Mucosal leishmaniasis is associated with the Leishmania RNA virus and inappropriate cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment.

Background: Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a severe clinical form of leishmaniasis that is characterized by the destruction of the nasal and/or the oral mucosae and appears as a late complication in 5% to 10% of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases produced by species belonging to Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. Some strains of Leishmania spp. carry an RNA virus known as Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) that may contribute to the appearance of ML.

Long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptives utilization and its associated factors among married women who desire no more children in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptives (LARPCs) utilization and its associated factors among married women who desire no more children in Ethiopia.

Methods: Secondary datasets from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey was used for the study. A total weighted sample of 3,756 married or in union reproductive age women who desire no more children were included in the analysis.

Unraveling the transcriptomic effects of leucine supplementation on muscle growth and performance in basketball athletes.

Leucine has gained recognition as an athletic dietary supplement in recent years due to its various benefits; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 20 basketball players were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Baseline exercise performance-assessed through a 282-foot sprint, free throws, three-point field goals, and self-rated practice assessments-was measured prior to leucine supplementation.

Ensifentrine in COPD patients taking long-acting bronchodilators: A pooled post-hoc analysis of the ENHANCE-1/2 studies.

Background: The efficacy and safety of ensifentrine, a novel PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor, were previously evaluated in the ENHANCE-1 (NCT04535986) and ENHANCE-2 (NCT04542057) trials. Here, we present a pooled post-hoc subgroup analysis of patients according to background chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) maintenance medication regimens.

Objective: This analysis aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of ensifentrine in patients receiving long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) or long-acting beta-agonists with inhaled corticosteroids (LABA + ICS).

Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in nodal lymphoma: correlation of quantitative MR perfusion parameters with lymphoma subtype, Lugano stage and Ki-67 index.

Background: Research into the intratumoral microenvironment in lymphoma has been escalated along with improved survival and new targeted therapies with an intent to refine risk stratification and prognostication. Various studies have reported significance of quantitative DCE-MRI parameters for predicting biological behaviour of various tumors. This study is an endeavour to supplement the existing literature on quantitative DCE-MRI in nodal lymphoma.

Integrated care management for patients following acute stroke: a systematic review.

Background: Contemporary stroke care is moving towards more holistic and patient-centred integrated approaches, however, there is need to develop high quality evidence for interventions that benefit patients as part of this approach.

Aim: This study aims to identify the types of integrated care management strategies that exist for people with stroke, to determine whether stroke management pathways impact patient outcomes, and to identify elements of integrated stroke care that were effective at improving outcomes.

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

The value of ultrasound measured rectus femoris thickness, cross-sectional area and shear wave velocity in assessment of muscle in postmenopausal women with osteosarcopenia.

Objectives: To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US) and shear wave velocity (SWV) to assess muscle in postmenopausal women with osteosarcopenia (OSP).

Methods: This study included 145 postmenopausal women, comprising 115 osteopenia/osteoporosis participants without sarcopenia (OP alone) and 30 OSP participants. All received the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), handgrip strength, calf circumference, 6-meter walking speed, and 5-time chair stand test.

Reference Values for Water-Specific T1, Intermuscular and Intramuscular Fat Content in Skeletal Muscle at 2.89 T.

Background: MRI offers quantification of proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and tissue characteristics with T1 mapping. The influence of age, sex, and the potential confounding effects of fat on T1 values in skeletal muscle in healthy adults are insufficiently known.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy and repeatability of a saturation-recovery chemical-shift encoded multiparametric approach (SR-CSE) for quantification of T1 and muscle fat content, and establish normative values (age, sex) from a healthy cohort.

Chemopreventive role of β-caryophyllene in DMBA-induced skin cancer: Modulation of apoptotic pathways and PI3K/Akt signaling in Swiss albino mice.

Background: The skin, with its robust structural integrity and advanced immune defense system, serves as a critical protective barrier against environmental toxins and carcinogenic compounds. Despite this, it remains vulnerable to the harmful effects of certain hazardous agents.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the chemopreventive potential of β-caryophyllene (BCP) in mitigating 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin carcinogenesis, focusing on the modulation of apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Impact of vitamin D supplementation on symptom severity and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Background: Vitamin D supplementation could offer irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients significant improvements in terms of symptom severity and overall quality of life (QoL). Yet, the potential benefits and risks associated with vitamin D supplementation still require additional investigation.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on IBS using a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Electron Microscopy Reveals Inhomogeneous Adsorption of Iodine and Concurrent Defect Formation in a Metal-Organic Framework.

Adsorption behaviors are typically examined through adsorption isotherms, which measure the average adsorption amount as a function of partial pressure or time. However, this method is incapable of identifying inhomogeneities across the adsorbent, which may occur in the presence of strong intermolecular interactions of the adsorbate. In this study, we visualize the adsorption of molecular iodine (I) in the metal-organic framework material MFM-300(Sc) using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).

Halogen Engineering and Solvent-Induced Strategies Regulate Structural Transitions and Luminescence Switching of Hybrid Copper(I) Halides.

Copper-based halides have attracted significant attention due to their unique photophysical properties and diverse coordination configurations. However, enhancing water stability and modulating structural transitions in cuprous halide materials remain challenging. In this work, we successfully synthesized three copper(I) halides, (CHP)CuBr (L1, [CHP] = hexyltriphenylphosphonium), (CHP)CuBr (L2), and (CHP)CuI (L3), via solvent volatilization, demonstrating exceptional water stability even after 27 days of submersion.

Outcome of acute ischemic stroke with absent opacification of the cervical internal carotid artery at CT-angiography after endovascular treatment.

