Transcoding number words to typed multi-digit numerals: revisiting the strange case in Arabic bilinguals.

Language-specific effects are observed in the performance of numerical tasks. We evaluated the effect of the number word system (non-inverted; decade-unit format HDU vs inverted; unit-decade format HUD) in multi-digit numbers on transcoding performance among Arabic-Hebrew bilingual university students. Both languages are written right-to-left, but only in Arabic the sequence of number words is inverted, with units stipulated before decades (e.

Risk assessment of gross alpha-beta activity concentration in drinking water in Kuwait: baseline measurements and review.

This study measured the gross alpha and beta radiation in Kuwait's drinking water sources, including local and imported bottled and public-piped water, to assess safety and establish consumer trust. The assessment aimed to establish a baseline for gross alpha and gross beta activity levels and to validate a rapid emergency detection method, following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The results indicated that gross alpha and beta radiation concentrations and total effective doses remained within the safe limits established by WHO for all water types.

Current status and future directions for the diagnosis and management of mild cognitive impairment in Southeast Asia: A SEACURE consensus paper.

Global aging populations are facing increased prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) - the preclinical stage of dementia characterized by single/multi-domain neurocognitive decline that does not impair an individual's normal daily functioning. Asian populations are at increased risk of developing MCI and dementia, and many cases go undetected in Southeast Asia (SEA), resulting in increased burden on patients, caregivers and national healthcare systems. There is an urgent need for efficient and scalable diagnostic and management strategies across SEA.

Leveraging space innovations for cancer breakthroughs on Earth.

Space science is reshaping oncology by providing novel insights into cancer biology, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The unique space environment - characterized by microgravity and cosmic radiation - induces profound alterations in cancer cell behavior, immune responses, and tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions. These conditions offer a platform for studying cancer progression, enhancing drug discovery, and refining treatment strategies.

Oxidative stress and inflammation on metabolic abnormalities and renal involvement in prediabetic subjects across Europe.

Background: Studying the mechanisms involved in the transition from prediabetes to diabetes and its associated complications, such as kidney disease, is a growing challenge. This study focuses on identifying valuable biomarkers for the early detection of kidney damage, evaluating molecules associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in prediabetic individuals across Europe.

Methods: In plasma samples from individuals with prediabetes included in the ePREDICE study, we determined molecules related to oxidative stress (advance oxidative protein products-AOPP) and inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein - CRP; Interleukin 6 - IL-6), and correlated them with anthropometric and biochemical data, assessing their potential for the early diagnosis of renal involvement.

Improving Outcomes in Mental Health (IOMH)-an Australian longitudinal clinical study of families with children with neurodevelopmental problems: cohort profile.

Purpose: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) face a range of challenges which impact their daily functioning and that of their family. NDDs are often associated with significant mental health problems which can influence the course. The Improving Outcomes in Mental Health cohort described in this article aims to investigate the risk factors for the persistence and severity of mental health problems in children with NDDs.

Exogenous sex steroid hormones and asthma phenotypes: a study protocol for a prospective cohort analysis with UK-wide primary care data.

Introduction: The role of female sex hormones and their influence on asthma's development and natural history remain uncertain. Our study aims to enhance understanding of exogenous sex hormones' role in asthma development and manifestation, considering phenotypic heterogeneity and focusing on metabolic syndrome-linked asthma that has shown increased severity in females.

Methods And Analysis: A cohort study using primary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) databases linked with additional data sources (Hospital Episode Statistics, ethnicity and deprivation) will include individuals aged 16-70 years, spanning 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2019.

Cardiovascular disease burden and risk factor management in cancer survivors: insights into a multiethnic, socioeconomically deprived urban population.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden and risk factor management among cancer survivors, especially in socioeconomically deprived, multiethnic populations, remain understudied. This study examines CVD burden and risk factor control in survivors of 20 cancer types within a diverse urban population.

Methods: This matched cohort study used electronic health records from 127 urban primary care practices.

Status of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Clinical Application and Scientific Research: A National Survey in China.

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is rapidly expanding in China, yet comprehensive national data on its clinical application and research status are limited. This study aims to evaluate the current landscape of CMR across the country.

Methods: An electronic survey was conducted targeting two groups: physicians trained at the Fuwai Fellowship Program and members of the Chinese Society of Radiology.

Accuracy of Instantaneous Wave-free Ratio and Fractional Flow Reserve Derived From Single Coronary Angiographic Projections.

Background: Angiography-derived Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) software has been developed using pressure wire based FFR as the reference, however most software requires two angiographic views ≥25 degrees apart limiting their clinical utility. This study aims to validate in a prospective multi-center registry the diagnostic performance of a novel angiography derived instantaneous wave-free ratio (Angio-iFR, Royal Philips, Amsterdam) with pressure wire-based iFR as reference.

Methods: Coronary angiograms were obtained from patients with coronary artery lesions of between 40-90% severity and both iFR and FFR measurements.

Rationale and design of the TeleClinical Care (TCC) -Cardiac trial: A pragmatic randomized trial of adjunctive virtual models of care in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.

Background: Digital health interventions have potential to improve outcomes in high risk cardiac patients through remote monitoring and patient education but introduce accessibility issues among patients who lack suitable smartphones. We will evaluate the effectiveness and scalability of the TeleClinical Care Cardiac (TCC-Cardiac) platform, that aims to reduce hospital readmissions and improve adherence to care.

Methods: A pragmatic, all-comers trial with nested randomization, where patients being discharged home following an admission with acute myocardial infarction (MI) or decompensated heart failure (HF) are divided into three cohorts pragmatically, based on their access to technology.

