Cardiac Biomarkers in a Brazilian Indigenous Population Exposed to Arboviruses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Arthropod-borne viral diseases are acute febrile illnesses, sometimes with chronic effects, that can be debilitating and even fatal worldwide, affecting particularly vulnerable populations. Indigenous communities face not only the burden of these acute febrile illnesses, but also the cardiovascular complications that are worsened by urbanization. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Indigenous population in the Northeast Region of Brazil to explore the association between arboviral infections (dengue, chikungunya, and Zika) and cardiac biomarkers, including cardiotrophin 1, growth differentiation factor 15, lactate dehydrogenase B, fatty-acid-binding protein 3, myoglobin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, big endothelin 1, and creatine kinase-MB, along with clinical and anthropometric factors.

COVID-19 Testing Behavior as a Predictor of COVID-19 Vaccination in Southeastern Louisiana: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Global COVID-19 vaccination effort faces the challenges of vaccine hesitancy and resistance, rooted in misinformation and institutional distrust. Addressing these barriers with customized messaging is essential, yet the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and other health-seeking behaviors, like COVID-19 testing, has been underexplored. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Southeastern Louisiana across 10 pharmacies and clinics in areas with historically high rates of COVID-19 infection.

Integrated Approaches for the Delivery of Maternal and Child Health Services with Childhood Immunization Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review Update 2011-2020.

: The integration of maternal and child health services (MCH) with routine immunization is an important global health strategy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, evidence is lacking regarding the best practices for service integration and the effect of integration on immunization and linked health service outcomes. : We searched publication databases and gray literature for articles published between 2011 and 2020 that include approaches to integrating MCH services with immunizations during the first two years of life in LMICs.

Mesoporous Polydopamine Nano-Bowls Demonstrate a High Entrapment Efficiency and pH-Responsive Release of Paclitaxel for Suppressing A549 Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro.

The effectiveness of paclitaxel (PTX) in treating non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is restricted by its poor pharmacokinetic profile and side effects. This limitation stems from the lack of a suitable delivery vector to efficiently target cancer cells. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop an efficient carrier for the optimised delivery of PTX in NSCLC therapy.

A Thermal Cycler Based on Magnetic Induction Heating and Anti-Freezing Water Cooling for Rapid PCR.

Distinguished by its exceptional sensitivity and specificity, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a pivotal technology for pathogen detection. However, traditional PCR instruments that employ thermoelectric cooling (TEC) are often constrained by cost, efficiency, and performance variability resulting from the fluctuations in ambient temperature. Here, we present a thermal cycler that utilizes electromagnetic induction heating at 50 kHz and anti-freezing water cooling with a velocity of 0.

The Anti-AGEing and RAGEing Potential of Isothiocyanates.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs), found in edible plants such as cruciferous vegetables, are a group of reactive organo-sulfur phytochemicals produced by the hydrolysis of precursors known as glucosinolates. ITCs have been studied extensively both in vivo and in vitro to define their therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic health conditions. Therapeutically, they have shown an intrinsic ability to inhibit oxidative and inflammatory phenotypes to support enhanced health.

Results of Modified Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery, Factors for the First Metatarsal Shortening, and Patients' Satisfaction.

: Hallux valgus is a prevalent foot deformity conventionally treated with open surgical techniques, which carry risk of complications due to extensive soft tissue dissection. Minimally invasive surgeries (MISs) as alternatives offer comparable outcomes, reduced pain, and faster recovery; however, their challenges include the risk of shortening of the first metatarsal. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of our modified MIS hallux valgus correction technique and investigate the factors that affect first metatarsal shortening.

The Influence of Long COVID on the Cardiovascular System and Predictors of Long COVID in Females: Data from the Polish Long COVID Cardiovascular (PoLoCOV-CVD) Study.

Female sex is one of the Long COVID (LC) risk factors; however, the LC predictors in females have not been established. This study was conducted to assess the influence of LC on the cardiovascular system and to assess the age-independent predictors of LC in females. : Patient information and the course of the disease with symptoms were collected in women at least 12 weeks after COVID-19 recovery.

Catheter Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation: Recent Advances.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the leading cause of arrhythmia-related morbidity and mortality. Recurrent symptoms, hospitalizations, and cost burden to patients have necessitated treatments beyond antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) for patients with AF. Catheter ablation has proven to be effective over medical therapy alone; however the recurrence rates for atrial tachyarrhythmias post-ablation remain significant, particularly in patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF.

Nanomedicine in Ophthalmology: From Bench to Bedside.

Ocular diseases such as cataract, refractive error, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy significantly impact vision and quality of life worldwide. Despite advances in conventional treatments, challenges like limited bioavailability, poor patient compliance, and invasive administration methods hinder their effectiveness. Nanomedicine offers a promising solution by enhancing drug delivery to targeted ocular tissues, enabling sustained release, and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Infantile Spasms in Pediatric Down Syndrome: Potential Mechanisms Driving Therapeutic Considerations.

Infantile spasms are common in Down Syndrome (DS), but the mechanisms by which DS predisposes to this devastating epilepsy syndrome are unclear. In general, neuronal excitability and therefore seizure predisposition results from an imbalance of excitation over inhibition in neurons and neural networks of the brain. Animal models provide clues to mechanisms and thereby provide potential therapeutic approaches.

Applying an Indigenous Connectedness Framework to Examine Environmental Risk and Protective Factors for Urban American Indian Children's Executive Function Development.

Indigenous frameworks suggest environmental risk and protective factors for American Indian (AI) children's development can be understood in terms of connecting and disconnecting forces in five domains: spirituality, family, intergenerational ties, community, and environment/land. This study examined the prevalence of these forces among 156 urban AI parents and their children (mean age = 10.69, = 1.

