Evaluating vitamin C-related gene-environment and metabolite-environment interaction effects on intraocular pressure in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

High intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important risk factor for glaucoma, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. However, the etiology of high IOP remains uncertain. Metabolites are compounds involved in metabolism which provide a link between the internal (genetic) and external environments.

Clinical performance of class II MOD fiber reinforced resin composite restorations: an 18-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: In recent years, there have been suggestions for new restorative strategies that aim to effectively utilize modern adhesive technologies and protect the remaining intact tooth structure. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical performance of fiber reinforced resin composites in restoring Class II MOD cavities over 18 months.

Methods: Forty-five participants with class II MOD cavities were randomly enrolled.

Oral health in patients with cleft lip and palate: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of periodontal and dental disease and oral microbiota (part 1).

Introduction: Orofacial cleft impacts jawbone and dental development and function, often with consequences for oral health. The first in this two-part systematic review of the literature on oral health in persons with cleft lip and/or palate focuses on periodontal parameters and composition of oral bacterial flora, while the second analyzes data on dental caries.

Materials And Methods: Four databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for studies that compared periodontal parameters, caries index, and microbiota composition between persons with cleft lip and/or palate and healthy controls.

Incidence and factors associated with postoperative headache among adult elective surgical patients at the university of gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia, 2022: a prospective follow-up study.

Background: Postoperative headache is a medical condition that has a strong association with future recurrence and chronic headache, higher morbidity and mortality, extended hospital stays, poor quality of life and high financial burden. Despite, having these consequences, there are limited studies in the study area.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence and associated factors of postoperative headache among adult elective surgical patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest Ethiopia, April 9 to 20 June 2022.

Associations between sedentary behaviour and sarcopenia among patients aged 40 and older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sarcopenia experience poorer clinical prognosis. Although sedentary behaviour (SB) is common risk factor for COPD, its relationship with sarcopenia in this specific population remains unclear.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of participants aged 40 and above with COPD, involving 27 communities and 2 hospitals' outpatient departments.

Unsupervised detection of novel SARS-CoV-2 mutations and lineages in wastewater samples using long-read sequencing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of virus surveillance in public health and wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a non-invasive, cost-effective method for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 and its variants at the community level. Unfortunately, current variant surveillance methods depend heavily on updated genomic databases with data derived from clinical samples, which can become less sensitive and representative as clinical testing and sequencing efforts decline.In this paper, we introduce HERCULES (High-throughput Epidemiological Reconstruction and Clustering for Uncovering Lineages from Environmental SARS-CoV-2), an unsupervised method that uses long-read sequencing of a single 1 Kb fragment of the Spike gene.

Assessment of out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on essential medicines for acute and chronic illness: a comparative study across regional and socioeconomic groups in India.

Background: Substantial out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures push a large portion of the population below the poverty line, especially those residing in rural areas having low incomes. Individuals from economically disadvantaged states in India incur higher healthcare costs for hospitalization in public health centers than do those from more developed states. Economically poorer households in states such as Bihar and Odisha face significantly higher OOP expenditures for hospitalization in public health centers than do those in economically developed states such as Tamil Nadu.

6-thioguanine inhibits EV71 replication by reducing BIRC3-mediated autophagy.

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), and can cause severe cerebral complications and even fatality in children younger than 5 years old. However, there is no specific medication for EV71 infection in clinical practice. Our previous studies had identified the 6-thioguanine (6-TG), an FDA-approved anticancer drug, as a potential antiviral agent, but its anti-EV71 activity is largely unknown, therefore, we aim to explore the antiviral effect of 6-TG on EV71.

Post-therapeutic support and rehabilitation for breast cancer women in complete remission in a thermal resort: study protocol for the PACThe Real-Life conditions observational trial.

Background: Over the past twenty years, the post-cancer rehabilitation has been developed, usually in a hospital setting. Although this allows better care organization and improved security, it is perceived as stressful and restrictive by the "cancer survivor". Therefore, the transfer of benefits to everyday life is more difficult, or even uncertain.

Sedoanalgesia with dexmedetomidine in daily anesthesia practices: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patient safety is important in daily anesthesia practices, and providing deep anesthesia is difficult. Current debates on the optimal anesthetic agents highlight the need for safer alternatives. This study was justified by the need for safer and more effective anesthetic protocols for outpatient hysteroscopic procedures, particularly those conducted outside the operating room.

Sexual dysfunction and quality of life across age groups in multiple sclerosis patients: a prospective cross-sectional analysis.

Introduction: As the most frequent chronic neurological disorder in young adults, Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly affects neurological function, particularly the autonomic nervous system. While the physical symptoms are visible, MS also causes hidden effects like sexual dysfunction. Research indicates that sexual disorders are more prevalent in MS patients compared to other neurological conditions and are approximately five times more common than in the general population.

AI-based analysis of fetal growth restriction in a prospective obstetric cohort quantifies compound risks for perinatal morbidity and mortality and identifies previously unrecognized high risk clinical scenarios.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a leading risk factor for stillbirth, yet the diagnosis of FGR confers considerable prognostic uncertainty, as most infants with FGR do not experience any morbidity. Our objective was to use data from a large, deeply phenotyped observational obstetric cohort to develop a probabilistic graphical model (PGM), a type of "explainable artificial intelligence (AI)", as a potential framework to better understand how interrelated variables contribute to perinatal morbidity risk in FGR.

