Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Among Hospitalized Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Italy: The Basis for a National Screening Assessment Model?

Free-of-charge hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) screening in some key populations and in 1969-1989 birth cohorts have been funded in Italy as the first step in confirming diagnosis in individuals who may be unaware of their infection. The purpose of this study is to leverage existing in-hospital routine screening data to better understand the distribution of HCV. A retrospective study of hospitalized patients (PTs) tested for HCV Ab for 5 years (from January 2017 to December 2022) in San Raffaele hospital was conducted according to age categories: birth year group before 1947 (patients older than 76 years old), birth year group 1947-1968, birth year group 1969-1989, and two other groups with birth year groups 1990-2000 and 2001-2022 (with patients younger than 33 years old) using the TriNetX platform.

Bayesian Estimation of the True Bovine Brucellosis Prevalence in Vaccinated and Non-Vaccinated Ecuadorian Cattle Populations, and the Sensitivity and Specificity of a Competitive and Indirect ELISA Using a New Synthetic Antigen.

Bovine brucellosis (bB) is a zoonosis mainly caused by the species in cattle. Bovine brucellosis can present with either a range of clinical symptoms, including spontaneous abortions in the last trimester of pregnancy, retained fetal membranes, and decreased milk production, or it can be asymptomatic. In Ecuador, vaccination against bB with S19 and/or RB51 is not mandatory and is the responsibility of the farmer.

Determination of the De Novo Minimum Selection Concentration of Trimethoprim In Vivo for Using A Pilot Study.

We investigated whether the maximum residual levels of trimethoprim permitted in food (Acceptable Daily Intake-ADI) could select for de novo trimethoprim resistance in in vivo. We designed chronic infection models of in and exposed them to sub-ADI doses of trimethoprim through a single-dosing regimen. The emergence of trimethoprim resistance was determined by isolating the target bacteria on selective agar plates, followed by species confirmation using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

A Refined Nomenclature System to Better Discriminate Endo- and Exo-Type Fructanases and Glucanases.

Distinguishing between endo- and exo-type enzymes within the glycoside hydrolase (GH) classification presents significant challenges. Traditional methods, often based on endpoint activity measurements, do not capture the full range of products generated, leading to inconsistencies in classification. Not all exo-acting fructanases and glucanases produce monosaccharides (like fructose or glucose), while endo-acting enzymes do not solely produce higher-degree polymerization oligosaccharides.

A VersaTile Approach to Reprogram the Specificity of the R2-Type Tailocin Towards Different Serotypes of and .

Phage tail-like bacteriocins, or tailocins, provide a competitive advantage to producer cells by killing closely related bacteria. Morphologically similar to headless phages, their narrow target specificity is determined by receptor-binding proteins (RBPs). While RBP engineering has been used to alter the target range of a selected R2 tailocin from , the process is labor-intensive, limiting broader application.

Oral Antibacterial Drug Prescribing in Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services: A Scoping Review.

Background/objectives: The rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a critical threat to global health. Primary care plays a significant role in this crisis, with oral antibacterial drugs among the most prescribed medications. Antibacterial prescribing rates are often high and complicated in out-of-hours (OOH) services, including weekdays outside regular hours, weekends, and holidays, potentially exacerbating AMR.

Evaluation of the Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Cecropin A Natural Peptide on Gram-Negative Bacteria.

In an era dominated by the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, it is increasingly important to look for alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. In light of these considerations, the synergistic use of essential oils and Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) seems a viable strategy. In this study, we assessed the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) of three Essential Oils (EOs): winter savory (), bergamot () and cinnamon () and of the insect antimicrobial peptide Cecropin A (CecA), alone and in combination with EOs, against two Gram-negative ATCC bacterial strains: and serovar Typhimurium.

The Role of Nutrition Across Production Stages to Improve Sow Longevity.

Modern hyperprolific sows are increasingly susceptible to health challenges. Their rapid growth rates predispose them to locomotor disorders, while high metabolic demands, reduced backfat thickness, and increased protein accretion heighten their vulnerability to heat stress and dystocia. Additionally, prolonged farrowing negatively affects the oxidative and inflammatory status of these females.

Precision in Motion Management: Long-Term Local Control and Prognostic Insights in SBRT for Oligometastatic Lung and Liver Metastases.

: Inadequate dosing and respiratory motion contribute to local recurrence for oligometastatic disease (OMD). While short-term LC rates are well-documented, data on long-term LC remain limited. This study investigated long-term LC after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), using respiratory motion management techniques.

Emerging Trends in Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: The New Kids on the Block.

In the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations for 2030, mental health has been identified as a global priority, emphasizing the need to reduce the prevalence, morbidity, and premature mortality associated with mental disorders [...

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Waterborne Diseases in Couffo, Southwestern Benin: The Case of Aplahoué.

