How does the first index mode of birth in public or private hospitals predict subsequent births? A 16-year Australian population-based linked data study.

Objectives: In this descriptive study, we aimed to assess how the index mode of birth and subsequent birth modes vary over time for public and private hospital maternity care funding models. The second aim was to determine to what extent the index mode of birth predicts subsequent birth modes in general and whether this differs in public versus private hospital maternity care funding models. With our aim, we have an innovative approach, specifically the women's life course approach, which is hypothesis-generating and can be assessed in future studies.

Post-exercise myofibrillar protein synthesis rates do not differ following 1.5 g essential amino acids compared to 15 and 20 g of whey protein in young females.

Optimal adaptation to resistance exercise requires maximal rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MyoPS), which can be achieved by postexercise consumption of >20 g of protein or ~2 g of the essential amino acid (EAA) leucine. These nutritional recommendations are based on studies in males. The aim of the present study was to compare the postexercise MyoPS response to nutrition in young females.

Radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules (RATED study) - analysis of a learning curve and predictors of success.

Context: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used as treatment for symptomatic thyroid nodules. Factors influencing the volume reduction ratio (VRR) at 12 months are not yet fully understood.

Objective: The primary objective was evaluating the VRR at 12 months after RFA.

Development of the fish invitrome for animal-free environmental risk assessment of chemicals.

Given the need to reduce animal testing for environmental risk assessment, we aim to develop a fish invitrome, an alternative fish modular framework capable of predicting chemical toxicity in fish without the use of animals. The central module of the framework is the validated RTgill-W1 cell line assay that predicts fish acute toxicity of chemicals (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Test Guideline (OECD TG) 249). Expanding towards prediction of chronic toxicity, the fish invitrome includes two other well-advanced modules for chemical bioaccumulation/biotransformation and inhibition of fish growth.

The effect of first intervention on cardiac parameters in patients with acromegaly: a systematic review.

Objective: Cardiovascular disease in acromegaly patients remains a major cause of morbidity and all-cause mortality. This systematic review investigates the effect of the first growth hormone lowering intervention on cardiac parameters.

Design: Systematic review.

Anaphylaxis definition, overview, and clinical support tool: 2024 consensus report.

Background: The 2006 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (NIAID/FAAN) anaphylaxis criteria are widely used in clinical care and research. In 2020, the World Allergy Organization (WAO) published modified criteria that have not been uniformly adopted. Different criteria contribute to inconsistent care and research outcomes.

A Value Set for the EQ-5D-5L for United Arab Emirates.

Objectives To develop a value set for the EQ-5D-5L based on preferences of the general adult population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods The study followed the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L Valuation protocol and involved conducting interviewer-administered face-to-face or online interviews in Arabic or English, using the EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) with a sample of 1005 adults representing the UAE general population. Sample recruitment involved a two-stage quota sampling strategy across the seven Emirates of the UAE, ensuring representation of nationals and expatriates.

Clinician-reported Gloucester Comfort Scale scores underestimate patient discomfort and pain during colonoscopy: insights from comparison with a patient-reported experience measure.

Background: Patient experience is a fundamental element of colonoscopy. The Gloucester Comfort Scale (GCS) is used by clinicians to report patient comfort. However, insights regarding the extent to which clinician-reported GCS scores represent the patient's experience are lacking.

A cis-regulatory element controls expression of histone deacetylase 9 to fine-tune inflammasome-dependent chronic inflammation in atherosclerosis.

Common genetic variants in a conserved cis-regulatory element (CRE) at histone deacetylase (HDAC)9 are a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke and coronary artery disease. Given the consistency of this association and its proinflammatory properties, we examined the mechanisms whereby HDAC9 regulates vascular inflammation. HDAC9 bound and mediated deacetylation of NLRP3 in the NACHT and LRR domains leading to inflammasome activation and lytic cell death.

The rate of glucose metabolism sets the cell morphology across yeast strains and species.

Yeasts are a diverse group of unicellular fungi that have developed a wide array of phenotypes and traits over 400 million years of evolution. However, we still lack an understanding of the biological principles governing the range of cell morphologies, metabolic modes, and reproductive strategies yeasts display. In this study, we explored the relationship between cell morphology and metabolism in sixteen yeast strains across eleven species.

Psychological resilience, dyadic coping, and dyadic adjustment in couples dealing with cervical cancer in Northwest China: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment in patients with cervical cancer and their spouses in northwest China, and explore the mediating role of psychological resilience in this relationship.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2024 in two tertiary hospitals in Xinjiang Province, China; 260 patients with cervical cancer and their spouses were enrolled. Participants independently completed demographic and clinical questionnaires as well as Chinese versions of the Resilience Scale, Dyadic Coping Inventory, and Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale.

