Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of Helix-Fixation Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers.

Background: The growing use of leadless pacemaker (LP) technology requires safe and effective solutions for retrieving and removing these devices over the long term.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate retrieval and removal of an active helix-fixation LP studied in worldwide regulatory clinical trials.

Methods: Subjects enrolled in the LEADLESS II phase 1 investigational device exemption, LEADLESS Observational, or LEADLESS Japan trials with an attempted LP retrieval at least 6 weeks postimplantation were included.

Surgery for giant ovarian cysts in Guyana using single-port laparoscopy: a retrospective case series analysis.

Giant ovarian cysts (GOCs) have become less common in developed countries due to routine health screenings, but they remain prevalent in economically underdeveloped regions. Treatment options for GOCs depend on factors such as age, cyst characteristics, and pregnancy status. Minimally invasive single-port laparoscopic surgery has largely replaced traditional open surgery due to its aesthetic advantages and effectiveness.

An unusual case of dens invaginatus on a mandibular second molar: a case report.

The present case report describes the endodontic treatment of a type III B dens invaginatus (DI) in a three-rooted mandibular second molar since the invagination invades the root and extends apically. Clinical and cone-beam computed tomography examination of the mandibular second molar showed a broadened coronal morphology, DI, a third root, periapical radiolucency, and compression of a distal root canal by the invagination, which developed an atypical semilunar shape. The tooth was diagnosed with pulpal necrosis, symptomatic apical, and peri-invagination periodontitis.

Genetic Diversity and Epidemiology of Enteroviruses and Rhinoviruses in Children Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Infections in Novosibirsk, Russia (2023-2024).

Rhinoviruses and respiratory enteroviruses remain among the leading causes of acute respiratory infections, particularly in children. Little is known about the genetic diversity of enteroviruses and rhinoviruses in pediatric patients with acute respiratory infections in Russia. We assessed the prevalence of human rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (HRV/EV) in 1992 children aged 0 to 17 years hospitalized with acute respiratory infections during the 2023-2024 epidemic season using PCR.

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Uganda in the Era of COVID-19 Vaccination.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has heightened concerns about vaccine efficacy, posing challenges in controlling the spread of COVID-19. As part of the COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness and Variants (COVVAR) study in Uganda, this study aimed to genotype and characterize SARS-CoV-2 variants in patients with COVID-19-like symptoms who tested positive on a real-time PCR. Amplicon deep sequencing was performed on 163 oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs collected from symptomatic patients.

Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification for Point-of-Care Primary Cervical Cancer Screening.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a significant global health concern linked to various cancers, particularly cervical cancer. Timely and accurate detection of HPV is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies. Traditional laboratory-based HPV testing methods often suffer from limitations such as long turnaround times, restricted accessibility, and the need for trained personnel, especially in resource-limited settings.

Establishment of a New Real-Time Molecular Assay for the Detection of Babanki Virus in Africa.

Babanki virus is a subtype of the Sindbis virus, a widespread arthropod-borne alphavirus circulating in Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. Characterized by rashes and arthritis, clinical infections due to Sindbis were mainly reported in Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe. However, its sub-type, Babanki virus, was reported in Northern Europe and Africa, where its epidemiology potential remains poorly understood.

Characterization and Fluctuations of an Ivermectin Binding Site at the Lipid Raft Interface of the N-Terminal Domain (NTD) of the Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Most studies on the docking of ivermectin on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 concern the receptor binding domain (RBD) and, more precisely, the RBD interface recognized by the ACE2 receptor. The N-terminal domain (NTD), which controls the initial attachment of the virus to lipid raft gangliosides, has not received the attention it deserves. In this study, we combined molecular modeling and physicochemical approaches to analyze the mode of interaction of ivermectin with the interface of the NTD-facing lipid rafts of the host cell membrane.

Exclusion of Superinfection or Enhancement of Superinfection in Pestiviruses-APPV Infection Is Not Dependent on ADAM17.

