The impact of kidney disease on peri-operative outcomes of novel BPH surgeries across the board: a propensity score matched analysis using the ACS-NSQIP database.

Background: Pre-operative kidney disease was shown to impact peri-operative outcomes of endoscopic BPH surgeries. We aim to assess the effect of novel surgical techniques (Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (LEP) and Laser Vaporization of the Prostate (LVP)) compared to Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP), on post-operative outcomes stratified based on kidney function.

Methods: The ACS-NSQIP database was reviewed from 2008 to 2021 for 83,020 patients that underwent TURP, LEP, and LVP.

In-situ restructuring of Ni-based metal organic frameworks for photocatalytic CO hydrogenation.

As the global quest for sustainable energy keeps rising, exploring novel efficient and practical photocatalysts remains a research and industrial urge. Particularly, metal organic frameworks were proven to contribute to various stages of the carbon cycle, from CO capture to its conversion. Herein, we report the photo-methanation activity of three isostructural, nickel-based metal organic frameworks incorporating additional niobium, iron, and aluminum sites, having demonstrated exceptional CO capture abilities from thin air in previous reports.

The Toxoplasma rhoptry protein ROP55 is a major virulence factor that prevents lytic host cell death.

Programmed-cell death is an antimicrobial defense mechanism that promotes clearance of intracellular pathogens. Toxoplasma counteracts host immune defenses by secreting effector proteins into host cells; however, how the parasite evades lytic cell death and the effectors involved remain poorly characterized. We identified ROP55, a rhoptry protein that promotes parasite survival by preventing lytic cell death in absence of IFN-γ stimulation.

Lifestyle and Health Behavior Changes in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Role for Mental Health Symptoms and Diagnosis and Daily Life Difficulties During Lockdown in Lebanon.

Several studies report significant changes in lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet results are largely heterogeneous across populations. We examined changes in lifestyle and health behaviors during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Lebanon and assessed whether mental and physical health indicators and outbreak- and lockdown-related factors are related to these changes. Data come from a cross-sectional online survey (May-June 2020) which assessed changes in smoking, alcohol, diet, eating behavior, physical activity, sleep hours, sleep satisfaction, social media use, self-rated health, and life satisfaction ( = 494).

ICU-Acquired Superinfections Before And During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Similarities And Differences.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care units (ICUs) experienced a surge in patients with viral pneumonia, often leading to acute respiratory failure. A global rise in ICU superinfections was observed; however, it remains unclear whether the extensive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants contributed to this rise.

Objectives: We aim to identify clinical factors associated with these superinfections while analyzing epidemiologic patterns of superinfections in two different periods.

A Dynamic Active Site for OER Catalysis at Nickel-Vanadium-Phosphide Depends on V Surface Position and Fe in Alkaline.

Enhancing the rate of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by doping Ni-based electrocatalysts with guest metals other than Fe (V in this work) and the stability of the metal site should be assessed independent of Fe traces and in relation to the guest metal activity in solution. We examined OER catalysis and its sustainability at vanadium-doped nickel phosphide (NiP-V) independent of the role of Fe traces in alkaline. V was included in NiP by codeposition at cathodic bias (termed V) or postdeposition during the phosphide-to-hydroxide surface transformation at anodic bias in alkaline spiked with VCl (termed V).

Public knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward genetically modified foods in Lebanon.

Genetically modified foods (GMFs) have garnered significant attention due to their implications for health, agriculture, and food security. Understanding knowledge and perceptions of GMFs is essential, as these factors influence acceptance and attitudes. This study, the first of its kind in Lebanon, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding GMFs and to explore their association with socio-demographic characteristics.

Mpox primer for clinicians: what makes the difference in 2024?

Purpose Of Review: The 2024 mpox outbreak, primarily driven by the possibly more virulent clade Ib strain, prompted the WHO declaring it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024. This review provides essential guidance for clinicians managing mpox cases, as it contrasts the features of the 2024 outbreak with those of the 2022 epidemic to support better clinical decision-making.

Recent Findings: The review highlights significant differences between the 2024 and 2022 outbreaks, including total case numbers, demographic distribution, and fatality rates.

Diagnostic value of CT scans in pediatric patients with acute non-traumatic altered mental status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans are widely used for evaluating children with acute atraumatic altered mental status (AMS) despite concerns about radiation exposure and limited diagnostic yield. This study aims to assess the efficacy of CT scans in this population and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.

Pediatric Interventions in a Sanfilippo Syndrome Patient Under General Anesthesia: A Case Report.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) Type III (MPS III) or Sanfilippo syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder. This disorder is responsible for lysosomal storage disorder at the cellular aspect. Due to lysosomal enzyme perturbance leading to the alteration of macromolecule metabolisms, this cellular perturbance causes multiple severe systemic and mental outcomes.

Gastric polyps are not created equal: Know your enemy.

Gastric polyps are commonly detected during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. They are most often benign and rarely become malignant. Nevertheless, adequate knowledge, diagnostic modalities, and management strategies should be the endoscopist's readily available "weapons" to defeat the potentially malignant "enemies".

Automated Detection of Filamentous Fungal Keratitis on Whole Slide Images of Potassium Hydroxide Smears with Multiple Instance Learning.

