Reliability, validity, responsiveness and minimal important changes of common clinical standing balance tests in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Standing balance is essential for physical functioning. Therefore, improving balance control is a key priority in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA), underscoring the importance of accurately assessing standing balance.

Purpose: To assess reliability, construct validity and responsiveness of common clinical balance tests, including Step Test, Single-Leg Stance Test, and Functional Reach Test, in patients with knee OA.

Crispant analysis in zebrafish as a tool for rapid functional screening of disease-causing genes for bone fragility.

Heritable fragile bone disorders (FBDs), ranging from multifactorial to rare monogenic conditions, are characterized by an elevated fracture risk. Validating causative genes and understanding their mechanisms remain challenging. We assessed a semi-high throughput zebrafish screening platform for rapid in vivo functional testing of candidate FBD genes.

Probing Native CB2 Receptor Mobility in Plasma Membranes of Living Cells by Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching.

In this study, we employed a novel fluorescent probe, RO7304924-which selectively targets cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R)-to assess the lateral mobility of CB2R within the plasma membrane of Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing a functional, untagged receptor variant. Utilizing confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), we quantified the diffusion coefficient and mobile fraction of CB2R, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of RO7304924 as an innovative tool for elucidating the dynamics of this major endocannabinoid-binding G protein-coupled receptor. Our present findings highlight the potential of combining advanced ligand-based fluorescent probes with FRAP for future investigations into the biochemical details of CB2R mobility in living cells, and its impact on receptor-dependent cellular processes.

Efficacy and safety of daprodustat in patients on peritoneal dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial.

Background And Hypothesis: Daprodustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with CKD in some parts of the world. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of daprodustat versus darbepoetin alfa in patients with anemia of CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: ASCEND-D (NCT02879305) was an open-label, Phase 3 trial; patients with CKD were randomized to daprodustat daily and epoetin alfa (HD patients) or darbepoetin alfa (PD patients).

Patterns and trends in burden of asthma and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021 among south Asian countries: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Objective: Asthma poses a significant health burden in South Asia, with increasing incidence and mortality despite a global decline in age-standardized prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze asthma trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across South Asia. The study also assesses the impact of risk factors like high body mass index (BMI), smoking, and occupational exposures on asthma outcomes.

Immunohistochemistry-based molecular subtypes of urothelial carcinoma derive different survival benefit from platinum chemotherapy.

Distinct molecular subtypes of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) may show different platinum sensitivities. Currently available data were mostly generated at transcriptome level and have limited comparability to each other. We aimed to determine the platinum sensitivity of molecular subtypes by using the protein expression-based Lund Taxonomy.

Comprehensive review of animal models in diabetes research using chemical agents.

Diabetes mellitus, characterized by insufficient insulin secretion and impaired insulin efficacy, disrupts carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. The global diabetic population is expected to double by 2025, from 380 million, posing a significant health challenge. Most diabetic individuals fall into the type 1 or type 2 categories, and diabetes adversely affects various organs, such as the kidneys, liver, nervous system, reproductive system, and eyes.

Maternal mental disorders, psychotropic drugs, socioeconomic status, and offspring congenital anomalies.

Objective: To evaluate whether there is an association between maternal mental health, purchase of psychotropic drugs, socioeconomic status and major congenital anomalies in offspring.

Methods: A register-based cohort study of 6189 Finnish primiparous women who had a singleton delivery between 2009 and 2015. Data on pregnancy and delivery outcomes, psychiatric diagnosis, prescription drug purchases and offspring congenital anomalies were obtained from Finnish national registers.

Mechanism Analysis of the Effect of Cordycepin on Colorectal Cancer via Network Pharmacology and Experiment.

Objective: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) has attracted much attention due to its high mortality and morbidity. Cordycepin, also known as 3'-deoxyadenosine (3'-dA), exhibits many biological functions, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects. It has been proven to show anticancer activity in both laboratory research studies and living organisms.

Fe3O4-viral-like Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle(Fe3O4-vMSN)-Sustained Release of Lenvatinib for Targeted Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Lenvatinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhib-its receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. It is an emerging first-line treatment agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is no intravenous ad-ministration of Lenvatinib.

Novel Strategies for the Treatment of Lung Cancer: An In-depth Analysis of the Use of Immunotherapy, Precision Medicine, and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Prognoses.

Therapeutic hurdles persist in the fight against lung cancer, although it is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Results are still not up to par, even with the best efforts of conventional medicine, thus new avenues of investigation are required. Examining how immunotherapy, precision medicine, and AI are being used to manage lung cancer, this review shows how these tools can change the game for patients and increase their chances of survival.

A Promising Druggable Target for Translational Therapy of Ovarian Cancer: A Molecular Profiling of Therapeutic Innovations, Extracellular Vesicle Acquired Resistance, and Signaling Pathways.

Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, posing a significant threat to female health. Late-stage diagnoses, driven by elusive symptoms often masquerading as gastrointestinal issues, contribute to a concerning 70% of cases being identified in advanced stages. While early-stage OC brags a 90% cure rate, progression involving pelvic organs or extending beyond the peritoneal cavity drastically diminishes it.

Dietary and Nutritional Aspects of Metabolic Syndrome Management: An Overview.

