Laser-Based Length-Measuring Board for the Measurement of Infant Body Length from Outside an Incubator: Proposal and Assessment of a Model.

Introduction: Opening the incubator side wall to insert a non-sterile length-measuring device carries the risk of microbial contamination and thermal instability for preterm infants. To reduce this inconvenience, a laser-based length-measuring board is proposed to measure body length from outside the incubator.

Methods: This device has two laser-line-shaped cursors which can be pointed to opposite ends of a segment to be measured.

Determinants of Neonatal Mortality at a Referral Paediatric Hospital in Angola: A Case-Control Study Using Theoretical Frameworks.

Neonatal mortality rates in developing countries are influenced by a complex array of factors. Despite advancements in healthcare, Angola has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa, with significant contributors including premature birth, intrapartum events, tetanus, and sepsis. This study, utilizing key theoretical frameworks such as intersectionality, social determinants of health (SDOH), and ecosocial theory, aimed to identify the primary causes and contributing factors of neonatal mortality among infants admitted to the Neonatology Service at DBPH in Luanda from May 2022 to June 2023.

Causality of genetically determined glucosamine supplementation on cognition and sarcopenia: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Evidence indicates a negative link between glucosamine and age-related cognitive decline and sarcopenia. However, the causal relationship remains uncertain. This study aims to verify whether glucosamine is causally associated with cognitive function and sarcopenia.

Therapeutic reduction of neurocan in murine intracerebral hemorrhage lesions promotes oligodendrogenesis and functional recovery.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes prominent deposition of extracellular matrix molecules, particularly the chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) member neurocan. In tissue culture, neurocan impedes the properties of oligodendrocytes. Whether therapeutic reduction of neurocan promotes oligodendrogenesis and functional recovery in ICH is unknown.

Subdural hematoma as a complication of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in a pediatric patient: a case report and literature review.

Background: Subdural hematoma (SDH) typically occurs due to traumatic brain injury but can arise as a rare complication of procedures like endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

Case Presentation: We report an unusual case in a 9-year-old male with previous resection of a fourth-ventricle ependymoma at 2 years of age. Seven years post-surgery, he presented with worsening hydrocephalus and underwent ETV.

Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology and Portuguese Society of Human Genetics Joint Clinical Practice Guidelines for Genetic Testing in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies.

The Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology and the Portuguese Society of Human Genetics developed clinical practice guidelines to streamline genetic testing for inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs), underlining the critical role of molecular diagnosis in enhancing patient care. Genetic testing is pivotal in diagnosis, genetic counselling, prognosis and access to clinical trials, and new gene-specific therapies. These guidelines recommend genetic testing in all IRD patients and provide a detailed assessment of available testing methods, ensuring that genetic counselling is integrated into ophthalmic care.

Proximal Humerus Epiphysiolysis as a Rare Cause of Fracture in Childbirth - A Case Report.

Proximal humeral epiphysiolysis (PHE) are rare at 10.1/100,000 births and there are few cases described in the literature. We present the case of a newborn diagnosed with PHE submitted to conservative treatment.

[Mechanism of Astragali Radix in treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on GLP-1/GLP-1R axis].

This study aims to observe the effects of different doses of Astragali Radix on the expression of glucagon(GLP-1) in se-rum and glucagon receptor(GLP-1R) in cartilage tissue in rats with knee osteoarthritis(KOA), explore the effect of Astragali Radix on the inflammation and apoptosis of KOA by regulating GLP-1/GLP-1R signaling axis, and investigate the mechanism of its action in alleviating KOA. Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Astragali Radix groups(3.125, 6.

Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome Is Associated With a Unique Genetic Profile in a Highly Admixed Pediatric Population.

Introduction: The profile of genetic and nongenetic factors associated with progression to kidney failure (KF) in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is largely unknown in admixed populations.

Methods: A total of 101 pediatric patients with primary SRNS were genetically assessed targeting Mendelian causes and status with a 62-NS-gene panel or whole exome sequencing, as well as genetic ancestry. Variant pathogenicity was evaluated using the American College Medical of Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) criteria.

Ketodex: A Game-Changer in Pediatric Sedation for Challenging Airway.

Managing sedation in pediatric patients with complex facial anomalies and airway challenges requires careful consideration of safety and efficacy. This case report presents the use of the Ketodex sedation protocol, combining ketamine (NMDA receptor antagonist) and dexmedetomidine (alpha-2-agonist), for a child with a large cervical/facial mass undergoing a diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ketodex provides effective sedation with minimal need for manipulation of the airway and side effects, making it ideal for cases involving difficult airways.

