Feline coronavirus-associated uveitis: The eye as a gateway to systemic spread and feline infectious peritonitis?

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a virus endemic in cat populations. Specific genomic mutations give it a strong tropism for macrophages, allowing systemic infection and the development of a disease known as feline infectious peritonitis. This disease takes various clinical presentations, and can manifest as uveitis.

Tramadol-related fatalities: Metabolic ratios & SNPs/INDELs belonging to UGT1A8, UGT2B7, ABCC2, and SLC22A1.

Genetic polymorphism can cause variation in tramadol (TR) pharmacokinetic characteristics and the expected clinical response. In forensic toxicology, the data about parent and metabolite concentrations (MRs; metabolic ratios) could facilitate to determine the cause of death and to assess time between drug intake and death. In this study, the aim was to investigate if UGT1A8, UGT2B7, ABCC2, and SLC22A1 genotyping can facilitate interpretation by investigating the frequency of UGT1A8, UGT2B7, ABCC2, and SLC22A1 genotypes in forensic autopsy cases positive for TR and to assess whether there is a correlation between these genetic variants and MRs.

LRP1 involvement in FHIT-regulated HER2 signaling in non-small cell lung cancer.

The tumor suppressor fragile histidine triad (FHIT) is frequently lost in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We previously showed that a down-regulation of FHIT causes an up-regulation of the activity of HER2 associated to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and that lung tumor cells harboring a FHIT/pHER2 phenotype are sensitive to anti-HER2 drugs. Here, we sought to decipher the FHIT-regulated HER2 signaling pathway in NSCLC.

Evaluating the effect of viral posts on social media engagement.

As virality has become increasingly central in shaping information sources' strategies, it raises concerns about its consequences for society, particularly when referring to the impact of viral news on the public discourse. Nonetheless, there has been little consideration of whether these viral events genuinely boost the attention received by the source. To address this gap, we analyze content timelines from over 1000 European news outlets from 2018 to 2023 on Facebook and YouTube, employing a Bayesian structural time series model to evaluate the impact of viral posts.

Sc-doped GeTe thin films prepared by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering.

Radio frequency magnetron co-sputtering method employing GeTe and Sc targets was exploited for the deposition of Sc doped GeTe thin films. Different characterization techniques (scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, sheet resistance temperature-dependent measurements, variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry, and laser ablation time-of-flight mass spectrometry) were used to evaluate the properties of as-deposited (amorphous) and annealed (crystalline) Ge-Te-Sc thin films. Prepared amorphous thin films have GeTe, GeTeSc, GeTeSc, GeTeSc and GeTeSc chemical composition.

Pivotal role of exogenous pyruvate in human natural killer cell metabolism.

Resting natural killer (NK) cells display immediate effector functions after recognizing transformed or infected cells. The environmental nutrients and metabolic requirements to sustain these functions are not fully understood. Here, we show that NK cells rely on the use of extracellular pyruvate to support effector functions, signal transduction and cell viability.

Perennial disaster patterns in Central Europe since 2000 and implications for hospital preparedness planning - a cross-sectional analysis.

The goal of this analysis is to describe seasonal disaster patterns in Central Europe in order to raise awareness and improve hospital disaster planning and resilience, particularly during peak events. Hospitals are essential pillars of a country's critical infrastructure, vital for sustaining healthcare services and supporting public well-being-a key issue of national security. Disaster planning for hospitals is crucial to ensure their functionality under special circumstances.

Accelerated aging modulates the toxicological properties of the diazo tattoo pigment PO13.

Pigment particles used in tattooing may exert long terms effect by releasing diffusible degradation products. In the present work, aqueous suspensions of the organic orange diazo pigment PO13 were aged by exposure to simulated sunlight at 40 °C. The morphology and the surface charge of PO13 particles were barely modified upon aging, but primary particles were released by de-agglomeration.

Multiplication rate variation of malaria parasites from hospital cases and community infections.

The significance of multiplication rate variation in malaria parasites needs to be determined, particularly for Plasmodium falciparum, the species that causes most virulent infections. To investigate this, parasites from cases presenting to hospital in The Gambia and from local community infections were culture-established and then tested under exponential growth conditions in a standardised six-day multiplication rate assay. The multiplication rate distribution was lower than seen previously in clinical isolates from another area in West Africa where infection is more highly endemic.

Phytochemical profile and in vitro evaluation of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) foliage as ruminant feed with/without green banana flour.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a crucial crop in tropics and subtropics, primarily cultivated for its tuber. However, its foliage is rich in protein and can supply essential elements for ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical compounds by Gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and the main phenolic by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) present in cassava foliage, along with the fermentation pattern using a semi-automated gas production (GP) system.

Multiscale X-ray scattering elucidates activation and deactivation of oxide-derived copper electrocatalysts for CO reduction.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO) into sustainable fuels and base chemicals requires precise control over and understanding of activity, selectivity and stability descriptors of the electrocatalyst under operation. Identification of the active phase under working conditions, but also deactivation factors after prolonged operation, are of the utmost importance to further improve electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO conversion. Here, we present a multiscale in situ investigation of activation and deactivation pathways of oxide-derived copper electrocatalysts under CO reduction conditions.

Acute severe ulcerative colitis: defining the precise moment for colectomy.

