"We need to be heard. We need to be seen": A thematic analysis of black maternal experiences of birthing and postnatal care in England within the context of Covid-19.

Objective: Inequalities for Black women within maternity settings are longstanding, with evidence showing higher mortality, complications and distress compared to White women. The Covid-19 pandemic saw unprecedented changes to maternity services, with emerging evidence highlighting a disproportionate impact on mothers from ethnically minoritized backgrounds. This uniquely positioned study explores Black women's experiences of services during Covid-19.

The distress context of social calls evokes a fear response in the bat Pipistrellus abramus.

Bats primarily use sound information, including echolocation, for social communication. Bats under stressful conditions, for example when confronted by a predator, will emit aggressive social calls. The presentation of aggressive social calls, including distress calls (DCs), is known to increase heart rate (fH), but how this change in fH is related to the bat's sound perception and how this evokes behaviors such as the fear response is unknown.

Dual targeting of HS synthesizing enzymes; cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase by miR-939-5p effectively curbs triple negative breast cancer.

Introduction: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been recently scrutinized for its critical role in aggravating breast cancer (BC) tumorigenicity. Several cancers aberrantly express HS synthesizing enzymes; Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). However, their levels and interdependence in BC require further studies.

Whole systems approach to diet and healthy weight: a longitudinal process evaluation in East Scotland.

Aims: Obesity contributes to morbidity and early mortality, affecting people of all ages and sociodemographic backgrounds. Despite attempts to address obesity, efforts to date have only had limited success. Adopting a whole systems approach (WSA) may potentially address obesity and emphasise complex inter-relating factors beyond individual choice.

The association between traumatic experiences and substance and behavioral addictions in late adolescence: A role for PTSD and cPTSD as potential mediators.

Background & Aim: Traumatic experiences (TEs) are a risk factor for behavioral and substance addictions (SBAs). However, the role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (cPTSD) deserves further elucidation. The present study assesses the association between different types of TEs on cannabis, alcohol, gambling, and problematic internet use in late adolescents.

Nedaplatin/ Alkaloids Co-Loaded Electrospun, Implantable Nanofibers: A Chemopreventive Nano-Delivery System for Treating and Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence after Tumorectomy.

Currently, the main pillars in treating breast cancer involve tumorectomy pursued by hormonal, radio, or chemotherapies. Nonetheless, these approaches exhibit severe adverse effects and might suffer from tumor recurrence. Therefore, there is a considerable demand to fabricate an innovative controlled-release nano-delivery system to be implanted after tumor surgical removal to guard against cancer recurrence.

Remote Determination of Critical Speed and Critical Power in Recreational Runners.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare estimations of critical speed (CS) and work completed above CS (D'), and their analogies for running power (critical power [CP] and W'), derived from raw data obtained from habitual training (HAB) and intentional maximal efforts in the form of time trials (TTs) and 3-minute all-out tests (3MTs) in recreational runners. The test-retest reliability of the 3MT was further analyzed.

Methods: Twenty-three recreational runners (4 female) used a foot pod to record speed, altitude, and power output for 8 consecutive weeks.

Erdafitinib in BCG-treated high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Background: Treatment options are limited for patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with disease recurrence after bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment and who are ineligible for/refuse radical cystectomy. FGFR alterations are commonly detected in NMIBC. We evaluated the activity of oral erdafitinib, a selective pan-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, versus intravesical chemotherapy in patients with high-risk NMIBC and select FGFR3/2 alterations following recurrence after BCG treatment.

Novel Siglec-15-Sia axis inhibitor leads to colorectal cancer cell death by targeting miR-6715b-3p and oncogenes.

Siglecs are well known immunotherapeutic targets in cancer. Current checkpoint inhibitors have exhibited limited efficacy, prompting a need for novel therapeutics for targets such as Siglec-15. Presently, small molecule inhibitors targeting Siglec-15 are not explored alongside characterised regulatory mechanisms involving microRNAs in CRC progression.

Newly Synthesized Anticancer Purine Derivatives Inhibiting -EIF4E Using Surface-Modified Lipid Nanovesicles.

Translation of mRNA is one of the processes adopted by cancer cells to maintain survival via phosphorylated ()-eIF4E overexpression. Once -eIF4E binds to the cap structure of mRNA, it advocates a nonstop translation process. In this regard, 15 new-based GMP analogs were synthesized to target eIF4E and restrain its binding to cap mRNA.

A narrative review of non-racemic amisulpride (SEP-4199) for treatment of depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder and LB-102 for treatment of schizophrenia.

Introduction: The challenges posed by treatment-resistant schizophrenia and depressive symptoms have led to ongoing difficulties despite the availability of antipsychotics and antidepressants. This review addresses the potential of amisulpride analogs, particularly SEP-4199, in addressing these challenges through enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.

Areas Covered: This review focuses on the pharmacological profile of amisulpride analogs, exemplified by LB-102 and its derivative SEP-4199.

Findings from the Tushirikiane mobile health (mHealth) HIV self-testing pragmatic trial with refugee adolescents and youth living in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda.

