The Venus score for the assessment of the quality and trustworthiness of biomedical datasets.

Biomedical datasets are the mainstays of computational biology and health informatics projects, and can be found on multiple data platforms online or obtained from wet-lab biologists and physicians. The quality and the trustworthiness of these datasets, however, can sometimes be poor, producing bad results in turn, which can harm patients and data subjects. To address this problem, policy-makers, researchers, and consortia have proposed diverse regulations, guidelines, and scores to assess the quality and increase the reliability of datasets.

Inborn errors of immunity (primary immunodeficiencies).

Primary immunodeficiencies (PID), now often referred to as inborn errors of immunity (IEI), are a large heterogeneous group of disorders that result from deficiencies in immune system development and/or function. IEIs can be broadly classified as disorders of adaptive immunity (e.g.

Early childhood caries risk prediction using machine learning approaches in Bangladesh.

Background: In the last years, artificial intelligence (AI) has contributed to improving healthcare including dentistry. The objective of this study was to develop a machine learning (ML) model for early childhood caries (ECC) prediction by identifying crucial health behaviours within mother-child pairs.

Methods: For the analysis, we utilized a representative sample of 724 mothers with children under six years in Bangladesh.

Comparative assessment of a virtual performance measure with self-report and performance-based outcomes in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

Background: The purposes of this study were to examine the reliability and factorial and convergent validity of a virtual performance measure (VPM) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip joint and to compare the known-group validity of the VPM with traditional self-report and performance-based outcomes.

Methods: The VPM score was based on the results of 10 videos showing increasing difficulty in performing specific functional tasks. Patients were requested to choose the video that best reflected their own level of function.

A park-based group mobility program for older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: a qualitative process evaluation of the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial showed that a workshop and 10-week park-based outdoor walk group (OWG) was superior to the workshop and 10 weekly reminders (WR) with increasing walking capacity, but not outdoor walking activity, health-promoting behavior, or successful aging, among older adults with difficulty walking outdoors. The objective of this planned process evaluation was to explore participants' perceptions of mechanisms of impact of and contextual factors influencing experiences with the interventions to help explain the observed intervention effects on study outcomes.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study involving semi-structured interviews conducted at 6-months post-baseline was conducted.

The TRIPOD-LLM reporting guideline for studies using large language models.

Large language models (LLMs) are rapidly being adopted in healthcare, necessitating standardized reporting guidelines. We present transparent reporting of a multivariable model for individual prognosis or diagnosis (TRIPOD)-LLM, an extension of the TRIPOD + artificial intelligence statement, addressing the unique challenges of LLMs in biomedical applications. TRIPOD-LLM provides a comprehensive checklist of 19 main items and 50 subitems, covering key aspects from title to discussion.

Decreased impulsiveness and MEG normalization after AI-digital therapy in ADHD children: a RCT.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents with symptoms like impulsiveness, inattention, and hyperactivity, often affecting children's academic and social functioning. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as digital cognitive therapy, are emerging as complementary treatments for ADHD. The randomized controlled trial explored the impact of an AI-driven digital cognitive program on impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and neurophysiological markers in 41 children aged 8-12 with ADHD.

β-Glucan reprograms neutrophils to promote disease tolerance against influenza A virus.

Disease tolerance is an evolutionarily conserved host defense strategy that preserves tissue integrity and physiology without affecting pathogen load. Unlike host resistance, the mechanisms underlying disease tolerance remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether an adjuvant (β-glucan) can reprogram innate immunity to provide protection against influenza A virus (IAV) infection.

A distinct hypothalamus-habenula circuit governs risk preference.

Appropriate risk evaluation is essential for survival in complex, uncertain environments. Confronted with choosing between certain (safe) and uncertain (risky) options, animals show strong preference for either option consistently across extended time periods. How such risk preference is encoded in the brain remains elusive.

Pre-breeding in alfalfa germplasm develops highly differentiated populations, as revealed by genome-wide microhaplotype markers.

Plant genebanks contain large numbers of germplasm accessions that likely harbor useful alleles or genes absent in commercial plant breeding programs. Broadening the genetic base of commercial alfalfa germplasm with these valuable genetic variations can be achieved by screening the extensive genetic diversity in germplasm collections and enabling maximal recombination among selected genotypes. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and differentiation of germplasm pools selected in northern U.

DJK-5, an anti-biofilm peptide, increases Staphylococcus aureus sensitivity to colistin killing in co-biofilms with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Chronic infections represent a significant global health and economic challenge. Biofilms, which are bacterial communities encased in an extracellular polysaccharide matrix, contribute to approximately 80% of these infections. In particular, pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are frequently co-isolated from the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis and are commonly found in chronic wound infections.

The impact of an interactive online informational and peer support application (app) for patients with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) on quality of life: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) describes bowel dysfunction post-restorative proctectomy (RP) and is associated with poor quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an interactive online informational and peer support App on participants' QoL (primary outcome), LARS, and emotional distress (secondary outcomes).

Methods: A multicentre, randomized, parallel-group trial was conducted across five Canadian colorectal surgery practices.

Assessment of the chemical solubility of experimental and commercial lithium silicate glass-ceramics.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the chemical solubility (CS) and conduct a comprehensive physicochemical characterization of several experimental and commercial lithium silicate-based glass-ceramics towards an understanding of the chemical processes governing dissolution in these glass-ceramics.

