates from sheep.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae (S. dysgalactiae ) is a common pathogen of humans and various animals. However, the phylogenetic position of animal S.

Proteomic profiling identifies upregulation of aurora kinases causing resistance to taxane-type chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer.

Nowadays, chemotherapy and immunotherapy remain the major treatment strategies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Identifying biomarkers to pre-select and subclassify TNBC patients with distinct chemotherapy responses is essential. In the current study, we performed an unbiased Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) on TNBC cells treated with chemotherapy compounds and found a leading significant increase of phosphor-AURKA/B/C, AURKA, AURKB, and PLK1, which fall into the mitotic kinase group.

Osilodrostat improves blood pressure and glycemic control in patients with Cushing's disease: a pooled analysis of LINC 3 and LINC 4 studies.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of osilodrostat and hypercortisolism control on blood pressure (BP) and glycemic control in patients with Cushing's disease.

Methods: Pooled analysis of two Phase III osilodrostat studies (LINC 3 and LINC 4), both comprising a 48-week core phase and an optional open-label extension. Changes from baseline in systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA) were evaluated during osilodrostat treatment in patients with/without hypertension or diabetes at baseline.

A high-speed MPPT based horse herd optimization algorithm with dynamic linear active disturbance rejection control for PV battery charging system.

This study first proposes an innovative method for optimizing the maximum power extraction from photovoltaic (PV) systems during dynamic and static environmental conditions (DSEC) by applying the horse herd optimization algorithm (HHOA). The HHOA is a bio-inspired technique that mimics the motion cycles of an entire herd of horses. Next, the linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) was applied to monitor the HHOA's reference voltage output.

High-temperature structural disorders stabilize hydrous aluminosilicates in the mantle transition zone.

Hydrous aluminosilicates are important deep water-carriers in sediments subducting into the deep mantle. To date, it remains enigmatic how hydrous aluminosilicates withstand extremely high temperatures in the mantle transition zone. Here we systematically investigate the crystal structures and chemical compositions of typical hydrous aluminosilicates using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalyzer, and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Cathodic tandem alkylation/dearomatization of heterocycles enabled by Al-facilitated carbonyl deoxygenation.

Developing efficient strategies for the deoxygenative functionalization of carbonyl compounds is crucial for enhancing the effective utilization of biomass and the upgrading of chemical feedstocks. In this study, we present an elegant cathodic reduction strategy that enables a tandem alkylation/dearomatization reaction between quinoline derivatives and aryl aldehydes/ketones in a one-pot process. Our approach can be executed via two distinct paths: the aluminum (Al)-facilitated spin-center shift (SCS) path and the Al-facilitated direct deoxygenation path.

Clinically Meaningful Upstaging and Upgrading in Favorable Intermediate-Risk Radical Prostatectomy Patients.

Introduction: In NCCN favorable intermediate-risk (FIR) prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP), we tested the effect of upstaging and upgrading on cancer-specific mortality (CSM).

Methods: Within the SEER database (2010-2021), upstaging (≥pT3a or pN1) and upgrading (ISUP ≥3) rates in FIR RP patients were tabulated. Kaplan-Meier (KM) plots and multivariable Cox-regression models (CRMs) were fitted.

Genetically attenuated parasites show promise as a next-generation malaria vaccine.

Metabolically active, genetically attenuated Plasmodium falciparum parasite lines are promising second-generation malaria vaccine candidates. Lamers et al. and Roozen et al.

Imaging of Pulmonary Vasculitis.

This review will describe various disease processes resulting in pulmonary vasculitis. The clinical and imaging findings in these diseases often overlap with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to pulmonary capillaritis, a common manifestation in many of these diseases. A multidisciplinary approach is important for the correct diagnosis of these diseases, and this review will highlight the important imaging findings that radiologists need to be aware of to aid in this diagnostic process.

Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Aortic Surgery: What You Need to Know.

Background: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), a subtype of acute mesenteric ischemia, is primarily caused by mesenteric arterial vasoconstriction and decreased vascular resistance, leading to impaired intestinal perfusion.Commonly observed after cardiac surgery, NOMI affects older patients with cardiovascular or systemic diseases, accounting for 20-30% of acute mesenteric ischemia cases with a mortality rate of ∼50%. This review explores NOMI's pathophysiology, clinical implications in aortic dissection, and the unmet needs in diagnosis and management, emphasizing its prognostic significance.

Bacillus spp. as microbial factories for levan and fructooligosaccharide production - Recent trends.

Levan is a fructan-type homopolysaccharide that has gained increasing attention due to its unique properties and promising applications. It is a fructose-based polymer produced through microbial fermentation by diverse microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts and archaea. The ongoing research on levan mainly focuses on optimizing production processes, elucidating its biological functions, and uncover novel applications.

Correspondence. Reply to the article "Cornelis S, Mufty S, Peters S. Isolated distal radioulnar joint septic arthritis, the intact triangular fibrocartilaginous complex serving as an anatomical barrier. Hand Surg Rehabil, January 2025.

Cornelis et al. reported an isolated DRUJ infection treated with open surgery to prevent spread to the radiocarpal joint. We suggest that arthroscopy, proven effective in other joint infections and technically feasible for the DRUJ without damaging the TFCC,could have been a less invasive and effective alternative.

The incidence of Popeye Deformity after Soft Tissue Biceps Tenodesis is Comparable to Biceps Anchor Tenodesis and Lower than Biceps Tenotomy During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair- letter to editor.

We have carefully reviewed the article entitled "The incidence of Popeye Deformity after Soft Tissue Biceps Tenodesis is Comparable to Biceps Anchor Tenodesis and Lower than Biceps Tenotomy During Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair" by Hyun Gon Kim et al. and found it very interesting. While we appreciate the authors' efforts, we have some questions about certain aspects of the study methodology that we hope they can address.

Safety and efficacy of satralizumab in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis (LUMINESCE): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

Background: Evidence from preclinical studies suggests that IL-6 signalling has the potential to modulate immunopathogenic mechanisms upstream of autoantibody effector mechanisms in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of satralizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-6 receptor, in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis.

Methods: LUMINESCE was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 3 study at 105 sites, including hospitals and clinics, globally.

Tracing human trait evolution through integrative genomics and temporal annotations.

Understanding the evolution of human traits is a fundamental yet challenging question. In a recent Cell Genomics article, Kun et al. integrate large-scale genomic and phenotypic data, including deep-learning-derived imaging phenotypes, with temporal annotations to estimate the timing of evolutionary changes that led to differences in traits between modern humans and primates or hominin ancestors.