The nonbinary god: Disaggregating spirituality and Christian religiosity among nonbinary Black womxn (NBBW).

This study examined how 11 nonbinary Black womxn (NBBW) in the United States experience and distinguish between spirituality and religion using an endarkened Black feminist decolonial paradigm and an Afro-Indigenous eco-womxnist cosmological theoretic framework. Data were from Project NBBW, a community-based participatory action research project led by Black sexual and gender minority womxn community members and researchers. We conducted individual semistructured interviews and examined participant's qualitative responses to the following research inquiry: How do NBBW perceive their relationship to spirituality and religion? Participants were 11 NBBW, aged 21-30, living in the United States.

Sacral Alar-Iliac (SAI) screw diameter is not associated with pelvic fixation failure for neuromuscular scoliosis patients.

Purpose: Determine if Sacral Alar-Iliac (SAI) screw diameter is associated with pelvic fixation failure in pediatric patients with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) treated with posterior spinal fusion (PSF).

Methods: NMS patients from a single institution who underwent PSF with bilateral SAI screw fixation from 2010 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters, SAI screw sizes, and radiographic outcomes were analyzed.

Real-world application of CCTA with CT-FFR for coronary assessment pre-TAVI: the CT2TAVI study.

This study aims to evaluate the implementation of concomitant CAD assessment on pre-TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) planning CTA (CT angiography) aided by CT-FFR (CT-fractional flow reserve) [The CT2TAVI protocol] and investigates the incremental value of CT-FFR to coronary CT angiography (CCTA) alone in the evaluation of patients undergoing CT2TAVI. This is a prospective observational real-world cohort study at an academic health system on consecutive patients who underwent CTA for TAVI planning from 1/2021 to 6/2022. This represented a transition period in our health system, from not formally reporting CAD on pre-TAVI planning CTA (Group A) to routinely reporting CAD on pre-TAVI CTA (Group B; CT2TAVI protocol).

Assessing blood metal levels in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) across urban and rural habitats in Meknes.

This study investigates the concentration of heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in the blood of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) across various urban habitats in Meknes, Morocco. Fifty adult sparrows were captured from five distinct sites, including industrial, high-traffic, and rural areas. Blood samples were specifically analyzed for Pb, Cd, and Zn using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES).

ACPA is a main risk factor for CT-proven pulmonary nodule progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To determine the features of rheumatoid pulmonary nodules and the factors associated with nodule progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Between January 2010 and September 2018, RA patients with at least one chest computed tomography (CT) were included. Two experienced radiologists examined chest CTs.

Ovarian function after COVID-19: long-term effects and vaccine safety in ART patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of mild COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on ovarian function in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Specifically, we assessed ovarian outcomes between 9 and 18 months post-infection and investigated the effects of COVID-19 vaccines (inactivated virus and adenovirus) on reproductive parameters.

Methods: The study included two objectives: (a) examining ovarian function in post-COVID-19 patients (9-18 months post-infection) compared to a control group and (b) comparing reproductive outcomes in vaccinated versus unvaccinated patients.

Topical Medications for Chronic Itch in Older Patients: Navigating a Pressing Need.

Chronic itch in older patients is a common problem, with a significant impact on quality of life. Chronic itch in the older population may be attributable to several causes, such as age-related changes, skin conditions, systemic conditions, medications, and psychological conditions. Given the complexity of itch in this population, comorbidities, and polypharmacy in most geriatric patients, treating chronic itch can be challenging for healthcare providers.

Growth trajectory of Yiling sheep and its related genetic parameters.

Growth traits are one of the focuses of sheep breeding, and growth curve is an effective method to describe growth traits. The body weight of Yiling sheep at 0, 120, 180, 360 and 540 days of age were fitted with five common nonlinear growth models: Logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy, Brody and Negative exponential, and the growth models were evaluated by goodness of fit standard. The results showed that the Von Bertalanffy model was suitable for characterizing the growth of Yiling sheep.

Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics provide insights into the biosynthesis of militarine in the cell suspension culture system of Bletilla striata.

Militarine is a monomer molecule with abundant and distinctive biological properties, also the lead member of secondary metabolites in Bletilla striata, while its biosynthesis mechanism is still unknown. To improve the production efficiency of militarine, sodium acetate and salicylic acid (SA) were introduced as elicitors into the suspension-cultured callus of B. striata.

The synergistic effects of citicoline and silymarin on liver injury and thyroid hormone disturbances in γ-irradiated rats.

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation is inevitable due to its extensive use in industrial and medical applications. The search for effective and safe natural therapeutic agents as alternatives to chemical drugs is crucial to mitigate their side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of citicoline as a standalone treatment or in combination with the anti-hepatotoxic drug silymarin in protecting against liver injury caused by γ-radiation in rats.

Responsive cancer care in Asia: stigma and pain must be acknowledged and addressed.

Purpose: This study investigates whether cancer-related stigma and pain among patients with advanced cancer influences their perceptions of receiving responsive care.

Methods: We surveyed 2138 advanced cancer patients from 11 hospitals in eight Asian countries. Participants rated their most recent healthcare visit and a hypothetical patient's experience described in vignettes concerning dignity, clarity of information, and involvement in decision-making.

Utility of MRI in NMIBC and feasibility of avoiding Re-TURB in carefully selected patients: a systematic review.

Objective: This systematic review was conducted to synthesize current research on the role of repeated transurethral resection of the bladder (re-TURB) and the emerging use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in discerning patient suitability for safely foregoing this procedure.

Evidence Acquisition: Employing a methodical literature search, we consulted several bibliographic databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Embase. The review process adhered strictly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines.