Purpose: The diagnosis of fungal keratitis using potassium hydroxide (KOH) smears of corneal scrapings enables initiation of the correct antimicrobial therapy at the point-of-care but requires time-consuming manual examination and expertise. This study evaluates the efficacy of a deep learning framework, dual stream multiple instance learning (DSMIL), in automating the analysis of whole slide imaging (WSI) of KOH smears for rapid and accurate detection of fungal infections.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Spontaneous Resolution and Recurrence of Aseptic Splenic Abscesses in a Patient With Newly Diagnosed Crohn's Disease.

Aseptic splenic abscesses are rare in the early phases of Crohn's disease and are typically reported in patients with longstanding illness or uncontrolled symptoms despite medical treatment. We present a case of recurrent aseptic splenic abscesses in a young man newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease, whose illness remained well-controlled. This unique case raises questions regarding the spontaneous resolution of aseptic splenic abscesses without steroid therapy and their recurrence without acute Crohn's disease flare-ups.

The mediating role of work-life balance on the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction among Lebanese critical care nurses.

Background: In healthcare settings, particularly in intensive care units, nurses face significant stress due to the high demands of their job. This stress can impact their job satisfaction, mental health, and overall quality of life. Emotional intelligence has been identified as a crucial factor that can mitigate workplace stress and enhance job satisfaction.

Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Muscle Tension Dysphonia: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Objective: To investigate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) in comparison to subjects with no dysphonia.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with MTD at a tertiary referral center between October 2022 and October 2023 were invited to participate in this study, alongside a healthy control group matched by age and gender, with no history of dysphonia.

Minimally Invasive vs Open Surgery for Thoracolumbar Fractures Treatment: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Studies.

Study Design: Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool the available data comparing MIS to open surgery for thoracolumbar fractures and provide a more comprehensive assessment on this topic.

Background: There remains a debate over whether minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open fixation provides superior outcomes for patients with thoracolumbar fractures.

Central nervous system involvement in Whipple's disease: Report of a rare pathological entity and comparative review of treatment strategies and outcomes.

Whipple's disease, caused by the gram-positive actinomycete , is a rare chronic systemic illness with significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly when the CNS is involved. This case report details a 46-year-old man presenting with a constellation of symptoms including fatigue, hypersomnia, weight loss, bifrontal headaches, abdominal pain, treatment-unresponsive diarrhea, and skin hyperpigmentation. Neurological examination revealed oculomasticatory myorhythmia, and imaging studies showed nodular enhancement of the hypothalamus and basal ganglia, along with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy.

The "HAT-TRICK" technique: A modification of soft tissue grafting using volume stable collagen matrix and cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Part B: Clinical applications in the esthetic zone.

Soft tissue deficiency around dental implants can negatively impact outcomes in terms of esthetics and long-term stability. While autogenous connective tissue grafting is still considered the gold standard treatment, alternative approaches are being proposed primarily to enhance patient comfort and avoid invasive procedures such as two-sites surgeries using xenogeneic collagen matrices. Despite the advantages, the quality of the regenerated tissues remains unpredictable and, in many cases, questionable, highlighting the need for alternative and innovative approaches.

Echoes of the blast: A qualitative study of loss and adaptation among bereaved families of the 2020 Beirut explosion.

On August 4, 2020, an explosion in the Beirut Port in Lebanon caused over 220 deaths and 76,000 injuries. The blast, which is considered a national tragedy, had profound impacts on Lebanese citizens, notably the traumatic loss for families who lost a loved one. This qualitative study explored the experiences of loss and adaptation among bereaved families following the Beirut Port explosion from a psychosocial perspective.

Thirty-day unplanned readmissions following hospitalization for atrial fibrillation in a tertiary Syrian center: A real-world observational cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Data regarding 30-day readmission following index admission for AF in the developing world are poorly described.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the rate, predictors, and trends of 30-day readmission after index admission for AF in Syria.

The Impact of the Foveal Bulge on Visual Acuity in Resolved Diabetic Macular Edema and Retinal Vein Occlusions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of foveal bulge presence on visual acuity (VA) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans were conducted on 22 DME patients and 20 RVO patients. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was employed to analyze the association between VA and the presence of the foveal bulge, as well as factors such as sex, age, central foveal thickness, various line scans of the fovea, and the external limiting membrane (ELM).

Angiosarcoma in an Arteriovenous Fistula Following Renal Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor arising from vascular or lymphatic endothelial cells. Angiosarcoma at an arteriovenous fistula site is exceptionally rare. We report a case of a 37-year-old male renal transplant recipient who developed a high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma at the site of an arteriovenous fistula six years post-transplant.

Atypical Presentation of Painless Herpes Zoster in an Elderly Male: A Case Report.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that causes a painful, blistering rash. After a chickenpox infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells. When reactivated, usually in older adults or those with weakened immune systems, it travels along nerves, typically affecting a single strip of skin called a dermatome.

Informational rescaling of PCA maps with application to genetic distance.

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a powerful multivariate tool allowing the projection of data in low-dimensional representations. Nevertheless, datapoint distances on these low-dimensional projections are challenging to interpret. Here, we propose a computationally simple heuristic to transform a map based on standard PCA (when the variables are asymptotically Gaussian) into an entropy-based map where distances are based on mutual information (MI).