Some viruses can suppress superinfections of their host cells by related or different virus species. The phenomenon of superinfection exclusion can be caused by inhibiting virus attachment, receptor binding and entry, by replication interference, or competition for host cell resources. Blocking attachment and entry not only prevents unproductive double infections but also stops newly produced virions from re-entering the cell post-exocytosis.

Rapid and Visual Screening of Virus Infection in Sugar Beets Through Polerovirus-Induced Gene Silencing.

Since the ban of neonicotinoid insecticides in the European Union, sugar beet production is threatened by outbreaks of virus yellows (VY) disease, caused by several aphid-transmitted viruses, including the polerovirus beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV). As the symptoms induced may vary depending on multiple infections and other stresses, there is an urgent need for fast screening tests to evaluate resistance/tolerance traits in sugar beet accessions. To address this issue, we exploited the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system, by introducing a fragment of a gene involved in chlorophyll synthesis in the BMYV genome.

Evaluation of Safety, Immunogenicity and Cross-Reactive Immunity of OVX836, a Nucleoprotein-Based Universal Influenza Vaccine, in Older Adults.

In a Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled study including healthy participants aged 18-55 years, OVX836, a nucleoprotein (NP)-based candidate vaccine, previously showed a good safety profile, a robust immune response (both humoral and cellular) and a preliminary signal of protection (VE = 84%) against PCR-confirmed symptomatic influenza after a single intramuscular dose of 180 µg, 300 µg or 480 µg. : Using the same methodology, we confirmed the good safety and strong immunogenicity of OVX836 at the same doses in older adults (≥65 years), a key target population for influenza vaccination. : Significant humoral (anti-NP IgG) and cellular (interferon gamma (IFNγ) spot-forming cells per million peripheral blood mononuclear cells and specific CD4 IFNγ T-cells) immune responses were observed at the three dose levels, without clear dose-response relationship.

Epidemiology of Pertussis After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of the Factors Involved in the Resurgence of the Disease in High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Countries.

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease of the respiratory tract that can be prevented by vaccination. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccine coverage rate for the third dose of a DPT-containing vaccine was 86%, with large disparities among countries. Since 2022, many high-income countries have reported a resurgence of pertussis, especially in the European region, but the disease has also caused outbreaks in middle- and low-income countries, despite their less extensive disease surveillance capacities.

Polio Epidemiology: Strategies and Challenges for Polio Eradication Post the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), launched in 1988, has successfully reduced wild poliovirus (WPV) cases by over 99.9%, with WPV type 2 and WPV3 declared eradicated in 2015 and 2019, respectively. However, as of 2024, WPV1 remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Differential Neutralization Profiles of 17DD Vaccinated Population to 17D-204 and 17DD Vaccine Strains.

: Yellow fever virus (YFV) (, ) is the etiologic agent of yellow fever (YF), a vector-borne disease with significant morbidity and mortality across the tropics and neotropics, despite having a highly efficacious and safe vaccine (17D). Vaccination provides lifelong protection from YF disease mediated by humoral immunity. There are several versions of the original 17D vaccine: 17D-204 (marketed in the USA as YF-VAX, in France as Stamaril, and in China as Tiantan-V), 17D-213 (Russian Federation), and 17DD (by FIOCRUZ in Brazil).

Securing the Future of Railway Systems: A Comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy for Critical On-Board and Track-Side Infrastructure.

The growing prevalence of cybersecurity threats is a significant concern for railway systems, which rely on an extensive network of onboard and trackside sensors. These threats have the potential to compromise the safety of railway operations and the integrity of the railway infrastructure itself. This paper aims to examine the current cybersecurity measures in use, identify the key vulnerabilities that they address, and propose solutions for enhancing the security of railway infrastructures.

Evaluating Communication Performance in Rotating Electrical Machines Using RSSI Measurements and Artificial Intelligence.

This paper introduces a novel methodology for evaluating communication performance in rotating electric machines using Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurements coupled with artificial intelligence. The proposed approach focuses on assessing the quality of wireless signals in the complex, dynamic environment inside these machines, where factors like reflections, metallic surfaces, and rotational movements can significantly impact communication. RSSI is used as a key parameter to monitor real-time signal behavior, enabling a detailed analysis of communication reliability.

