Development of point-of-care tests for urinary bladder cancer - an historic review and view to future prospectives.

Urine is an attractive biospecimen for noninvasive tests to facilitate bladder tumor diagnostics. Three different point-of-care (POC) tests based on lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) are currently commercially available: UBC® Rapid Test, BTA stat®, and NMP22 BladderChek. The present review discusses these different tests based on their performance, clinical utility and the nature of the respective analytes.

Perioperative Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease: A Review of Clinical Factors Associated With Prolonged Ventilation and Length of Stay in Four Common CHD Operations.

Objectives: Perioperative management strategies and outcomes for low-risk congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery vary between institutions. To date, no consensus exists on standardized management for pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study seeks to benchmark the perioperative management of 4 common CHD lesions and explore clinical factors affecting postoperative outcomes.

Central and peripheral kynurenine pathway metabolites in COVID-19: Implications for neurological and immunological responses.

Long-term symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in individuals affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway have been proposed to account for cognitive impairment in COVID-19 patients. Here, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites in 53 COVID-19 patients and 12 non-inflammatory neurological disease controls in Sweden were measured with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (UPLC-MS/MS) and correlated with immunological markers and neurological markers.

Conceptual framework for data harmonisation in mental health using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: an example with the R2D2-MH consortium.

Introduction: Advancing research and support for neurologically diverse populations requires novel data harmonisation methods that are capable of aligning with contemporary approaches to understanding health and disability.

Objectives: We present the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a conceptual framework to support harmonisation of mental health data and present a proof of principle within the Risk and Resilience in Developmental Diversity and Mental Health (R2D2-MH) consortium.

Method: 138 measures from various mental health datasets were linked to the ICF following the WHO's established linking rules.

Expert recommendations on treatment sequencing and challenging clinical scenarios in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2-positive) metastatic breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and/or ERBB2 gene amplification occurs in approximately 15-20% of breast cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. While the introduction of HER2-targeted therapies has significantly improved survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, the incidence of brain metastases has increased due to patients living longer. Current recommendations sequence treatments by line of therapy, as well as by the status of brain metastases in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

The understanding of dynamic birth positions for women in labor and childbirth - A hybrid concept analysis.

Problem And Background: The assessment of advantages and drawbacks associated with varying birthing positions has predominantly centered around medical or technical considerations and few studies have accounted for a woman's ability to attune to her bodily instincts during labor and birth. The objective of this study was to define the concept of dynamic birth positions and its significance within the birthing process.

Methods: This hybrid concept analysis consisted of three phases: theoretical, fieldwork, and analytical.

Health effects of selected environmental Exposomes Across the Life courSe in Indian populations using longitudinal cohort studies: GEOHealth HEALS Study protocol.

Introduction: Air pollution presents a major public health threat to India, affecting more than three quarters of the country's population. In the current project, GEOHealth Health Effects of Selected Environmental Exposomes Across the Life CourSe-India, we aim to study the effect of environmental exposomes-fine particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O) and extremes of temperature-on multiple health outcomes using a modified life course approach. The associated training grant aims to build capacity in India to address the unique environmental health problems.

Longitudinal follow-up of hearing, speech, and language skills in 6-year-old children with congenital moderate hearing loss.

Objectives: Children born with moderate hearing loss present with speech and language outcomes at both ends of the spectrum. To explore reasons for this, the objective of this study was to follow up a group of children born with moderate sensorineural hearing loss at 6 years of age (n = 7) by investigating their outcomes in hearing, speech, and language development from time point of hearing aid fitting at 6 months. Another objective was to investigate the relationship between earlier outcomes on precursing variables to the current status in auditory, speech and language development.

Enhancing preventive and therapeutic cancer vaccine efficacy through biotherapeutic ligand-associated extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), secreted by almost all living cells, have gained significant attention for their role in intercellular communication and their potential as versatile carriers for biotherapeutics. However, the clinical translation of EV-based therapies faces significant challenges, primarily due to the lack of efficient methods for loading biotherapeutic agents into EVs. This study introduces a simple, reproducible strategy for the simultaneous incorporation of various biotherapeutics within EVs.

Spatial patterns of high-risk biomechanical metrics in plaques with abnormal vs. normal physiological flow indices.