Mental Health Literacy and Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems Among College Students, Nepal.

(1) Background: Research on mental health literacy (MHL) and attitudes toward mental health problems (ATMHP) among non-medical college students in Nepal is limited. This study examined the relationship between MHL and ATMHP, considering demographic variables and familiarity with mental health issues; (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 385 college students from Chitwan and Kathmandu, Nepal, using opportunity sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics examined demographic differences, while Pearson's correlation assessed relationships among latent variables; (3) Results: No relationship was found between MHL and ATMHP (r = -0.

Evaluation of Metronidazole Resistance of Vaginal Swab Isolates from South African Women Treated for Bacterial Vaginosis.

: The high recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis (BV) after antibiotic treatment is at least partially attributed to resistant bacteria. The CAPRISA 083 (CAP083) study investigated the influence of metronidazole (MTZ) treatment on the vaginal microbiome in 56 South African women diagnosed with BV. To explore the etiology of recurrent BV in this cohort, we retrospectively analyzed vaginal swabs collected in CAP083 before and after MTZ treatment.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Methodologies for Early Diagnostic Precision and Personalized Therapeutic Strategies in Neuro-Ophthalmic and Neurodegenerative Pathologies.

Advancements in neuroimaging, particularly diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), have significantly enhanced the early detection of biomarkers in neurodegenerative and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease. This review highlights the transformative role of advanced diffusion MRI techniques-Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging-in identifying subtle microstructural changes in the brain and visual pathways that precede clinical symptoms.

Personalized Dose Selection for Treatment of Patients with Neuropsychiatric Disorders Using tDCS.

: Individualizing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) parameters can improve precision in neuropsychiatric disorders. One important decision for the clinician is the selection of an appropriate montage-conventional or high-definition (HD)-to implement dose-controlled tDCS while maintaining the patient's safety. : The present study simulated tDCS administration using T1-weighted brain images of 50 dementia, 25 depression patients, and 25 healthy individuals for two conventional and HD montages, targeting the regions of interest (ROIs) in the dorsal and ventral pathways that support language processing.

Rapid Detection of Fusions in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: CRISPR/Cas9 Nanopore Sequencing with Adaptive Sampling.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) accounts for approximately 10-15% of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia cases and presents with coagulopathy and bleeding. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required to minimize early mortality in APL as initiation of all-trans retinoic acid therapy rapidly reverses coagulopathy. The fusion is a hallmark of APL and its rapid identification is essential for rapid initiation of specific treatment to prevent early deaths from coagulopathy and bleeding and optimize patient outcomes.

Emerging Radiotherapy Technologies for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of Immunotherapy.

Radiotherapy (RT) is an integral component in the multidisciplinary management of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Significant advances have been made toward optimizing tumor control and toxicity profiles of RT for HNSCC in the past two decades. The development of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent chemotherapy established the standard of care for most patients with locally advanced HNSCC around the turn of the century.

Progress Toward Epigenetic Targeted Therapies for Childhood Cancer.

Among the most significant discoveries from cancer genomics efforts has been the critical role of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer development and progression. Studies across diverse cancer types have revealed frequent mutations in genes encoding epigenetic regulators, alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications, and a dramatic reorganization of chromatin structure. Epigenetic changes are especially relevant to pediatric cancers, which are often characterized by a low rate of genetic mutations.

Plasma brain-related biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in pediatric ECMO.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique used to support severe cardiopulmonary failure. Its potential life-saving benefits are tempered by the significant risk for acute brain injury (ABI), from both primary pathophysiologic factors and ECMO-related complications through central nervous system cellular injury, blood-brain barrier dysfunction (BBB), systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, and coagulopathy. Plasma biomarkers are an emerging tool used to stratify risk for and diagnose ABI, and prognosticate neurofunctional outcomes.

Protection by natural cholera against later episodes of cholera over 10 years of follow-up in Matlab, Bangladesh: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with cholera have been shown to be protected against subsequent cholera for 3 years after their initial episode. We aimed to assess protection at 10 years of follow-up.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, cohorts of patients treated for cholera (index patients) and contemporaneously selected age-matched individuals without cholera (controls), randomly selected from the population of Matlab, Bangladesh, were assembled between 1990 and 2009 and followed for up to 10 years.

A multi-city COVID-19 categorical forecasting model utilizing wastewater-based epidemiology.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted shortcomings in forecasting models, such as unreliable inputs/outputs and poor performance at critical points. As COVID-19 remains a threat, it is imperative to improve current forecasting approaches by incorporating reliable data and alternative forecasting targets to better inform decision-makers. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a viable method to track COVID-19 transmission, offering a more reliable metric than reported cases for forecasting critical outcomes like hospitalizations.

Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitors of DXP Synthase Show Species Specificity.

1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXPS) is a unique thiamin diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DXP, a branchpoint metabolite required for the biosynthesis of vitamins and isoprenoids in bacterial pathogens. DXPS has relaxed substrate specificity and utilizes a gated mechanism, equipping DXPS to sense and respond to diverse substrates. We speculate that pathogens utilize this distinct gated mechanism in different ways to support metabolic adaptation during infection.

Climate change, migration, and health: perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean.

This article delves into the complex relationship between climate change, migration patterns, and health outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). While the severe impact of climate change on health in LAC is widely acknowledged, the article sheds light on the often-overlooked multiple effects on migration and the well-being of migrants. These impacts encompass poverty, food and water insecurity, and adverse physical and mental health outcomes.