Introduction: Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a critical manifestation of ulcerative colitis (UC), often necessitating colectomy when medical management fails. Despite advancements in therapeutic interventions such as corticosteroids, biologics, and JAK inhibitors, a significant proportion of patients require surgery, with colectomy rates ranging from 10% to 15%.

Areas Covered: This paper reviews the factors influencing the timing and necessity of colectomy in ASUC management, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary decision-making involving gastroenterologists and surgeons.

Lymph node metastasis in level IIb neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma patients: an 11-year retrospective study.

The most common complication associated with selective neck dissection is spinal accessory nerve dysfunction and shoulder disability, which result from level IIb dissection. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of level IIb lymph node metastasis in clinically node-negative (cN0) oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Patients presenting with cN0 OSCC between November 2012 and November 2023 were included retrospectively.

Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate)- and Polystyrene-Based Block Copolymers by Liquid Chromatography under Limiting Conditions of Desorption Gradient.

Size exclusion chromatography-gradient (SEC-Gradient) is a powerful technique to separate polymers by their chemical composition. The stationary phase is first conditioned with a gradient from adsorli to desorli, and polymer samples are injected after the gradient in SEC conditions. Since its first description in 2011 by Schollenberger and Radke, it has never been applied to block copolymers.

Body composition is associated with changes in health-related quality of life in patients with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the association between body composition and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients followed for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Longitudinal data from the Knee and Hip OsteoArthritis Long-term Assessments (KHOALA) cohort, a multicentre cohort of 878 patients with symptomatic knee and/or hip OA, were used. The main outcome criteria were changes in patient-reported outcomes measures, the Study Short Form-36 (physical functioning, pain, mental health and vitality) and the OsteoArthritis Knee and Hip Quality Of Life (OAKHQOL)(physical activity, pain and mental health).

Reliability of the OMERACT Giant cell arteritis Ultrasonography Score (OGUS): results of a patient-based exercise involving experts and non-experts in vascular ultrasonography.

Objective: To test the reliability of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Giant cell arteritis (GCA) Ultrasonography Score (OGUS) and other composite scores in a patient-based exercise involving experts and non-experts in vascular ultrasonography.

Methods: Six GCA patients were scanned twice (two rounds separated ≥3 hours) by 12 experts and 12 non-experts. Non-experts received 90 min of theoretical and 240 min of practical training between rounds 1 and 2.

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

External quality assessment (EQA) cycles are the smallest complete units within EQA programs that laboratories can use to obtain external assessments of their performance. In each cycle, several samples are distributed to the laboratories registered for participation, and ideally, EQA programs not only cover the examination procedures but also the pre- and post-examination procedures. The properties and concentration range of measurands in individual samples are selected with regard to the intended challenge for the participants so that each sample fulfils its purpose.

Behind the scenes of EQA - characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

Providers of external quality assessment (EQA) programs evaluate data or information obtained and reported by participant laboratories using their routine procedures to examine properties or measurands in samples provided for this purpose. EQA samples must offer participants an equal chance to obtain accurate results, while being designed to provide results in clinically relevant ranges. It is the responsibility of the EQA provider to meet the necessary requirements for homogeneity, stability and some other properties of the EQA items in order to offer participants a fair, reliable and technically interesting EQA experience.

Case report: Rare case of laryngeal hypertrophic lichen planus.

Introduction And Importance: Lichen planus is an inflammatory and chronic disease with multifactorial causes. Hypertrophic subtype of lichen planus is an extremely rare lesion when found in the larynx. This article describes the case of a man with such a lesion.

Taxonomic revision of the SK 15 mandible based on bone and tooth structural organization.

The hominin mandible SK 15 was discovered in April 1949 in Swartkrans Member 2, dated to ∼1.4 Ma. Albeit distorted on the right side, the left and right corpus of SK 15 are relatively low and thick, even compared to most Early to Middle Pleistocene Homo specimens.

Topology optimization design of the "Beam Shaping Assembly" of an AB-BNCT facility - application to the case of glioblastoma treatment.

This study aims to determine the optimal structure of the Beam Shaping Assembly (BSA) for an AB-BNCT (Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) facility. The aim is to maximize the possible depth of treatment for glioblastoma while ensuring that a treatment time constraint is not exceeded. Approach.

The need for pediatric sleep education to enhance healthcare for children and adolescents: A global perspective from a survey of members of the international pediatric sleep association.

Introduction: Sleep concerns have become increasingly common over the past few decades. This study outlines the perceived needs and gaps in pediatric sleep education, drawing insights from a diverse international cohort of pediatric sleep health professionals.

Methods: International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) members were invited to complete an online survey examining a variety of topics related to pediatric sleep education developed by the education committee.

EN ISO 15189 revision: EFLM Committee Accreditation and ISO/CEN standards (C: A/ISO) analysis and general remarks on the changes.

The EN ISO 15189:2022 standard, titled "Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence," is a significant update to the regulations for medical laboratories. The revised standard was published on December 6, 2022, replacing both EN ISO 15189:2012 and EN ISO 22870:2016. Key objectives of the revision include: 1.

Quantifying Memory in Spin Glasses.

Rejuvenation and memory, long considered the distinguishing features of spin glasses, have recently been proven to result from the growth of multiple length scales. This insight, enabled by simulations on the Janus II supercomputer, has opened the door to a quantitative analysis. We combine numerical simulations with comparable experiments to introduce two coefficients that quantify memory.