Background: Plaques associated with abnormally low physiological flow reserve indices are appropriate for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, recent trials demonstrate that PCI of ischemia-producing lesions does not reduce major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Low endothelial shear stress (ESS) or high ESS gradient (ESSG) are associated with MACE wherever they occur along the plaque.

Evaluating the reproducibility and validity of maximal mouth opening measurement techniques.

Objectives: A limitation of the maximal mouth opening (MMO) is a frequent complication of oral (cancer) surgery. The measurement between the right central incisors is considered the golden standard for assessing MMO, although it has been noted to overestimate MMO in edentulous patients. This study aims to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of four MMO techniques and to determine the extent to which they are dependent on the remaining dentition.

Digital Media Usage Behavior and Its Impact on the Physician-Patient Relationship: Cross-Sectional Study Among Individuals Affected by Psoriasis in Germany.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder with a high burden of disease. People affected with psoriasis increasingly use the internet for health-related reasons, especially those with younger age, higher education, and higher disease severity. Despite advantages such as enhancing the individuals' knowledge with the use of digital media for health-related issues, disadvantages were also present such as quality control, and variability in the individuals' health information literacy.

Photothermal induction of pyroptosis in malignant glioma spheroids using (16-mercaptohexadecyl)trimethylammonium bromide-modified cationic gold nanorods.

Plasmonic photothermal therapy (PPTT) employing plasmonic gold nanorods (GNRs) presents a potent strategy for eradication of tumors including aggressive brain gliomas. Despite its promise, there is a pressing need for a more comprehensive evaluation of PPTT using sophisticated in vitro models that closely resemble tumor tissues, thereby facilitating the elucidation of therapeutic mechanisms. In this study, we exposed 3D glioma spheroids (tumoroids) to (16-mercaptohexadecyl)trimethylammonium bromide-functionalized gold nanorods (MTAB-GNRs) and a near-infrared (NIR) laser.

Prospective multicenter study to describe the prevalence, outcomes, and management of phosphate disorders in intensive care patients: Study protocol for part B of the international GUTPHOS study.

Background: Aberrations in blood phosphate (Pi) levels, whether presenting as hypo- or hyperphosphatemia, appear to be associated with clinical complications and adverse outcomes in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). However, the prevalence of Pi disorders and the association with subsequent factors and organ failures leading to death in ICU patients are poorly described. Despite endeavors to understand the etiology and treatment of low Pi levels from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the literature lacks comprehensive guidance for managing hypophosphatemia.

Prospective multicenter study to validate the gastrointestinal dysfunction score (GIDS) in intensive care patients: Study protocol for Part A of the international GUTPHOS study.

Background: While gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is commonly encountered among critically ill patients, a uniform prospectively validated scoring system is lacking. The present study aims to validate the recently developed Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Score (GIDS) in a multicenter, prospective cohort of consecutive adult patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU).

Methods: GUTPHOS is a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional cohort study in which at least 1400 consecutive adult patients (age ≥18 years) admitted to the ICU will be monitored daily for abdominal signs and symptoms of GI dysfunction.

Passive immunization of mice with IgY anti-H5N1 protects against experimental influenza virus infection and allows development of protective immunity.

Influenza virus contributes substantially to the global human and animal disease burden. To protect individuals against disease, strategies are needed to minimize the time an individual is at risk of developing disease symptoms. Passive immunization using avian IgY antibodies can protect individuals against a variety of pathogens, including influenza virus.

Registered nurses' experiences of caring for patients with hypoactive delirium after cardiac surgery - A qualitative study.

Objectives: Delirium is a common post-cardiac surgery complication that presents as acute changes in mental abilities with confused thinking and a lack of awareness of the surroundings. Delirium symptoms present in hyperactive- and hypoactive forms. Hypoactive delirium is often overlooked.

The HepHIV 2023 Madrid conference: A call to action for political leadership in reaching the sustainable development goals on earlier testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

Introduction And Objectives: The HepHIV 2023 Conference, held in Madrid in November 2023, highlighted how Europe is not on track to meet the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals and Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) targets. This article presents the outcomes of the conference, which focus on ways to improve testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections. HIV-related stigma and discrimination, a major barrier to progress, was a key concept of the conference and on the agenda of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union.