Concentration vs. Optical Density of ESKAPEE Bacteria: A Method to Determine the Optimum Measurement Wavelength.

Optical density measurement has been used for decades to determine the microorganism concentration and more rarely for mammalian cells. Although this measurement can be carried out at any wavelength, studies report a limited number of measurement wavelengths, mainly around 600 nm, and no consensus seems to be emerging to propose an objective method for determining the optimum measurement wavelength for each microorganism. In this article, we propose a method for analyzing the absorbance spectra of ESKAPEE bacteria and determining the optimum measurement wavelength for each of them.

Machine Learning-Based Modeling of pH-Sensitive Silicon Nanowire (SiNW) for Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET).

The development of ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensors based on silicon nanowires (SiNW) has recently seen significant progress, due to their many advantages such as compact size, low cost, robustness and real-time portability. However, little work has been done to predict the performance of SiNW-ISFET sensors. The present study focuses on predicting the performance of the silicon nanowire (SiNW)-based ISFET sensor using four machine learning techniques, namely multilayer perceptron (MLP), nonlinear regression (NLR), support vector regression (SVR) and extra tree regression (ETR).

Evaluation of WIMU Sensor Performance in Estimating Running Stride and Vertical Stiffness in Football Training Sessions: A Comparison with Smart Insoles.

Temporal parameters are crucial for understanding running performance, especially in elite sports environments. Traditional measurement methods are often labor-intensive and not suitable for field conditions. This study seeks to provide greater clarity in parameter estimation using a single device by comparing it to the gold standard.

MR Elastography Using the Gravitational Transducer.

MR elastography is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides quantitative maps of tissue biomechanical properties, i.e., elasticity and viscosity.

Are Junior Tennis Players Less Exposed to Shocks and Vibrations than Adults? A Pilot Study.

This study investigated muscle activation, shocks, and vibrations of the upper extremities during tennis serves between junior and adult tennis players. Thirty-five well-trained tennis players (15 juniors and 20 adults) performed 10 maximal successful tennis serves. Two triaxial accelerometers recorded the shock and vibration on the racket and the hand on the dominant side.

Selective Detection of Formaldehyde and Nitrogen Dioxide Using Innovative Modeling of SnO Surface Response to Pulsed Temperature Profile.

The need for odor measurement and pollution source identification in various sectors (aeronautic, automobile, healthcare…) has increased in the last decade. Multisensor modules, such as electronic noses, seem to be a promising and inexpensive alternative to traditional sensors that were only sensitive to one gas at a time. However, the selectivity, the non-repetitiveness of their manufacture, and their drift remain major obstacles to the use of electronic noses.

A Combined CNN-LSTM Network for Ship Classification on SAR Images.

Satellite SAR (synthetic aperture radar) imagery offers global coverage and all-weather recording capabilities, making it valuable for applications like remote sensing and maritime surveillance. However, its use in machine learning-based automatic target classification faces challenges, including the limited availability of SAR target training samples and the inherent constraints of SAR images, which provide less detailed features compared to natural images. These issues hinder the effective training of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and complicate the transfer learning process due to the distinct imaging mechanisms of SAR and natural images.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Fexofenadine: A Systematic Review.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride is a widely prescribed drug for treating histamine-mediated allergic reactions. This review systematically collates existing research on the clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) of fexofenadine, with a copious emphasis on examining the impact of stereoisomerism, disease states, and drug interactions. The search engines PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane were scanned systematically for articles concerning the clinical PK of fexofenadine in humans.

Dendrimers: A Themed Issue in Honor of Professor Donald A. Tomalia on the Occasion of His 85th Birthday, Recognizing His Outstanding Achievements in Advancing the Field of Dendrimers.

As the main pioneer in the field of dendrimers, a term that he coined in 1985 in reference to their tree-like structure, Prof. Donald A. Tomalia has inspired several generations of researchers worldwide [.