Low-dose aspirin versus placebo in postpartum venous thromboembolism: a multi-national, pilot, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Despite the morbidity and mortality of venous thromboembolism, there is little evidence to guide postpartum thromboprophylaxis in patients at moderate risk. We aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting a double-blind, randomised trial of aspirin versus placebo in postpartum individuals with two or more venous thromboembolism risk factors, mild-to-moderate thrombophilia, or both.

Methods: The pilot PARTUM trial, a multi-national, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, was conducted in seven centres across Canada, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Antibiotic treatment versus appendicectomy for acute appendicitis in adults: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have found antibiotics to be a feasible and safe alternative to appendicectomy in adults with imaging-confirmed acute appendicitis. However, patient inclusion criteria and outcome definitions vary greatly between RCTs. We aimed to compare antibiotics with appendicectomy for the treatment of acute appendicitis using individual patient data and uniform outcome definitions.

A conceptual framework to assess the health, socioeconomic and environmental burden of chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health challenge that affects patients, caregivers, healthcare systems, the environment and national economies. Despite its far-reaching impact, there is no framework to systematically evaluate national CKD prevention and management programmes or evaluate the societal burden of disease. This paper has two objectives: first, to introduce a comprehensive framework to assess national programmes, which recognises gaps and weaknesses and identifies feasible policy interventions to reduce overall CKD burden; second, to present some key challenges and success stories in delivering CKD services delivered in eight different country settings.

Influence of core material and occlusal contact pattern on fatigue behavior of different monolithic ceramic crowns.

This study evaluated the effect of substrate core materials and occlusal contact patterns on the fatigue mechanical behavior and stress distribution of single-unit ceramic crowns. One hundred and twenty monolithic crowns were fabricated from zirconia (YZ - IPS e.max ZirCAD, Ivoclar), lithium disilicate (LD - IPS e.

Antimicrobial efficacy of alternative root canal disinfection strategies: An evaluation on multiple working models.

Researching disinfection strategies is pivotal because effectively eliminating bacteria and their byproducts during root canal treatment (RCT) remains a challenge. This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of natural antimicrobial compounds, propolis (PRO) and copaiba oil-resin (COR), compared to conventional agents in Endodontics. Antimicrobials were tested against endodontic pathogens via macrodilution with standardized inoculums to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).

PTV Margins in MR-guided and Beam-gated SBRT of Liver Metastases: GTV Dose Escalation Can Reduce the Required PTV.

Aims: Determining appropriate PTV margins for SBRT of liver metastases is a non-trivial task, especially with motion management included. The widely used analytical van Herk margin recipe (van Herk et al., 2000) could break down due to (i) a low number of fractions, (ii) non-Gaussian errors, or (iii) non-homogenous dose distributions.

Red blood cell pyruvate kinase properties in Townes and Berkeley sickle cell disease mouse models - Of mice and men.

Pyruvate kinase (PK), a key ATP-generating enzyme in glycolysis, is a target for novel sickle cell disease (SCD) therapies. Enhancing PK activity lowers 2,3-diphosphyglycerate (2,3-DPG), increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and may prevent red blood cell (RBC) sickling. Townes and Berkeley SCD mouse models are commonly used for the development of novel drugs for SCD, but differ from humans in 2,3-DPG and ATP levels, which could be related to underlying differences in PK properties.

Heart rate and salivary cortisol as indicators of arousal and synchrony in clients, therapy horses and therapist in equine-assisted therapy.

Background: This exploratory study aimed to analyse physiological interaction processes in equine-assisted-therapy (EAT) between client, therapy horse and therapist.

Methods: We measured heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol levels before, during and after a standardized therapy session and a control condition in one therapist, four therapy horses and ten female clients in emerging adulthood (Mn = 21.8 years, SD = 3.

Genomic scans for selection and runs of homozygosity in southern Italian turkey populations.