Functional characterization of novel anti-DEFA5 monoclonal antibody clones 1A8 and 4F5 in inflammatory bowel disease colitis tissues.

Background: The aberrant expression of α defensin 5 (DEFA5) protein in colonic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) underlies the distinct pathogenesis of Crohn's colitis (CC). It can serve as a biomarker for differentiating CC from Ulcerative colitis (UC), particularly in Indeterminate colitis (IC) cases into UC and CC. We evaluated the specificity of commercially available anti-DEFA5 antibodies, emphasizing the need to further validate their appropriateness for a given application and highlighting the necessity for novel antibodies.

Influence of Ty3/gypsy and Ty1/copia LTR-retrotransposons on the large genomes of Alstroemeriaceae: genome landscape of Bomarea edulis (Tussac) Herb.

Repetitive elements are the main components of many plant genomes and play a crucial role in the variation of genome size and structure, ultimately impacting species diversification and adaptation. Alstroemeriaceae exhibits species with large genomes, not attributed to polyploidy. In this study, we analysed the repetitive fraction of the genome of Bomarea edulis through low-coverage sequencing and in silico characterization, and compared it to the repeats of Alstroemeria longistaminea, a species from a sister genus that has been previously characterized.

[Epidemiology and prevention of oropharyngeal cancer : Summary of the new German S3 guideline].

Due to the association with the causal human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) infection, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is now separated into two distinct entities depending on HPV16 positivity. More recent data show a diversified picture of the importance and prevalence of the surrogate parameter p16 (discordance) for a definitive HPV16 association, which varies worldwide. In the context of preventive options, vaccination is of major importance and HPV screening of healthy people of less importance.

Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Carriers of Triarylmethyl Radical Spin Probes for EPR Oximetry.

measurement and mapping of oxygen levels within the tissues are crucial in understanding the physiopathological processes of numerous diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or peripheral vascular diseases. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) associated with biocompatible exogenous spin probes, such as Ox071 triarylmethyl (TAM) radical, is becoming the new gold standard for oxygen mapping in preclinical settings. However, these probes do not show tissue selectivity when injected systemically, and they are not cell permeable, reporting oxygen from the extracellular compartment only.

Distinct seasonality of nutrients in twigs and leaves of temperate trees.

Seasonal variations of nutrients in different organs are an essential strategy for temperate trees to maintain growth and function. The seasonal variations and variability (i.e.

Prophylaxis of HBV reinfection and disease in liver transplanted patients: 2024 update on the role of HBIG and cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health concern, with liver transplantation (LT) serving as a critical treatment for end-stage liver disease caused by HBV. However, the risk of HBV reinfection after LT remains significant, necessitating effective prophylaxis. Today, the combination of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and high-barrier nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) is the standard of care for preventing HBV recurrence post-LT but concerns about the cost of HBIG and access to high-barrier NUCs have led to a reduction in the use, dose, and duration of HBIG in recent years.

Aryl Borane as a Catalyst for Dehydrative Amide Synthesis.

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane B(CF)·HO is reported as a catalyst for dehydrative amidation of carboxylic acids and amines. This protocol is applicable across a wide range of >35 substrates, including aromatic and aliphatic amines and acids, resulting in amides in ≤92% yields. The scalability of the reaction up to 10 mmol, along with the synthesis of drugs such as ibuprofen amide, moclobemide, and phenacetin, demonstrates the industrial potential of our protocol.

A high-resolution view of RNA endonuclease cleavage in Bacillus subtilis.

RNA endonucleases are the rate-limiting initiator of decay for many bacterial mRNAs. However, the positions of cleavage and their sequence determinants remain elusive even for the well-studied Bacillus subtilis. Here we present two complementary approaches-transcriptome-wide mapping of endoribonucleolytic activity and deep mutational scanning of RNA cleavage sites-that reveal distinct rules governing the specificity among B.

Differences in Biomarkers of Potential Harm After 2+ Years of Tobacco Heating System Use Compared to Cigarette Smoking: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Growing evidence indicates that noncombustible products could be a tobacco harm reduction tool for smokers who do not quit. The Tobacco Heating System (THS) emits substantially lower levels of harmful cigarette smoke constituents, and previous randomized clinical studies showed improved levels of biomarkers of potential harm (BoPH) linked to smoking-related disease.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study of healthy participants (n = 982) who (i) smoked cigarettes, (ii) had voluntarily switched from smoking to THS use, or (iii) formerly smoked, blood and urine samples were assayed for nine BoPH.

Cost-effective evaluation of modified ochre soil and its combination with cationic polyacrylamide for municipal wastewater sludge conditioning.

One of the most costly stages of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants is the treatment and dewatering of waste sludge. Chemical conditioning of sludge, as one of the most widespread methods to enhance sludge dewaterability, accounts for a significant portion of operational expenses due to the consumption of expensive polymeric compounds. This research aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of ochre soil, modified with hydrochloric acid, as an affordable mineral for conditioning waste sludge in an activated sludge system.

Liposomal amphotericin B and complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA).

Infusion reactions (tachycardia, hypertension, fever, etc.) associated with liposomal amphotericin B are common. Animal models have found complement activation responsible, yet the pathophysiology has not been evaluated in human patients.

Prognostic significance of NT-proBNP levels in patients treated with empagliflozin.

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been added to the mainstay of treatment for chronic heart failure. Recent studies suggest that empagliflozin may also reverse cardiac remodeling in heart failure by reducing N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. In our study, we wanted to show the decrease in NT-proBNP levels, which is an indicator of poor prognosis in heart failure, and to see if there was a decrease in the rate of renal progression in patients with HF after empagliflozin use.