Sedentary lifestyles and prolonged physical inactivity are often linked to poor mental and physical health as well as an increased risk of a number of chronic illnesses, including cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), as the new disease, has emerged as the world's leading cause of illness. Despite having its roots in the West, this issue has now completely globalized due to the development of the Western way of life throughout the world.

Cu@DPP-SPION: A Novel and Versatile Catalyst for the Synthesis of Thioxo-Tetrahydropyrimidine Derivatives under Mild Reaction Conditions.

Introduction: The development of efficient and sustainable catalytic methodolo-gies has garnered considerable attention in contemporary organic synthesis.

Methods: Herein, we present a novel approach employing the Cu@DPP-SPION catalyst for the synthesis of ethyl 4-(aryl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate derivatives. This versatile catalytic system incorporates copper nanoparticles supported on 4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)benzoic acid-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs).

Improvement in Compatibility and Drug Release Performance of Hot-Melt Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives by Physical Blending Technique.

Background: Hot-melt Pressure-sensitive Adhesives (HMPSA) are eco-friendly pressuresensitive adhesives, with the potential of being used as substrates for transdermal patches. However, due to the low hydrophilicity of HMPSA, the application is limited in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) plasters.

Methods: Three modified HMPSA were prepared with acrylic resin EPO, acrylic resin RL100, and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the modifying materials.

Meta-Analysis: Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Adults With Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is an established dietary therapy for Crohn's disease but its role in ulcerative colitis remains unclear.

Aims: To investigate the efficacy of EEN in adults with active ulcerative colitis and compare variations in treatment protocols, safety, tolerability and adherence.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Emcare, CINAHL, Web of Science and trial registries for articles published from inception until July 21, 2024.

Early Dynamics of Portal Pressure Gradient After TIPS Insertion Predict Mortality.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement leads to a reduction in portal pressure and an improvement in survival in patients with recurrent and refractory ascites and variceal haemorrhage. Prediction of post-TIPS survival is primarily determined by factors identified before the TIPS procedure, as data collected during or after TIPS implantation are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of early hemodynamic changes after TIPS placement on survival, in order to refine post TIPS management.

Percutaneous treatment of de Quervain's disease using Sono-Instruments®: A feasibility study.

We investigated the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous release for de Quervain's disease using Sono-Instruments® in cadaveric specimens. The mean procedure duration was 4 minutes, and complete release was achieved in all specimens.

Care pathway for patients hospitalized with venous thromboembolism.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a potentially fatal disease with a multifactorial nature, impacting different medical and surgical specialties. Recently, new guidelines and direct oral anticoagulants facilitated early discharge for most DVT patients and non-severe PE patients.

Objective: The aim of this study is to illustrate the distribution of VTE patients throughout the hospital and map their care pathway from Emergency Department (ED) to hospital discharge.

Micronutrient status and risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Indonesian tuberculosis case contacts.

Background: Certain micronutrient levels have been associated with the risk of developing TB disease. We explored the possible association of selected at-risk micronutrient levels with the development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection.

A systematic review of variables associated with snakebite risk in spatial and temporal analyses.

Background: Snakebite is a priority neglected tropical disease, but incidence data are lacking; current estimates rely upon incomplete health facility reports or ad hoc surveys. Spatial analysis methods harness statistical associations between case incidence and spatially varying factors to improve estimates. This systematic review aimed to identify variables associated with snakebite risk in spatial and temporal analyses for inclusion in geospatial studies to improve risk estimation accuracy.

Oral Biomimetic Nanotherapeutics for Ulcerative Colitis Targeted Treatment by Repairing Intestinal Epithelial Barrier and Restoring Redox Homeostasis.

The structural disruption of intestinal barrier and excessive reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) generation are two intertwined factors that drive the occurrence and development of ulcerative colitis (UC). Synchronously restoring the intestinal barrier and mitigating excess RONS is a promising strategy for UC management, but its treatment outcomes are still hindered by low drug accumulation and retention in colonic lesions. Inspired by intestine colonizing bacterium, we developed a mucoadhesive probiotic -mimic entinostat-loaded hollow mesopores prussian blue (HMPB) nanotherapeutic (AM@HMPB@E) for UC-targeted therapy via repairing intestinal barrier and scavenging RONS.

Exploring Peripartum Cannabis Use Among Young Sexual Minority People: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Young childbearing sexual minority (SM) people are more likely to use cannabis and to have an unintended pregnancy than their heterosexual peers; however, little is known about their perceptions and experiences of peripartum cannabis use. This qualitative study explores the relationships young pregnant and parenting SM people have with cannabis, as well as their feelings and opinions about prenatal cannabis use.

Method: Participants who identified as SM from baseline surveys of the YoungMoms study were recruited for semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 13).

Engagement in child psychiatry department appointments: An analysis of electronic medical records in one safety-net hospital in New England, USA.

Objective: This study examined whether being scheduled in a screening clinic versus scheduled directly with a long-term provider to conduct a mental health intake (MHI) is associated with engagement in child psychiatry services in New England, USA.

Method: We used electronic medical record data from one safety-net hospital serving a predominantly low-income and minoritised population. The study sample included 815 youths aged 0 to 25 years, referred or scheduled for a MHI between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016.