Low-Level Red Light for the Progression Myopia in Children: A Meta-Analysis.

Purposes: This meta-analysis aims to systematically analyze the efficacy of low-level red light (LRL) therapy for myopia control and prevention in children.

Methods: All the data were searched from the PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

State-of-the-Art Liver Cancer Organoids: Modeling Cancer Stem Cell Heterogeneity for Personalized Treatment.

Liver cancer poses a global health challenge with limited therapeutic options. Notably, the limited success of current therapies in patients with primary liver cancers (PLCs) may be attributed to the high heterogeneity of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCAs). This heterogeneity evolves over time as tumor-initiating stem cells, or cancer stem cells (CSCs), undergo (epi)genetic alterations or encounter microenvironmental changes within the tumor microenvironment.

Light buckets and laser beams: mechanisms and applications of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a non-thermal light therapy using nonionizing light sources, has shown therapeutic potential across diverse biological processes, including aging and age-associated diseases. In 2023, scientists from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Intramural and Extramural programs convened a workshop on the topic of PBM to discuss various proposed mechanisms of PBM action, including the stimulation of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase, modulation of cell membrane transporters and receptors, and the activation of transforming growth factor-β1. They also reviewed potential therapeutic applications of PBM across a range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, retinal disease, Parkinson's disease, and cognitive impairment.

Investigating the decomposition mechanism of DNAN/DNB cocrystal explosive under high temperature using ReaxFF/lg molecular dynamics simulations.

Context: DNAN/DNB cocrystals, as a newly developed type of energetic material, possess superior safety and thermal stability, making them a suitable alternative to traditional melt-cast explosives. Nonetheless, an exploration of the thermal degradation dynamics of the said cocrystal composite has heretofore remained uncharted. Consequently, we engaged the ReaxFF/lg force field modality to delve into the thermal dissociation processes of the DNAN/DNB cocrystal assembly across a spectrum of temperatures, encompassing 2500, 2750, 3000, 3250, and 3500 K.

Does Nocturnal Blood Pressure Matter in Retinal Small Vessels? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature.

Purpose Of The Review: Τhe association between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) and alterations in the retinal microvasculature remains understudied, with few available studies to provide conflicting results. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether an association exists between retinal microvascular alterations and nocturnal BP patterns, determined by 24h ambulatory BP measurement.

Recent Findings: Our search concluded to 1002 patients (6 studies).

HIF-1 and HIF-2 in cancer: structure, regulation, and therapeutic prospects.

Hypoxia, or a state of low tissue oxygenation, has been characterized as an important feature of solid tumors that is related to aggressive phenotypes. The cellular response to hypoxia is controlled by Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), a family of transcription factors. HIFs promote the transcription of gene products that play a role in tumor progression including proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance.

Efficacy of birthing ball exercises to reduce labor pain and cesarean rates: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of a birthing ball (BB) exercises on low-risk parturients during labor, offering a more comprehensive understanding through a larger sample size, robust analysis, and focus on relevant endpoints that were underexplored in previous studies due to limited data.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing BB (also named Swiss ball) exercises with no intervention or standard care in parturients undergoing low-risk labor. Risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) were calculated using a random-effects model.

Robust discrimination between closely related species of salmon based on DNA fragments.

Closely related species of Salmonidae, including Pacific and Atlantic salmon, can be distinguished from one another based on nucleotide sequences from the cytochrome c oxidase sub-unit 1 mitochondrial gene (COI), using ensembles of fragments aligned to genetic barcodes that serve as digital proxies for the relevant species. This is accomplished by exploiting both the nucleotide sequences and their quality scores recorded in a FASTQ file obtained via Next Generation (NextGen) Sequencing of mitochondrial DNA extracted from Coho salmon caught with hook and line in the Gulf of Alaska. The alignment is done using MUSCLE (Muscle 5.

Molecular Insights into the Control Mechanism of the Solid-Liquid Interface Interaction on Shale Oil Occurrence: Grand Canonical Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Investigation.

The strong solid-liquid interaction leads to the complicated occurrence characteristics of shale oil. However, the solid-liquid interface interaction and its controls of the occurrence state of shale oil are poorly understood on the molecular scale. In this work, the adsorption behavior and occurrence state of shale oil in pores of organic/inorganic matter under reservoir conditions were investigated by using grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Case management in Emergency Care: Impact Evaluation of the CARED Program.

Background: Hospitals face mounting pressure to reduce unplanned utilization amid rising healthcare demands from an aging population. The Case management for At-Risk patients in the Emergency Department (CARED) program is among the first ED transitional care strategies to focus on both frail older adults and Emergency Department (ED) re-attenders to reduce acute hospital utilization. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the CARED program in reducing hospital (re)admissions and ED re-attendances within 30- and 60-days post-discharge.