Basilicata and Apulian (BAS-APU) turkeys, a native population in the Basilicata and Puglia regions of southern Italy, are known for their high meat quality and tolerance to local conditions. Understanding the genomic patterns of BAS-APU turkeys is critical for effective breeding and preservation strategies. In this study, we characterized runs of homozygosity (ROH), and selection signatures using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) and ROH approaches.

A multicenter Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled single-blind trial with the SV2A ligand seletracetam in photosensitive epilepsy patients.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seletracetam (SEL), a potent modulator of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A), in patients with photoparoxysmal EEG response (PPR) to intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) as proof-of-principle of efficacy in patients with epilepsy. In this multicenter, single-blind Phase II study, adults with photosensitive epilepsy, with/without concomitant antiseizure medication therapy, underwent IPS under 3 eye conditions (at eye closure, eyes closed and eyes open) after a single oral dose of placebo (day - 1) or SEL (day 1; 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 10, or 20 mg).

Urinary retention during and after labor with programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) analgesia: a prospective observational study.

Background: This study investigates the incidence and risk factors for urinary retention during and after labor in women receiving programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) analgesia and evaluates the optimal bladder management strategy.

Methods: This prospective observational study assessed urinary retention during voiding attempts every two to three hours during labor and postpartum, among women with labor epidural analgesia using PIEB. Urinary retention was defined as a post-void residual volume >150 mL, determined by catheterization after spontaneous voiding.

Psychological health status after major trauma across different levels of trauma care: A multicentre secondary analysis.

Introduction: Concentration of trauma care in trauma network has resulted in different trauma populations across designated levels of trauma care.

Objective: Describing psychological health status, by means of the impact event scale (IES) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), of major trauma patients one and two years post-trauma across different levels of trauma care in trauma networks.

Methods: A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted.

Automation of on-site microbial water quality monitoring from source to tap: Challenges and perspectives.

Ensuring the provision of safe drinking water necessitates thorough monitoring of microbial water quality. While traditional culture-based enumeration of bacterial indicators has served as the gold standard in compliance monitoring since the late 19th century, recent advancements in microbial sensor technology, driven by automation and digitalization, are revolutionizing on-site monitoring capabilities. These innovations offer unparalleled potential for automated, high temporal frequency monitoring with remote, real-time data transmission.

Developmental validation of the IDseek® OmniSTR™ global autosomal STR profiling kit.

Forensic science takes advantage of population variability in autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) lengths to establish human identification. The most common method for DNA profiling by STR is based on PCR, where the highly polymorphic STR regions are amplified and analysed using Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) or Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS). MPS determines not only the repeat length, but also the repeat structure and variations in the flanking regions, making this method superior in discriminatory power compared to CE.

Biology-inspired dynamic microphysiological system approaches to revolutionize basic research, healthcare and animal welfare.

The regular workshops held by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) on biology-inspired microphysiological systems (MPS) taking place every four years, have become a reliable measure to assess fundamental scientific, industrial and regulatory trends for translational science in the MPS-field from a bird's eye view. The 2023 workshop participants at that time concluded that the technology as used within academia has matured significantly, underlined by the broad use of MPS and the steadily increasing number of high quality research publications - yet, broad industry adoption of MPS has been slow, despite strong interest. Academic research using MPS primarily aims to accurately recapitulate human biology in MPS-based organ models in areas where traditional models have been lacking key elements of human physiology, thereby enabling breakthrough discoveries for life sciences.

Radiation decreases bronchial epithelial progenitor function as assessed by organoid formation.

Objective: Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a serious side-effect of radiotherapy for lung cancer, in which effects on the normal lung epithelium may play a key role. Since these effects are incompletely understood, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation (IR) on cultured well-differentiated primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) with a focus on cytotoxicity, barrier formation, inflammation and epithelial progenitor function.

Materials And Methods: PBEC were cultured at the Air-Liquid Interface (ALI-PBEC) to allow mucociliary differentiation.