Methods: Using data from 9,558 pregnancies delivered at ≥ 20 weeks with available outcome data, we derived and validated a PGM using randomly selected sub-cohorts of 80% (n = 7645) and 20% (n = 1,912), respectively, to discriminate cases of FGR resulting in composite perinatal morbidity from those that did not.

Methodological considerations for estimating indirect costs in children and adolescents with chronic conditions: a scoping review.

Background: In children and adolescents, the prevalence of chronic diseases, e.g., obesity, asthma, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), has increased in the last decades.

Associations between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2017-2020.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a primary cause of chronic liver disease, with potential progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although systemic inflammatory biomarkers are associated with liver diseases, their specific role in MASLD remains unclear. This study examines the association between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and MASLD.

Knights in shining armour and (M)others in life jackets: Women's experiences of advocating for care alone when suffering recurrent early pregnancy loss during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: Recurrent early pregnancy loss [rEPL] is a traumatic experience, marked by feelings such as grief and depression, and often anxiety. Despite this, the psychological consequences of rEPL are often overlooked, particularly when considering future reproductive health or approaching subsequent pregnancies. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to significant reconfiguration of maternity care and a negative impact on the perinatal experience, but the specific impact on women's experience of rEPL has yet to be explored.

Silent witnesses: unveiling the epidemic of femicides in North-west Tshwane, South Africa - a decade of analysis.

Background: Femicides, defined as the gender-based killing of women, are a pressing public health issue worldwide, with South Africa experiencing some of the highest rates globally. This study focuses on the North-west region of Tshwane, particularly the Garankuwa area, aiming to address gaps in understanding the epidemiology, demographics, circumstances, and pathology associated with femicides. The Garankuwa mortuary serves as the primary site for this investigation, providing a detailed analysis over a ten-year period, shedding light on contributing risk factors in the context of systemic gender inequality.

The relationship between sarcopenia and mental health status in Chinese older adults: the mediating role of activities of daily living.

Background: Most existing studies focus on either the relationship between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms or sarcopenia and cognitive functions. Few studies have examined depressive symptoms and cognitive functions simultaneously. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sarcopenia and both depressive symptoms and cognitive functions in the elderly by introducing activities of daily living to explore the mediating role of activities of daily living between sarcopenia and mental health.

Explore the factors related to the death of offspring under age five and appraise the hazard of child mortality using machine learning techniques in Bangladesh.

Background: Child mortality is a reliable and significant indicator of a nation's health. Although the child mortality rate in Bangladesh is declining over time, it still needs to drop even more in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Machine Learning models are one of the best tools for making more accurate and efficient forecasts and gaining in-depth knowledge.

Circulating Levels of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) in Schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has emerged as a potential biomarker for schizophrenia (SCZ). However, GDNF levels remain unclear in affected individuals compared to healthy controls. Therefore, we aimed to calculate a pooled estimate of GDNF levels in patients with SCZ in comparison with healthy controls.

Prevalence of common diarrheagenic enterobacteriaceae in Iran (2000-2023): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Bacterial gastroenteritis is a significant public health concern, capable of causing severe infections. Among the various pathogens involved, those belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family are the most frequently isolated and associated with gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of common diarrheagenic Enterobacteriaceae in Iran over the past two decades, from 2000 to 2023.

Solving unknown primary cancer with earlier diagnosis - the SUPER-ED trial: study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial to support earlier diagnosis for people presenting with malignancy of undefined primary origin.

Background: People with malignancy of undefined primary origin (MUO) have a poor prognosis and may undergo a protracted diagnostic workup causing patient distress and high cancer related costs. Not having a primary diagnosis limits timely site-specific treatment and access to precision medicine. There is a need to improve the diagnostic process, and healthcare delivery and support for these patients.

The association between gestational selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment and newborn thyroid screen: a large-scale cohort study.

Background: The diagnosis of depression or anxiety treated by SSRIs has become relatively common in women of childbearing age. However, the impact of gestational SSRI treatment on newborn thyroid function is lacking. We explored the impact of gestational SSRI treatment on newborn thyroid function as measured by the National Newborn Screening (NBS) Program and identified contributory factors.

Fully automated segmentation and classification of renal tumors on CT scans via machine learning.

Background: To develop and test the performance of a fully automated system for classifying renal tumor subtypes via deep machine learning for automated segmentation and classification.

Materials And Methods: The model was developed using computed tomography (CT) images of pathologically proven renal tumors collected from a prospective cohort at a medical center between March 2016 and December 2020. A total of 561 renal tumors were included: 233 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), 82 papillary RCCs, 74 chromophobe RCCs, and 172 angiomyolipomas.

Critical factors influencing live birth rates in fresh embryo transfer for IVF: insights from cluster ensemble algorithms.

Infertility has emerged as a significant global health concern. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) assists numerous infertile couples in conceiving, yet some experience repeated, unsuccessful cycles. This study aims to identify the pivotal clinical factors influencing the success of fresh embryo transfer of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Relationship between age, conditioning intensity, and outcome after allografting in adults age ≥60 years with AML.

Methodological advancements now allow older adults with AML to receive allografts although conflicting data exist regarding relative outcomes across age groups and benefits of different conditioning intensities. We retrospectively analyzed 495 adults aged 60-64 (n = 184), 65-69 (n = 189), or ≥70 (n = 122) allografted for AML in remission at our institution from 2006 to 2023. There were no significant differences in relapse or relapse-free survival (RFS) among the 3 age cohorts after multivariable adjustment.