Methodology: Glass-ceramic (GC) samples were categorized into two groups: experimental materials featuring lithium metasilicate crystals (GCE1 and GCE2); and five commercial brands relying mostly on lithium disilicate (Celtra®Duo, IPS e.max®CAD, Straumann®n!ce®, CEREC Tessera™, and VITA Suprinity®).

Reimagining Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment: A New Approach to First-line Interventional Therapy.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a prevalent condition leading to male lower urinary tract symptoms (mLUTS), particularly in aging populations. Current management strategies-spanning watchful waiting, pharmaceutical therapy, and surgical interventions such as transurethral resection of the prostate-face significant limitations, including side effects, low adherence, and patient hesitancy toward invasive treatments. First-line interventional therapy (FIT) emerges as a novel paradigm bridging the gap between medications and surgery.

Videolaryngoscopy in paediatrics: in search of the clinical evidence.

Despite the numerous recent trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have not conclusively shown superiority of videolaryngoscopy over other techniques for tracheal intubation of children. Clinical trials have shown significant differences using various outcome measures, but the overall clinical evidence remains weak. An international group of experts is currently working on developing good clinical research practice guidelines for paediatric airway management research, with the ultimate aim of identifying a core set of outcomes to be applied to develop future robust and comparable trials.

Benefit and Harms of Radical Nephroureterectomy as Part of a Multimodal Treatment Strategy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Patients Presenting with Clinical Evidence of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis by the European Association of Urology Guidelines.

Background And Objective: Given the uncertainty regarding the role of radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) as part of a multimodal treatment strategy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients with cN+ disease, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the corresponding literature.

Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, we identified 17 observational comparative and noncomparative studies, published between January 2000 and September 2024, evaluating UTUC patients with cTanyN+M0 disease (P) who received RNU as part of a multimodal treatment strategy (I), as compared with any treatment strategy if applicable (C), to assess oncological or postoperative outcomes (O). Meta-analyses were further performed, as appropriate.

Intrauterine metformin exposure and adiposity outcomes in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The study aims to assess the effect of intrauterine metformin exposure on offspring adiposity measures in childhood.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central were searched from inception to 4 October 2024.

Harmonization of alcohol use data and mortality across a multi-national HIV cohort collaboration.

Background: Alcohol use is measured in diverse ways across settings. Harmonization of measures is necessary to assess effects of alcohol use in multi-cohort collaborations, such as studies of people with HIV (PWH).

Methods: Data were combined from 14 HIV cohort studies (nine European, five North American) participating in the Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration.

Cardiovascular events observed among patients in the etrasimod clinical programme: an integrated safety analysis of patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

Objective: Etrasimod is an oral, once-daily, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). S1P receptor expression on cardiac cells is involved in cardiac conduction. We report cardiovascular treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) associated with S1P receptor modulators and other cardiovascular events in the etrasimod UC clinical programme.

Detection of paediatric skull fractures using POCUS.

A shortcut review of the literature was conducted to examine the sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in detecting paediatric skull fractures. A total of 162 publications were screened by title and abstract, 13 studies underwent full text review, and after review of bibliographies of meta-analyses and systematic reviews, a total of 6 articles were included. Details about the author, date of publication, country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes (skull fracture), results and study limitations were tabulated.

Design of boron nitride/nanocellulose aerogel-stabilized phase change materials for efficient thermal energy capture and storage.

The practical application of polyethylene glycol (PEG) phase change materials (PCMs) necessitates exceptional shape stability, rapid thermal responsiveness, and a substantial thermal storage capacity. The present study focuses on the fabrication of a highly robust cellulose nanofibril (CNF) based aerogel with an ordered structure, serving as a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold for PEG to effectively prevent any potential leakage. Additionally, hydroxyl and amino functional groups are introduced to functionalize boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS-g), which are incorporated into the aerogel to enhance its thermal conductivity.

Milk feeding and calf housing practices on British Columbia dairy farms.

Decades of research have helped inform practices on how to care for calves, but little is known about how well these practices are adopted on commercial dairy farms. The primary aim of this study was to describe rearing practices of dairy calves in British Columbia, Canada. Measures of calf growth are sometimes used to assess success in calf rearing, so a secondary aim was to describe methods used to assess calf growth on these farms.

Lack of correlation between school reopening and trends in adult COVID-19 hospitalisations and death rates during the Delta and early Omicron periods: an ecological analysis of five countries.

Objectives: In this ecological study, we describe SARS-CoV-2 case incidence for school age and adult populations, COVID-19 hospitalisation and death rates during Delta and the early Omicron periods, before and after schools reopened in five countries.

Methods: Data were extracted from government websites. Cases and COVID-19 hospitalisation and death incidence rates were calculated during the Delta and early Omicron periods in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland and the United Kingdom, for two weeks preceding and six weeks after schools reopened.

Imaged capillary isoelectric focusing and online mass spectrometry for milk whey protein characterization in dairy products.

Characterizing major bovine milk proteins, including whey and casein, is of significant interest in the dairy industry. The diverse array of protein proteoforms can be different in terms of genetic variation, breed ways, lactation stage, and animal nutritional status. Current routine methods for bovine milk protein profiling are typically based on immunological techniques, infrared spectroscopy, slab gel isoelectric focusing, capillary electrophoresis, and high-performance liquid chromatography.