Uveitic macular oedema in ocular tuberculosis patients in a non-endemic country: characteristics, management, and visual Outcomes.

Objective: To describe clinical features, treatment strategies and visual acuity changes of eyes with uveitic macular oedema (UMO) in ocular tuberculosis (OTB) patients from a non-TB-endemic country.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using a 10-year period registry of OTB patients diagnosed in Erasmus MC, Rotterdam. Longitudinal analysis of visual acuity trajectory in eyes with and without UMO was performed using linear mixed effect model.

Canine Best disease as a translational model.

In this review, we summarize the findings of several pre-clinical studies in the canine BEST1 disease model. To this end, client-owned and purpose bred dogs that were compound heterozygotes or homozygotes, respectively, for two or one of 3 different mutations in BEST1 were evaluated by ophthalmic examination, cSLO/sdOCT imaging, and retinal immunohistochemistry to characterize the clinical and microanatomic features of the disease. Subsequently AAV-mediated gene therapy was done to transfer the BEST1 transgene to the RPE under control of a hVMD2 promoter.

Machine-learning methodologies to predict disease progression in chronic hepatitis B in Africa.

Background: Little is known about the determinants of disease progression among African patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We used machine-learning models with longitudinal data to establish predictive algorithms in a well-characterized cohort of Ethiopian HBV-infected patients without baseline liver fibrosis. Disease progression was defined as an increase in liver stiffness to >7.

Scleral Contact Lens Benefits for Myopic Patients With Regular Corneas: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of scleral contact lens (SL) wear on the visual quality and the ocular surface wettability in myopic patients with regular corneas.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study enrolled a total of 80 myopes with regular corneas. Subjects were randomly allocated to wear SL or rigid corneal lens (RCL) for 3 months.

Combined single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging with coronary calcium score for assessing coronary disease.

Purpose: Coronary artery disease (CAD) underestimation represents a major pitfall of single-photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI). Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) has emerged as a sensitive tool for the assessment of suspect CAD; however, the integration of SPECT-MPI with CACS has been seldom evaluated, so far, and was therefore the aim of the present study.

Methods: Patients undergoing SPECT-MPI with CACS and subsequent coronary angiography were included.

Is longer really better? Results of a retrospective real-life cohort study evaluating the benefit of adding a weekly educational session to a traditional 8-week home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme in people with COPD.

Objectives: To evaluate the short-term and long-term benefits of adding a weekly educational session to a traditional 8-week home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programme in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Primary hypothesis was that 8 home-based supervised sessions will be equivalent to 16 home-based supervised sessions at both short- and long-term after PR.

Design: Retrospective cohort study conducted on prospectively collected real-life data, from January 2010 to December 2021.

Cohort profile: creation of the SAIL MELD-B e-cohort (SMC) and SAIL MELD-B children and young adult e-cohort (SMYC) to investigate the lived experience of the 'burdensomeness' of multimorbidity.

Purpose: We have established the SAIL MELD-B electronic cohort (e-cohort SMC) and the SAIL MELD-B children and Young adults e-cohort (SMYC) as a part of the Multidisciplinary Ecosystem to study Lifecourse Determinants and Prevention of Early-onset Burdensome Multimorbidity (MELD-B) project. Each cohort has been created to investigate and develop a deeper understanding of the lived experience of the 'burdensomeness' of multimorbidity by identifying new clusters of burdensomeness concepts, exploring early life risk factors of multimorbidity and modelling hypothetical prevention scenarios.

Participants: The SMC and SMYC are longitudinal e-cohorts created from routinely collected individual-level population-scale anonymised data sources available within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank.

Primary care utilisation in different patients' profiles with cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: This study aimed to identify profiles of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, based on their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and to analyse how their complexity is related to their frequency of visits in Primary Care.

Methods: Observational longitudinal study conducted in the Spanish CArdiovascular Risk factors for HEalth Services research (CARhES) cohort. Individuals older than 15 with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or dyslipidaemia in 2017 were selected and followed until 2021.

Multimodal management and complete resection of invasive Type B3 thymoma with vascular reconstruction: a case report.

Introduction: Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare anterior mediastinal tumours, accounting for 0.2-1.5% of all cancers.

Extending the Lund-Malmö creatinine-based GFR equation to cystatin C - validation results from the European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) cohort of children and adults.

The aim of the present study was to extend the creatinine-based Lund-Malmö GFR equation for use with rescaled cystatin C (r-LMR) and validate it against measured GFR (mGFR) in the EKFC cystatin C cohort of children ( = 2,293) and adults ( = 7,727). Rescaling was obtained by dividing each biomarker by a Q-value, representing the population-specific median biomarker level among healthy individuals. Validation included median bias/precision/accuracy (percent estimates within ±30% of mGFR, P).

Medications and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease: Cohort cluster analysis of 15,428 patients.

Background: Medications for comorbid conditions may affect cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: To explore the association between common medications and cognition, measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination.

Methods: Cohort study including persons with AD from the Swedish Registry for Cognitive/Dementia Disorders (SveDem).

Development of a Multiplex RT-PCR Detection for Six Viruses Infecting Strawberry.

Strawberry viruses are significant pathogenic agents in strawberry. The development and application of efficient virus detection technology can effectively reduce the economic losses incurred by virus diseases for strawberry cultivators. In order to rapidly identify strawberry virus species and prevent the spread of virus disease, a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction system was established for the simultaneous detection and identification of strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV), strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV), strawberry mottle virus (SMoV), strawberry polerovirus 1 (SPV-1), strawberry pallidosis-associated virus (SPaV), and strawberry crinivirus 4 (SCrV-4).