Water-related diseases are among the infectious diseases that represent a major public health challenge in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of waterborne diseases and the factors associated with their occurrence in the commune of Aplahoué, located in southwestern Benin. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 125 households selected through simple random sampling in the commune.

Enlightening Nursing Care: A Protocol for a Multicenter Observational Study Measuring Nursing Work in Hospital Settings.

: Rising costs and demands for improved quality of care present complex challenges for existing healthcare systems. The strain on healthcare resources is exacerbated by the increasing complexity of patient conditions. The Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) system classifies inpatients according to clinical and treatment criteria, controls healthcare expenditures, and ensures the sustainability of procedures.

Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Version of Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire in Prostate Cancer Patients.

Background: Prostate cancer is highly prevalent in Spanish men. Although physical activity has benefits on several factors in prostate cancer survivors, this is diminished after medical oncology treatment. Cancer-related fatigue is one of the main barriers to physical activity, leading to a decrease in activity levels in these patients.

Penetrating Orbital Injury: A Narrative Review for Emergency Clinicians.

Penetrating orbit injury is a rare but complex and life-threatening occurrence that may easily be overlooked. Management in the emergency department requires an early multidisciplinary approach but still lacks standard guidelines. This narrative review aims to provide a systematic approach to the management of penetrating orbital injuries for emergency clinicians.

Impact of Nasal Anatomical Variation Subtype on Surgical Outcomes for Rhinogenic Contact Point Headache.

Rhinogenic contact point headache (RCPH) is a controversial secondary headache disorder involving mucosal contact points in the nasal sinuses. The efficacy of surgical versus medical management has been debated, with some studies showing excellent long-term outcomes but others citing placebo effects. This study aimed to clarify the correlation with nasal anatomical variation detected by CT and RCPH treatment outcomes.

Automated AI-based image analysis for quantification and prediction of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis patients.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with rapidly evolving interstitial lung disease (ILD), driving its mortality. Specific imaging-based biomarkers associated with the evolution of lung disease are needed to help predict and quantify ILD.

Methods: We evaluated the potential of an automated ILD quantification system (icolung) from chest CT scans, to help in quantification and prediction of ILD progression in SSc-ILD.

Participatory Action Research to Enhance Patient-Centred Goal Setting in Geriatric Rehabilitation: A Nursing Team's Quest.

Aim: The aim of this study was to provide insights into how, through exploring goal-setting interventions, a nursing team in geriatric rehabilitation might refine their patient-centred strategies.

Design: The study design was participatory action research (PAR).

Method: Team members and nursing students, under the guidance of a facilitator, performed two PAR cycles.

EEG Responses to Upper Limb Pinprick Stimulation in Acute and Early Subacute Motor and Sensorimotor Stroke: A Proof of Concept.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) during pinprick stimulation has the potential to unveil neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor impairments post-stroke. A proof-of-concept study explored event-related peak pinprick amplitude and oscillatory responses in healthy controls and in people with acute and subuacute motor and sensorimotor stroke, their relationship, and to what extent EEG somatosensory responses can predict sensorimotor impairment. In this study, 26 individuals participated, 10 people with an acute and early subacute sensorimotor stroke, 6 people with an acute and early subacute motor stroke, and 10 age-matched controls.

Derivation of human toxicokinetic parameters and internal threshold of toxicological concern for tenuazonic acid through a human intervention trial and hierarchical Bayesian population modeling.

Background: Tenuazonic acid (TeA), a mycotoxin produced by Alternaria alternata, contaminates various food commodities and is known to cause acute and chronic health effects. However, the lack of human toxicokinetic (TK) data and the reliance on external exposure estimates have stalled a comprehensive risk assessment for TeA.

Objective: To bridge this gap, a human TK trial and population-based TK (PopTK) modeling were applied to determine human TK parameters of TeA, and the results were applied for risk screening using population biomonitoring data and threshold of toxicological concern (TTC)-based approaches.

V3+ extends the V3 framework to ensure user-centricity and scalability of sensor-based digital health technologies.

We propose the addition of usability validation to the extended V3 framework, now "V3+", and describe a pragmatic approach to ensuring that sensor-based digital health technologies can be used optimally at scale by diverse users. Alongside the original V3 components (verification; analytical validation; clinical validation), usability validation will ensure user-centricity of digital measurement tools, paving the way for more inclusive, reliable, and trustworthy digital measures within clinical research and clinical care.

Unraveling complexity and leveraging opportunities in uncommon breast cancer subtypes.

Special histologic subtypes of breast cancer (BC) exhibit unique phenotypes and molecular profiles with diagnostic and therapeutic implications, often differing in behavior and clinical trajectory from common BC forms. Novel methodologies, such as artificial intelligence may improve classification. Genetic predisposition plays roles in a subset of cases.