Comparative Efficacy of Glucosamine-Based Combination Therapies in Alleviating Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

The lack of definitive scientific evidence sustains uncertainty about the efficacy of glucosamine and its combination therapies for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), contributing to an ongoing debate among clinical practice guidelines and healthcare practitioners. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to identify the most effective glucosamine combination therapy for KOA patients. Frequentist random-effects models were employed for this NMA, with standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated for primary outcomes.

Condylar osseous changes following conservative therapies: A cone-beam computed tomography longitudinal study on adult patients with degenerative temporomandibular joint disease.

This retrospective study aimed to comprehensively investigate the impact of non-surgical treatments on condylar osseous changes in adult patients with degenerative joint disease (DJD). Radiographic and clinical data were collected for analysis. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to diagnose DJD, including flattening, erosion, osteophytes, sclerosis and cysts.

Learning from post-COVID-19 condition for epidemic preparedness: a variable catalogue for future post-acute infection syndromes.

Scope: The emergence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) after SARS-CoV-2 infection underscores the critical need for preparedness in addressing future post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS), particularly those linked to epidemic outbreaks. The lack of standardized clinical and epidemiological data during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered timely diagnosis and effective treatment of PCC, highlighting the necessity of pre-emptively standardizing data collection in clinical studies to better define and manage future PAIS. In response, the Cohort Coordination Board, a consortium of European-funded COVID-19 research projects, has reviewed data from PCC studies conducted by its members.

High-Flow Nasal Oxygen vs Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure: The RENOVATE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are commonly used respiratory support therapies for patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Objective: To assess whether HFNO is noninferior to NIV on the rates of endotracheal intubation or death at 7 days in 5 patient groups with ARF.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This noninferiority, randomized clinical trial enrolled hospitalized adults (aged ≥18 years; classified as 5 patient groups with ARF: nonimmunocompromised with hypoxemia, immunocompromised with hypoxemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] exacerbation with respiratory acidosis, acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema [ACPE], or hypoxemic COVID-19, which was added as a separate group on June 26, 2023) at 33 hospitals in Brazil between November 2019 and November 2023 (final follow-up: April 26, 2024).

O-GlcNAcylation of progranulin promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation.

Progranulin (PGRN) is overexpressed and implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development; however, its post-translational modifications and regulatory mechanisms in HCC remain largely unexplored. Here, the expression levels of PGRN, OGT, and O-GlcNAcylation were found to be elevated in both HCC samples and cell lines. LC-MS/MS analysis and immunoprecipitation revealed that PGRN underwent O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification at threonine 272 (Thr272).

Defective in intestinal epithelial cells links to altered fecal microbiota and metabolic shifts during pregnancy in mice.

Throughout gestation, the female body undergoes a series of transformations, including profound alterations in intestinal microbial communities. Changes gradually increase toward the end of pregnancy and comprise reduced α-diversity of microbial communities and an increased propensity for energy harvest. Despite the importance of the intestinal microbiota for the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases, very little is known about the relationship between these microbiota shifts and pregnancy-associated complications of the disease.

Cultural practices impact adherence to complementary feeding guidelines in a multicultural community in Lisbon, Portugal.

Aim: To evaluate agreement with the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) complementary feeding guidelines in a multiethnic community in Lisbon and to identify factors influencing complementary feeding practices among immigrant families.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2022 among caretakers of children aged 6 to 36 months at a primary healthcare facility in Lisbon, Portugal. A questionnaire collected data on demographics, socioeconomic status, complementary feeding practices, and sources of complementary feeding information.

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in European and Indian subcontinent descendent newborns: a retrospective cohort study.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is more common in Asian-descendent populations, but differences in disease severity are poorly reported. Our study aimed to compare neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia severity between European and Indian subcontinent descendent newborns. We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study including newborns admitted with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (January 2016 to December 2021).

The Expression of HPV-16 E5 Oncoprotein Impacts the Transcript Profiles of FGFR2 and EMT-Related Genes in Preneoplastic Anal Epithelium Lesions.

Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCA) is a rare Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-associated carcinoma whose pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Recent studies based on biopsy and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches have linked the viral episomal status to aggressive SCCA phenotypes, suggesting a potential role of the 16E5 oncoprotein in tumor development. Our previous findings indicated that 16E5 induces Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) isoform switching, aberrant mesenchymal FGFR2c expression, Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), and cell invasion in various in vitro human keratinocyte models, as well as in the in vivo context of cervical Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSILs).

Impact of Antibiotic Stewardship on Treatment of Hospitalized Children with Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections.

Background: Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are common infectious syndromes in children. Overusing broad-spectrum antibiotics has contributed to rising antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment outcomes. To address this issue, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been implemented to optimize antibiotic use.