COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2-confirmed hospitalisation in the eastern part of the WHO European Region (2022-2023): a test-negative case-control study from the EuroSAVE network.

Background: Understanding COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing severe disease is critical to inform vaccine policy. We used the test-negative design to estimate VE against SARS-CoV-2-confirmed hospitalisation in adults ≥18 years in the eastern WHO European Region.

Methods: We included patients hospitalised for severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) at sentinel surveillance sites in Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Serbia, and in Kosovo.

Pilot study characterizing a single pooled preparation of equine platelet lysate for nebulization in the horse.

Introduction: Platelet lysate (PL) demonstrates antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties offering potential for treatment of bacterial pneumonia in horses. It remains unknown whether nebulization is suitable for PL administration in horses. This pilot study characterized particle size and flow rate of pooled equine PL (single preparation) nebulized using an equine-specific nebulizer (Flexivent).

Thermally Stable Anthracene-Based 2D/3D Heterostructures for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Bulky organic cations are used in perovskite solar cells as a protective barrier against moisture, oxygen, and ion diffusion. However, bulky cations can introduce thermal instabilities by reacting with the near-surface of the 3D perovskite forming low-dimensional phases, including 2D perovskites, and by diffusing away from the surface into the film. This study explores the thermal stability of CsFAPbI 3D perovskite surfaces treated with two anthracene salts─anthracen-1-ylmethylammonium iodide (AMAI) and 2-(anthracen-1-yl)ethylammonium iodide (AEAI)─and compares them with the widely used phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI).

Renal Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumors Exhibit Distinct Genomic and Epigenomic Features and Lack Recurrent Gene Fusions: Comprehensive Molecular Analysis of a Multi-institutional Series.

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JxGCT) is a rare type of renal neoplasm demonstrating morphologic overlap with some mesenchymal tumors such as glomus tumor (GT) and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). Its oncogenic drivers remain elusive, and only a few cases have been analyzed with modern molecular techniques. In prior studies, loss of chromosomes 9 and 11 appeared to be recurrent.

Histological analysis of retinal development and remodeling in the brown anole lizard (Anolis sagrei).

The fovea, a pit in the retina, is crucial for high-acuity vision in humans and is found in the eyes of other vertebrates, including certain primates, birds, lizards, and fish. Despite its importance for vision, our understanding of the mechanisms involved in fovea development remains limited. Widely used ocular research models lack a foveated retina, and studies on fovea development are mostly limited to histological and molecular studies in primates.

Combined Sequential Antiretroviral Therapy-Induced Immune Reconstitution Bone Loss and Estrogen Deficiency Bone Loss are Cumulative in Mice Models.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) causes osteoporosis and bone fractures, increasing morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV (PLH). ART induces immune reconstitution bone loss (IRBL), an inflammatory reaction associated with immune system reactivation. Women represent >50% of PLH, and many are now undergoing menopause, a major cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis that also increases fracture risk.

Next Generation Phenotyping and Synthetic Faces in Coffin Siris Syndrome.

Diagnostic wandering and delayed management are major issues in rare diseases. Here, we report a new Next-Generation Phenotyping (NGP) model for diagnosing Coffin Siris syndrome (CSS) on clinical photographs among controls and distinguish the different genotypes. This retrospective and prospective study, conducted from 1998 to 2023, included frontal and lateral pictures of confirmed CSS.

Prosthetic considerations and strategies for single tooth implants in the aesthetic zone: a review.

Abutment contours, position, tissue thickness, and volume are all key parameters for the successful restoration of implants in the aesthetic zone. This is particularly true for patients with high smile lines and high aesthetic expectations. This narrative review will provide a synopsis of the known science of implant abutments and peri-implant tissues in this area and cover specialised techniques, materials, and protocols to improve outcomes with increased predictability.

Gender difference in the association between volunteering and health-related quality of life among hearing-impaired older adults in China.

Background: The present study aims to assess the relationship between volunteering and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults with hearing impairment, as well as the gender difference in this association.

Methods: We use data from the sixth Health Service Survey of Shandong Province, China. The survey interviewed 35,264 respondents, from which a total of 1,457 hearing-impaired older adults were included in the study.

Comparative genomics of Fervidobacterium: a new phylogenomic landscape of these wide-spread thermophilic anaerobes.

Background: Fervidobacterium is a genus of thermophilic anaerobic Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria belonging to the phylum Thermotogota. They can grow through fermentation on a wide range of sugars and protein-rich substrates. Some can also break down feather keratin, which has significant biotechnological potential.

Love as a Commitment Device : Evidence from a Cross-Cultural Study across 90 Countries.

Given the ubiquitous nature of love, numerous theories have been proposed to explain its existence. One such theory refers to love as a commitment device, suggesting that romantic love evolved to foster commitment between partners and enhance their reproductive success. In the present study, we investigated this hypothesis using a large-scale sample of 86,310 individual responses collected across 90 countries.

Low-added sugar dietary intervention study to mitigate glucose intolerance and improve body composition in adults with cystic fibrosis: a protocol of a double-blind, randomised study.

Introduction: People with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) are at high risk for developing cystic fibrosis (CF)-related diabetes (CFRD), which worsens morbidity and mortality. Although the pathological events leading to the development of CFRD are complex and not completely understood, dietary factors may play a role. For example, habitual intake of dietary added sugar (i.

Old strategies, new environments: Reinforcement Learning on social media.