The benefit of national clinical guidelines for open lower limb fractures in reducing healthcare burden: A length of inpatient stay cost-analysis.

Introduction: Severe open lower limb fractures are complex and costly injuries. Studies reporting the costs associated with these injuries, the economic impact of complications, and the clinical benefit of adherence to national guidelines have been previously reported. However, the economic benefits of national guidelines and their relationship with length of inpatient stay have not been described.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato inhibits CIITA transcription through pSTAT3 activation and enhanced SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression leading to limited IFN-γ production.

Interferons (IFNs) are important signaling molecules in the human immune response against micro-organisms. Throughout initial Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.

Safety and efficacy of tamoxifen in non-ambulant patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (TAMDMD Group B).

Most patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are non-ambulant. Preserving proximal motor function is crucial, rarely studied. Tamoxifen, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, reduced signs of muscular pathology in a DMD mouse model.

Factors associated with ICU stays after endovascular treatments for unruptured intracranial aneurysms: A review study.

Background: For unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs), conservative management is often possible. However, when direct treatment is warranted, endovascular treatments (EVTs) provide an effective minimally invasive approach. These procedures still necessitate careful patient monitoring, frequently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Comparison of linear mixed models for genetic feather score analysis in laying hens kept in recurrent testing facilities.

Feather pecking, related feather damage, and mortality are crucial welfare and efficiency traits in laying hens. When individuals are kept in sib groups, genetic analysis of feather scores captures the performer and receiver components of feather damage due to pecking. Genetic parameters and breeding values estimated from such data with an ordinary linear mixed model refer to total breeding values.

The effect of bone relaxation on the simulated pull-off force of a cementless femoral knee implant.

Aseptic loosening is the primary cause of revision in cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA), emphasizing the importance of strong initial stability for long-term implant success. Pre-clinical evaluations are crucial for understanding implant fixation mechanics and improving implant designs. Finite element (FE) analysis models often use linear elastic bone material models, which do not accurately reflect bone's mechanical behavior.

Ficus carica leaves extract loaded PLGA nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and in vitro anticancer activity on TFK-1 cell line.

Ficus Carica extract (FC) is a natural herb that has received a lot of interest in cancer treatment due to its potential anticancer activities against various malignancies. However, due to FC's low bioavailability and low solubility, its clinical use as an anti-cancer medicine is constrained. The current study aimed to prepare FC-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) for cancer treatment.

Electrochemically Driven Selective Olefin Epoxidation by Cobalt-TAML Catalyst.

Epoxides are versatile chemical intermediates that are used in the manufacture of diversified industrial products. For decades, thermochemical conversion has long been employed as the primary synthetic route. However, it has several drawbacks, such as harsh and explosive operating conditions, as well as a significant greenhouse gas emissions problem.

Developing a Profile of Canadian Children With Cerebral Palsy Who Require Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Purpose: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent motor disability affecting children. Many children with CP have significant speech difficulties and require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to participate in communication. Despite demonstrable benefits, the use of AAC systems among children with CP remains constrained, although research in Canada is lacking.

Statistical analysis plan for hemodynamic phenotype-based, capillary refill time-targeted resuscitation in early septic shock: the ANDROMEDA-SHOCK-2 randomized clinical trial.

Background: ANDROMEDA-SHOCK 2 is an international, multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing hemodynamic phenotype-based, capillary refill time-targeted resuscitation in early septic shock to standard care resuscitation to test the hypothesis that the former is associated with lower morbidity and mortality in terms of hierarchal analysis of outcomes.

Objective: To report the statistical plan for the ANDROMEDA--SHOCK 2 randomized clinical trial.

Methods: We briefly describe the trial design, patients, methods of randomization, interventions, outcomes, and sample size.

Translation and validation of the Hearing Environments and Reflection on Quality of Life (HEAR-QL) questionnaire for preschool children in Dutch.

Objective: Early diagnosis, intervention and consistent follow-up of hearing loss is of great importance in children, given the broad impact of untreated childhood hearing loss. Currently, no hearing-specific QOL proxy questionnaire exists for preschool children with hearing loss in the Dutch language. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and validate the Preschool HEAR-QL questionnaire into Dutch.

Spherical harmonics texture extraction for versatile analysis of biological objects.

The characterization of phenotypes in cells or organisms from microscopy data largely depends on differences in the spatial distribution of image intensity. Multiple methods exist for quantifying the intensity distribution - or image texture - across objects in natural images. However, many of these texture extraction methods do not directly adapt to 3D microscopy data.