Introduction: Urban refugee youth remain underserved by current HIV prevention strategies, including HIV self-testing (HIVST). Examining HIVST feasibility with refugees can inform tailored HIV testing strategies. We examined if HIVST and mobile health (mHealth) delivery approaches could increase HIV testing uptake and HIV status knowledge among refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda.

Electrospun PVA nanofiber mat for topical Deflazacort delivery: accentuated anti-inflammatory efficacy for wound healing.

Purpose: Asses the wound healing activity of Polyvinyl alcohol - Deflazacort (PVA-DEF) nanofibers mats synthesized by electrospinning technology.

Methods: PVA-DEF nanofiber mats were created with various PVA polymer concentrations using an electrospinning process. The morphological features and diameter of the electrospun nanofibrous mats were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

A Territory-wide Study Investigating the Dose and Efficacy of Different Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Strains in Patients with Intermediate- and High-risk Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

Background: Current European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines support adjuvant intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment after Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURB) for intermediate- or high-risk Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) patients, aiming to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. The quality of data, however, does not allow definitive conclusions on whether different strains and dosages of BCG have different efficacies on long-term survival outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term survival outcomes of different strains and dosages of BCG in patients with NMIBC.

Nanotube breakthroughs: unveiling the potential of carbon nanotubes as a dual therapeutic arsenal for Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and brain tumors are debilitating neurological conditions that pose significant challenges in current medical practices. Existing treatment options for AD primarily focus on symptom management, and brain tumors often require aggressive therapeutic approaches. Novel disease-modifying strategies and therapeutic agents are urgently needed to address the underlying causes of AD pathogenesis and improve brain tumor management.

Opiate maintenance patients' attitudes and self-reported adherence to protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic we assessed to which extent patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) adhere to official recommendations regarding preventive intervention strategies against COVID-19.

Methods: Patients enrolled in two OMT clinics in Germany were interviewed applying a standardized questionnaire, which covered socio-demographic information, recent psychotropic substance use, recent social activities, the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, attitudes toward official protection recommendations, and levels of adherence to these suggestions. Current mental and medical diagnoses were retrieved from medical files.

Regional regulatory harmonisation initiatives: Their potential contribution to the newly established African Medicines Agency.

Background: Key regulatory entities can serve as building blocks for the African Medicines Agency (AMA). The aim of this study is to demonstrate how the regional medicines regulatory harmonisation programmes could contribute to AMA's effectiveness and efficiency.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using key words to identify publications about the AMA, African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) and East African Community Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation programmes (EAC-MRH) from 2009 to 2023.

Subjective Audibility Modulates the Susceptibility to Sound-Induced Flash Illusion: Effect of Loudness and Auditory Masking.

When a brief flash is presented along with two brief sounds, the single flash is often perceived as two flashes. This phenomenon is called a sound-induced flash illusion, in which the auditory sense, with its relatively higher reliability in providing temporal information, modifies the visual perception. Decline of audibility due to hearing impairment is known to make subjects less susceptible to the flash illusion.

Implementing Nanovesicles for Boosting the Skin Permeation of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs.

The consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have increased lately around the world, as they are considered essential and popular drugs for effective reduction of pain and inflammation. They have analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities; also, it was reported recently that they protect against various critical disorders like heart attacks and cancer. However, oral use of NSAIDs may cause several pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, cardiovascular, cerebral, and renal complications.

Box-Behnken design of thermo-responsive nano-liposomes loaded with a platinum(iv) anticancer complex: evaluation of cytotoxicity and apoptotic pathways in triple negative breast cancer cells.

Herein, thermo-responsive liposomes (TLs) loaded with Asp (Asp/TLs) were produced by self-assembling DPPC, DSPE-PEG2000, and cholesterol. The preparation variables were optimized using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The optimized Asp/TLs exhibited an average particle size of 114.

Advancements in Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: Unveiling Present and Future Perspectives.

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors presented themselves as important players in the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway, thus exerting a profound impact on various physiological and pathological processes. Beyond their well-known efficacy in treating male erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a plethora of studies have unveiled their significance in the treatment of a myriad of other diseases, including cognitive functions, heart failure, multiple drug resistance in cancer therapy, immune diseases, systemic sclerosis and others. This comprehensive review aims to provide an updated assessment of the crucial role played by PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) as disease-modifying agents taking their limiting side effects into consideration.

Co-inoculation timing affects the interspecific interactions between phoma stem canker pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and Leptosphaeria biglobosa.

Background: Phoma stem canker is an economically important disease of oilseed rape, caused by two co-existing fungal pathogen species, Leptosphaeria maculans (Plenodomus lingam) and Leptosphaeria biglobosa (Plenodomus biglobosus). Leptosphaeria maculans produces a phytotoxin called sirodesmin PL. Our previous work showed that L.

Virtual Screening and Biological Evaluation of Potential PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors as Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Agents.

Blockade of the programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoint pathway is an efficient immunotherapeutic modality that provided significant advances in cancer treatment especially in solid tumors highly resistant to traditional therapy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and small-molecule inhibitors are the two main strategies used to block this axis with mAbs suffering from many limitations. Accordingly, the current alternative is the development of small-molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.