Activation of neutrophil extracellular trap formation in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction.

Introduction: Pathophysiological differences between heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remain poorly understood. Therefore, we performed pathway analyses from whole blood transcriptomics to distinguish HFpEF from HFrEF.

Methods: Lexogen's QuantSeq was used to carry out whole blood transcriptomics in 500 patients with HF (HFpEF n=250, HFrEF n=250).

Investigation on the association between Osteopontin and Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms and vancomycin-induced acute kidney injury: A pharmacokinetic/pharmacogenetic study in critically ill patients.

Vancomycin is a commonly administered antibiotic for various Gram-positive infections in critically ill patients. Vancomycin has a narrow therapeutic index and its main adverse drug reaction is acute kidney injury (AKI). In this regard, various pharmacokinetic parameters have been widely considered for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) purposes.

Long-term safety and efficacy of delgocitinib cream for up to 52 weeks in adults with Chronic Hand Eczema: results of the phase 3 open-label extension DELTA 3 trial following the DELTA 1 and 2 trials.

Background: There are no topical treatments that have been specifically developed and approved for moderate to severe Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE).

Objective: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g as needed for 36 weeks in adults with CHE.

Methods: In phase 3 open-label DELTA 3 (NCT04949841), patients who completed the 16-week(W) treatment period in DELTA 1 and 2 were treated on an as-needed basis with twice-daily delgocitinib for 36 weeks (n=801).

Peripheral airways dysfunction is a major contributor to poor quality of life in sarcoidosis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is characterized by reduced quality of life (QoL), yet QoL is poorly correlated to conventional spirometric lung function tests.

Research Question: What is the relationship of a QoL measure with comprehensive lung function assessment using oscillometry in sarcoidosis?.

Study Design And Methods: Sixty-two patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis completed the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), a respiratory QoL measure, and underwent lung function assessment including oscillometry, spirometry, diffusion capacity, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE) and body plethysmography.

Family-Integrated Advance Care Planning for Cancer Patients: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study.

Context: Advance care planning programs which focus on facilitating conversations among families are scant. We developed a family-integrated Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG-Fam).

Objectives: This study aims to examine the ability and acceptability of the SICG-Fam for advanced cancer patients, family members and physicians in Japan.

Plant-based Diet and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analyses to evaluate the impact of plant-based diet (PBD) on chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted from inception to August 2023 to evaluate the association between adopting a PBD and the incidence, progression, and mortality of CKD. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model.

Help-seeking preferences and barriers for mental health problems among university students in Portugal, Germany, and Sweden.

Background: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students, underscoring the need to improve access to effective interventions. Mental healthcare utilization is influenced by general and country-specific factors. This study aimed to identify and compare preferences and barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems among university students in three European countries.

Association of branched-chain amino acids with major depressive disorder: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Recent studies have linked branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism with the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, it is unclear whether associations of plasma BCAA levels with MDD are causal or driven by reverse causality.

Methods: Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to investigate the causal association of genetically determined BCAA levels with the risk of MDD.

Dioxygenation of tryptophan residues by superoxide and myeloperoxidase.

When neutrophils ingest pathogens into phagosomes, they generate large amounts of the superoxide radical through the reduction of molecular oxygen. Superoxide is essential for effective antimicrobial defence, but the precise role it plays in bacterial killing is unknown. Within phagosomes, superoxide reacts with the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) and is converted to hydrogen peroxide, then subsequently to the bactericidal oxidant hypochlorous acid.

Proteomics analysis of porcine endometrial cell-derived extracellular vesicles involved in embryo attachment.

Maternal-embryo interactions play a critical role in early mammalian development, with extracellular vesicles (EVs) playing a key role in intercellular communication. Recent studies have focused on the mechanisms by which maternal-derived factors, such as RNA, proteins, and metabolites influence gap junctions, EVs, and direct cell-to-cell interactions, contributing to embryonic development. In this study, using a proteomics approach, we investigated the impact of EVs secreted from porcine endometrial cells (pEECs) and their protein cargoes on embryonic development.

Multifunctional incretin peptides in therapies for type 2 diabetes, obesity and associated co-morbidities.

Recent studies with peptide-based incretin herapies have focussed mainly on the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide and the dual agonist tirzepatide that engages receptors for GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Randomised clinical trials and 'real-world' studies have confirmed the marked glucose-lowering and weight-lowering efficacy of these agents across diverse populations. These include different ethnic groups, young and elderly individuals with and without diabetes and/or overweight or obesity.

Bi-allelic variants in three genes encoding distinct subunits of the vesicular AP-5 complex cause hereditary macular dystrophy.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of Mendelian disorders that often lead to progressive vision loss and involve approximately 300 distinct genes. Although variants in these loci account for the majority of molecular diagnoses, other genes associated with IRD await molecular identification. In this study, we uncover bi-allelic assortments of 23 different (22 loss-of-function) variants in AP5Z1, AP5M1, and AP5B1 as independent causes of recessive IRD in members of 19 families from nine countries.

Pathological interplay of NF-κB and M1 macrophages in chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

Inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis depend on the pathology of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway and M1 macrophage polarization. This review discusses the intimate molecular interactions and processes that modulate NF-κB's promotion of M1 macrophages and chronic inflammation/tissue damage within the confines of this review. NF-κB activation in macrophages produces pro-inflammatory mediators (cytokines - TNFα, IL6, IL1β, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), further increasing airway remodeling and fibrosis.