The rise of social media has profoundly altered the social world - introducing new behaviours which can satisfy our social needs. However, it is yet unknown whether human social strategies, which are well-adapted to the offline world we developed in, operate as effectively within this new social environment. Here, we describe how the computational framework of Reinforcement Learning can help us to precisely frame this problem and diagnose where behaviour-environment mismatches emerge.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: An Analysis of its Effectiveness on the Reduction of Postoperative Infection in Posterior Spine Surgery.

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been employed for post-surgical wound management across various disciplines, including spinal surgery. However, its efficacy in reducing wound infection rates following posterior thoracolumbar spine surgery remains uncertain.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted at a single institution, examining 266 patients who underwent posterior thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spine surgery performed by one neurosurgeon.

Elucidating Ligand Interactions and Small-Molecule Activation in the Pyrrolnitrin Biosynthetic Enzyme PrnB.

Pyrrolnitrin, a potent antifungal compound originally discovered in Pseudomonas strains, is biosynthesized through a secondary metabolic pathway involving four key enzymes. Central to this process is PrnB, a heme enzyme that catalyzes the complex transformation of 7-Cl-L-tryptophan. Despite its structural similarity to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) and its classification within the histidine-ligated heme-dependent aromatic oxygenase (HDAO) superfamily, PrnB has remained relatively unexplored due to challenges in reconstituting its in vitro activity.

CARE-SD: classifier-based analysis for recognizing provider stigmatizing and doubt marker labels in electronic health records: model development and validation.

Objective: To detect and classify features of stigmatizing and biased language in intensive care electronic health records (EHRs) using natural language processing techniques.

Materials And Methods: We first created a lexicon and regular expression lists from literature-driven stem words for linguistic features of stigmatizing patient labels, doubt markers, and scare quotes within EHRs. The lexicon was further extended using Word2Vec and GPT 3.

STUDY OF ORBITAL NEOPLASMS BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING PROCEDURE.

The neoplasms of the organ of vision are characterized by significant polymorphism, which is due to the histological diversity of the structures in the eye socket. Almost all types of neoplasms described in humans are found in the orbit. The study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with tumors in the eyeball and the eye socket, as well as to determine the superiority of the MRI procedure compared to other instrumental methods of research.

CARVEDILOL IN PATIENTS WITH UNCONTROLLED AND RESISTANT ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION.

Background: The use of beta-blockers in treating resistant hypertension remains poorly understood. While PATHWAY-2 showed a systolic blood pressure benefit with bisoprolol, further research is needed to evaluate other beta-blockers in terms of the effect of systolic blood pressure, assess diastolic blood pressure effects, and guide management in patients intolerant to CCBs as well.

Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Carvedilol (non-selective beta-blocker with alpha-1 blocking function) in the management of resistant hypertension, including in patients intolerant to calcium channel blockers.

SMALL BUT MIGHTY: CHARACTERIZATION OF VB_SPY_7, A LYTIC PHAGE TARGETING STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens necessitates alternative therapies for treating microbial infections, especially in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. Our team has developed Phage Pastilles, a controlled-release formulation containing bacteriophages that target common pathogens, including Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus salivarius, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. coli.

INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF OVARIAN ENDOMETRIOMAS: PRE- AND POST-SURGICAL USE OF DIENOGEST.

Aim: to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated management approach for ovarian endometriomas using Dienogest administered both before and after laparoscopic cyst enucleation in women with infertility.

Materials And Methods: The prospective, comparative clinical trial included 44 patients aged 18-35 years with ovarian endometriomas and infertility. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the study group (20 participants) received Dienogest for six months before and after laparoscopic cyst enucleation, while the control group (24 participants) underwent laparoscopic cyst enucleation without additional hormonal treatment.

BINOCULAR INTERACTION IN AMBLYOPIA.

The review presents new ideas about developmental mechanisms of amblyopia, which are currently discussed in literature. Objective evidence has accumulated that amblyopia affects both monocular and binocular functions in visual processing. Given the increasing evidence of fundamental and clinical research, it is most likely that binocular dysfunction is primary, and monocular reduction is visual acuity is secondary to this disease.

CORRELATION BETWEEN EJECTION FRACTION AND CORONARY SINUS BLOOD FLOW DURING OFF-PUMP CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING SURGERY.

Introduction: Many studies have shown that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) increases the survival rate of patients, but the effect of bypass grafting on cardiac function is still a matter of debate.

Objective: The objective of our study was to determine: a. To what extent can the change in coronary sinus flow be used as an intraoperative criterion for the assessment of adequate revascularization.

STUDY OF ORAL HEALTH AND SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURES FOR PROSTHETIC RESTORATIONS IN METHADONE MAINTENANCE THERAPY BENEFICIARIES AND DRUG USERS.

Introduction: Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) is commonly used to treat opioid addiction but can cause significant oral health issues, including poor oral hygiene, dental caries, periodontal disease, and bone resorption. These issues can negatively impact on overall quality of life, leading to both aesthetic and functional concerns.

Aim Of The Study: This research compares the oral health of individuals in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) with those starting MMT.

PHAGE-BACTERIA INTERACTIONS UNDER METAL STRESS: A STUDY OF THE NOVEL STENOTROPHOMONAS MALTOPHILIA PHAGE VB_STM18.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a highly adaptable gram-negative bacteria, demonstrating resilience in metal-contaminated environment, which makes it a key subject for understanding microbial survival under heavy metal stress. This study investigates the effects of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) on the growth dynamics, cadmium uptake, and bacteriophage vB_Stm18-host interactions, with implications for environmental microbiology and applied biotechnology. Growth analysis revealed that S.