The PEBP genes FLOWERING LOCUS T and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 modulate seed dormancy and size.

The phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family members FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) are major regulators of plant reproduction. In Arabidopsis, the FT/TFL1 balance defines the timing of floral transition and the determination of inflorescence meristem identity. However, emerging studies have elucidated a plethora of previously unknown functions for these genes in various physiological processes.

Optimising CPAP and oxygen levels to support spontaneous breathing in preterm rabbits.

Background: Very preterm infants often require respiratory support after birth with current recommendations suggesting the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 4-8 cmHO and an initial fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) of 0.21-0.3.

Machine learning models for neurocognitive outcome prediction in preterm born infants.

Background: Outcome prediction after preterm birth is important for long-term neonatal care, but has proven notoriously challenging for neurocognitive outcome. This study investigated the potential of machine learning to improve neurocognitive outcome prediction at two and five years of corrected age in preterm infants, using readily available predictors from the neonatal setting.

Methods: Predictors originating from the antenatal and neonatal period of preterm infants born <30 weeks gestation were used to predict adverse neurocognitive outcome on the Bayley Scale and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence.

HLA I immunopeptidome of synthetic long peptide pulsed human dendritic cells for therapeutic vaccine design.

Synthetic long peptides (SLPs) are a promising vaccine modality that exploit dendritic cells (DC) to treat chronic infections or cancer. Currently, the design of SLPs relies on in silico prediction and multifactorial T cells assays to determine which SLPs are best cross-presented on DC human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I). Furthermore, it is unknown how TLR ligand-based adjuvants affect DC cross-presentation.

The first geospatial dataset of irrigated fields (2020-2024) in Vojvodina (Serbia).

Irrigation is a cornerstone of global food security, enabling sustainable agricultural production and helping to ensure that food is available for people around the world, now and in the future. Mapping irrigated fields provides valuable information for sustainable water management, agricultural development, and environmental conservation efforts. However, the collection of high-quality training data, which is necessary for accurate irrigation mapping remains costly and labour-intensive.

Bioinoculant-induced plant resistance is modulated by interactions with resident soil microbes.

Background: Entomopathogenic fungi are increasingly used as bio-inoculants to enhance crop growth and resistance. When applied to rhizosphere soil, they interact with resident soil microbes, which can affect their ability to colonize and induce resistance in plants as well as modify the structure of the resident soil microbiome, either directly through interactions in the rhizosphere or indirectly, mediated by the plant. The extent to which such direct versus indirect interactions between bio-inoculants and soil microbes impact microbe-induced resistance in crops remains unclear.

Implementation of multidisciplinary team decisions on the management of complex bone and joint infections: an observational study.

Background: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) management of prosthetic joint infections (PJI) and other bone and joint infections (BJI) is increasingly put into practice. However, studies evaluating the performance of MDTs in this field are scarce. We aimed to assess our MDT for complex BJI by determining the implementation rate of team decisions, analyzing factors associated with non-implementation and evaluating the clinical outcome of patients in whom MDT decisions were not implemented.

Nursing postgraduates' innovative behaviour, influencing factors and educational requirements: a national cross-sectional study.

Background: Innovative behaviours are important for nursing postgraduates who are a significant reserve for future nursing career, thinking critically, utilizing technologies and solving complex problems. In nursing undergraduates' education, innovative behaviour is closely linked with the development of professional identity. However, there are limited studies exploring innovative behaviours, influencing factors and educational requirements of nursing postgraduates.

An exploration of governance in teaching hospitals in the Netherlands focused on educational objectives.

Background: Many countries are improving medical education in teaching hospitals through more focus on internal quality assurance, for example by creating new stakeholders like hospital-wide education committees. Adequate oversight is thought essential to ensure the quality of medical education. How teaching hospitals distribute roles and responsibilities for quality control across educational stakeholders to organize this oversight is rarely investigated.