Impact of Recent Translational and Therapeutic Developments on Clinical Course of BCR::ABL1-Positive and -Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Despite the study of BCR::ABL1-positive and -negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) providing seminal insights into cancer biology, tumor evolution and precision oncology over the past half century, significant challenges remain. MPNs are clonal hematopoietic stem cell-derived neoplasms with heterogenous clinical phenotypes and a clonal architecture which impacts the often-complex underlying genetics and microenvironment. The major driving molecular abnormalities have been well characterized, but debate on their role as disease-initiating molecular lesions continues.

Living in Historically Redlined Neighborhoods and the Cognitive Function of Black and White Adults.

Objectives: We determined if living in historically redlined neighborhoods was associated with level and change in cognitive functioning and if this association differed for Black and White older adults.

Methods: We linked the Health and Retirement Study 1998-2018 data to redlining scores from the Historic Redlining Indicator data. Our sample included adults aged 50 years and older (24,230 respondents, 129,618 person-period observations).

Coronal Plane Alignment of the Medial Column in Isolated Hallux Valgus, Isolated Flatfoot, and Combined Hallux Valgus-Flatfoot.

Background: To provide improved treatment for hallux valgus (HV), we sought to understand more about the pathophysiologic connection between flatfoot deformity and HV by comparing coronal plane alignment of the medial column of the foot for patients with isolated HV, isolated flatfoot, and combined HV-flatfoot vs controls.

Methods: This study retrospectively assessed a consecutive series of 33 patients with combined symptomatic and radiographic HV and flatfoot, 33 isolated symptomatic HV, 33 isolated symptomatic flatfoot, and 33 controls. The medial column alignment was assessed in the coronal plane using 3-dimensional weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT); rotation was measured for the navicular, medial cuneiform, and first metatarsal (M1).

Lineage-dependence of the neuroblastoma surfaceome defines tumor cell state-dependent and independent immunotherapeutic targets.

Background: Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous disease with adrenergic (ADRN)- and therapy resistant mesenchymal (MES)-like cells driven by distinct transcription factor networks. Here, we investigate the expression of immunotherapeutic targets in each neuroblastoma subtype and propose pan-neuroblastoma and cell state specific targetable cell-surface proteins.

Methods: We characterized cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and patient samples as ADRN-dominant or MES-dominant to define subtype-specific and pan-neuroblastoma gene sets.

Subventricular Zone Microstructure in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the microstructural dynamics of the subventricular zone (SVZ) with aging and their associations with clinical disability and brain structural damage in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods: One-hundred and forty-one pediatric-onset MS patients (67 pediatric and 74 adults with pediatric-onset) and 233 healthy controls (HC) underwent neurological and 3.0 T MRI assessment.

MPXV: Update on Morphological and Morphogenesis Aspects Through Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopies and 3D Reconstruction.

An unprecedented global outbreak caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern on July 23, 2022. Therapeutics and vaccines for MPXV are not widely available, necessitating further studies, particularly in drug repurposing area. To this end, the standardization of in vitro infection systems is essential.

Unraveling the Molecular Architecture of Mosquito D1-Like Dopamine Receptors: Insights Into Ligand Binding and Structural Dynamics for Insecticide Development.

Vector-borne diseases pose a severe threat to human life, contributing significantly to global mortality. Understanding the structure-function relationship of the vector proteins is pivotal for effective insecticide development due to their involvement in drug resistance and disease transmission. This study reports the structural and dynamic features of D1-like dopamine receptors (DARs) in disease-causing mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles gambiae, and Anopheles stephensi.

Localization of Cholecystokinin/Sulfakinin Neuropeptides in Biomphalaria glabrata, an Intermediate Host for Schistosomiasis.

Snails belonging to the genus Biomphalaria serve as obligatory intermediate hosts for the trematode Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent for the most widespread form of schistosomiasis. The simpler nervous systems of gastropod molluscs, such as Biomphalaria, provide advantageous models for investigating neural responses to infection at the cellular and network levels. The present study examined neuropeptides related to cholecystokinin (CCK), a major multifunctional regulator of central nervous system (CNS) function in mammals.

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy leads to better survival outcomes in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with high-risk upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) using a large, well-curated multi-institutional database.

Patients And Methods: This study was a multi-institutional retrospective analysis conducted by the UTUC Collaborative Network (UCAN), combining data from 2276 patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy at seven high-volume tertiary care centres in the United States. The UCAN data were analysed to evaluate the impact of response to NAC on survival outcomes in patients with UTUC.

The use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for severe asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis.

Introduction: To evaluate the effectiveness of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) versus standard therapy in severe asthma exacerbations through meta-analysis.

Methods: Nine randomized controlled trials (344 patients) were analyzed from inception to August 2024. Primary outcomes included respiratory rate, forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), and oxygen saturation (SpO2).

Impacts of Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Distress in Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses.

Purpose: To assess the level of moral distress (MD) and perceptions of ethical climate among pediatric hematology/oncology (PHO) nurses and to identify bioethics topics where increased education was desired.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we administered the 26-item Swedish Moral Distress Scale-Revised (sMDS-R), specifically revised and validated for pediatric oncology, in conjunction with the Clinical Ethics Needs Assessment Survey (CENAS). Electronic surveys were sent to inpatient and outpatient PHO nurses.