Integrated Approaches for the Delivery of Maternal and Child Health Services with Childhood Immunization Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review Update 2011-2020.

: The integration of maternal and child health services (MCH) with routine immunization is an important global health strategy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, evidence is lacking regarding the best practices for service integration and the effect of integration on immunization and linked health service outcomes. : We searched publication databases and gray literature for articles published between 2011 and 2020 that include approaches to integrating MCH services with immunizations during the first two years of life in LMICs.

Enhanced Detection of Leishmania Parasites in Microscopic Images Using Machine Learning Models.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that poses significant diagnostic challenges due to the variability of results and reliance on operator expertise. This study addresses the development of a system based on machine learning algorithms to detect spp. parasite in direct smear microscopy images, contributing to the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Optimized Synthetic Correlated Diffusion Imaging for Improving Breast Cancer Tumor Delineation.

Breast cancer is a significant cause of death from cancer in women globally, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic imaging to enhance patient outcomes. Accurate tumor identification is essential for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, emphasizing the importance of advanced imaging technologies that provide detailed views of tumor characteristics and disease. Recently, a new imaging modality named synthetic correlated diffusion imaging (CDI) has been showing promise for enhanced prostate cancer delineation when compared to existing MRI imaging modalities.

Coffee Leaf Rust Disease Detection and Implementation of an Edge Device for Pruning Infected Leaves via Deep Learning Algorithms.

Global warming and extreme climate conditions caused by unsuitable temperature and humidity lead to coffee leaf rust () diseases in coffee plantations. Coffee leaf rust is a severe problem that reduces productivity. Currently, pesticide spraying is considered the most effective solution for mitigating coffee leaf rust.

Acoustic Wave Sensor Detection of an Ovarian Cancer Biomarker with Antifouling Surface Chemistry.

Ovarian cancer (OC) must be detected in its early stages when the mortality rate is the lowest to provide patients with the best chance of survival. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a critical OC biomarker since its levels are elevated across all stages and increase with disease progression. This paper presents an LPA assay based on a thickness shear mode acoustic sensor with dissipation monitoring that involves a new thiol molecule 3-(2-mercaptoethanoxy)propanoic acid (HS-MEG-COOH).

Biological Characteristics and Fungicide Screening of Causing Mulberry Anthracnose.

Mulberry is an important economic crop in China that is widely planted and has important edible and medicinal value. Anthracnose, a critical leaf disease, severely compromises the yield and quality of mulberry trees. However, there are many kinds of pathogens causing mulberry anthracnose and it is difficult to control.

Research and Clinical Practice Involving the Use of Products, with Emphasis on Cannabidiol: A Narrative Review.

Background: Emerging evidence supports cannabidiol (CBD) as a promising therapeutic compound for various health conditions, despite its approval as a medication (product for medical purposes) remaining restricted to a limited range of clinical indications. Simultaneously, the regulation of cannabis-derived products for medicinal and recreational use has expanded their global market availability to meet local community demands. This scenario presents a complex challenge for clinicians, researchers, and industry, as the global appeal of therapeutic uses of CBD is growing more rapidly than the scientific evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness.

Involvement of ATF6 in Octreotide-Induced Endothelial Barrier Enhancement.

: Endothelial hyperpermeability is the hallmark of severe disease, including sepsis and acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS). The development of medical countermeasures to treat the corresponding illness is of utmost importance. Synthetic somatostatin analogs (SSA) are FDA-approved drugs prescribed in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and they act via growth hormone (GH) suppression.

The Impact of subsp. on Intestinal Microbial Community Composition and Diversity in Small-Tail Han Sheep.

Paratuberculosis (PTB), primarily caused by subsp. (MAP), is a chronic infection that affects ruminants and is difficult to prevent, diagnose, and treat. Investigating how MAP infections affect the gut microbiota in sheep can aid in the prevention and treatment of ovine PTB.

Pathology and VP2-Based Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Associated with an Outbreak in Layer Chickens in Ghana.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) continues to threaten poultry production globally, with highly virulent strains circulating in many parts of Africa. In this study, molecular characterization was performed on a circulating infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain from an outbreak in a layer flock in Ghana. Layer chicks presented for necropsy had markedly enlarged and hemorrhagic bursae of Fabricius, with necrotic foci and catarrhal exudate on the serosal surface.

Genome-Wide Analysis Reveals Key Genes and MicroRNAs Related to Pathogenic Mechanism in .

is a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause a neglected tropical disease called Lymphatic filariasis. However, the genome of was not well studied, making novel drug development difficult. This study aims to identify microRNA, annotate protein function, and explore the pathogenic mechanism of by genome-wide analysis.

Advancements and Challenges in the Management of Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis: A Review.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is the medical term used to describe a focus of infection involving a valvular substitute within the heart. It is a significant concern in the field of cardiology, and the epidemiology of PVE has seen notable developments over the last five decades. The disease currently affects an older demographic and is becoming increasingly prevalent in patients with transcatheter-implanted valves.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Low Methotrexate Doses for Drug Exposure and Adherence Assessment-Pre-Analytical Variables, Bioanalytical Issues, and Current Clinical Applications.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antifolic agent used in the first line of anti-inflammatory disease treatment and some oncologic issues. The metabolism of MTX is rapid, and the MTX concentration in the blood is not significant 24 h after administration. Unlike this, methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPGs) can be informative biomarkers of drug exposure.