Occlusion of the distal internal carotid artery can simulate a proximal occlusion of its cervical tract on CT angiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke, that is, pseudo-occlusion. As true and false carotid occlusions can present similarly on non-invasive imaging in patients undergoing endovascular treatment for stroke, our study aimed to evaluate clinical and technical differences of these conditions and the possible consequences of a misdiagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at a single center between July 2015 and May 2022 and included patients with absent opacification of the cervical carotid artery on CT-angiography.

Diffuse expression of p16 in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) and the association of morphology variants.

Objective: Distinguishing grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) from neuroendocrine carcinomas (PanNECs) is sometimes challenging. Recently, a diffuse p16-positive pattern was reported in PanNECs but not in grade 3 PanNETs, suggesting that p16 could help differentiate these entities. This study aimed to investigate p16 expression in PanNETs of various grades and its association with clinicopathologic features.

Dental Caries, Erosive Tooth Wear, and Periodontal Status of Military Student Pilots in Finland: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Oral health is a crucial factor for service safety among military pilots, but studies specifically on pilots are still very few in Finland. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of military student pilots compared to other conscripts of the same age group.

Materials And Methods: The data were collected during the oral health examinations of the annual class of the Pilot Reserve Officer Course students at the beginning of their duty at the Air Force Academy (N = 38).

Investigating the Reductive Phosphatization Reaction Pathway in the Synthesis of Transition Metal Phosphates: A Case Study on Titanium Phosphates.

Reductive phosphatization is an original synthesis approach to the formation of transition metal phosphates (TMPs). The approach enables the synthesis of known TMPs, but also new compounds, especially with transition metals in a low-valent state. However, to exploit the enormous potential of this synthesis method, it is necessary to identify and characterize all of the potential intermediates and final synthesis products.

Divergent Synthesis of Axially Chiral 2-Pyranones and Fused 2-Pyridones via -Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Atroposelective [3 + 3] Annulation.

An -heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed atroposelective [3 + 3] annulation of alkynyl acylazoliums with benzothiazole derivatives has been developed for the divergent synthesis of axially chiral triaryl 2-pyranones and fused 2-pyridones. The regioselectivity of this protocol depends on the structure of benzothiazoles with three different nucleophilic centers. The obtained axially chiral frameworks represent a new class of arylheterocycle atropisomers, which may be potentially useful in medicinal chemistry.

Associations between the gut microbiome, inflammation and cardiovascular profiles in people with HIV.

Background: Inflammation and innate immune activation are associated with chronic HIV infection, despite effective treatment. Although gut microbiota alterations are linked to systemic inflammation, the relationships between the gut microbiome, inflammation and HIV remain unclear.

Methods: The UPBEAT-CAD sub-study, examining cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in HIV, enrolled participants matched on HIV status and traditional CVD risk factors.

Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: An Epidemiological Study Using A Global Network of Health Care Organizations.

Objective: Evaluate prevalence of new onset autoimmune conditions (ACs) after commencement of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: This retrospective observational study was done using TriNetX. Patients with neoplasm for which ICIs were approved were stratified into two groups based on ICI use.

Abnormal Esophageal Scintigraphy Associates With a Distinct Clinical Phenotype in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), absent contractility (AC) rather than ineffective esophageal motility on manometry is associated with a severe esophageal and extraintestinal phenotype. We sought to determine whether slow esophageal transit on scintigraphy associates with a comparable clinical phenotype to that of AC on manometry, as scintigraphy may serve as a noninvasive approach to risk-stratify patients with SSc.

Methods: Clinical, demographic, and serologic features were compared between patients with and without delayed esophageal transit on scintigraphy.

Is Social Jetlag Associated With Physical Fitness Among Spanish Adolescents? Insights From the EHDLA Study.

Background: The misalignment of sleeping times during weekdays/weekends (i.e., social jetlag) is particularly common among adolescents and plausibly associated with their physical fitness.

Allergic Rhinitis and Its Associated Co-Morbidities Among Patients Attending the ENT Department at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Northern Tanzania: Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is the specific inflammation against allergen by immune defense cells on the nasal mucosa, which can lead to chronic nasal symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It is associated with high morbidity including sinusitis, asthma, otitis media, hypertrophied inferior turbinate, and nasal polyps. Despite its complications, it remains poorly recognized and tracked.

Direct Observation of Substantial Phonon Nonequilibrium Near Nanoscale Hotspots in Gallium Nitride.

Phonon modal nonequilibrium is believed to widely exist around nanoscale hotspots, which can significantly affect the performance of nano-electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, such a phenomenon has not been explicitly observed in 3D device semiconductors at the nanoscale. Here, by employing a tip-enhanced Raman thermal measurement approach, substantial phonon nonequilibrium in gallium nitride near sub-10 nm laser-excited hotspots is directly revealed for the first time.

Influence of Unspecific Visual-Perceptual-Cognitive Task Constraints on Jump Ability and Reactive Strength in Federated Soccer Players.

Soccer players must react quickly and execute complex mental processes to adapt to competitive scenarios while maintaining peak physical performance. Perceptual-cognitive training methods integrate reaction tasks using nonspecific visual stimuli with game-like motor actions, but the impact on explosive strength responses is unclear. This study investigates the effect of nonspecific visual stimuli with varying perceptual-cognitive constraints on jump performance, including countermovement jump height, reactive strength index modified, action time, and reaction time.

Integrative Transcriptome-Wide Association Study With Expression Quantitative Trait Loci Colocalization Identifies a Causal VAMP8 Variant for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Susceptibility.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Asia-prevalent malignancy, yet its genetic underpinnings remain incompletely understood. Here, a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) is conducted on NPC, leveraging gene expression prediction models based on epithelial tissues and genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from 1577 NPC cases and 6359 controls of southern Chinese descent. The TWAS identifies VAMP8 on chromosome 2p11.