Ancient genomics and the origin, dispersal, and development of domestic sheep.

The origins and prehistory of domestic sheep () are incompletely understood; to address this, we generated data from 118 ancient genomes spanning 12,000 years sampled from across Eurasia. Genomes from Central Türkiye ~8000 BCE are genetically proximal to the domestic origins of sheep but do not fully explain the ancestry of later populations, suggesting a mosaic of wild ancestries. Genomic signatures indicate selection by ancient herders for pigmentation patterns, hornedness, and growth rate.

Effectiveness of using implementation frameworks to facilitate the implementation of a stroke management guideline in the traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in China: protocol for a factorial randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used alongside Western medicine for stroke management in China. However, there is significant variation in TCM practice, and the utilisation of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines is inadequate. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of three popular frameworks-Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Normalization Process Theory (NPT)-in improving implementation outcomes for the integrated TCM and Western medicine clinical practice guideline for stroke management.

Oral Regimens for Rifampin-Resistant, Fluoroquinolone-Susceptible Tuberculosis.

Background: For decades, poor treatment options and low-quality evidence plagued care for patients with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis. The advent of new drugs to treat tuberculosis and enhanced funding now permit randomized, controlled trials of shortened-duration, all-oral treatments for rifampin-resistant tuberculosis.

Methods: We conducted a phase 3, multinational, open-label, randomized, controlled noninferiority trial to compare standard therapy for treatment of fluoroquinolone-susceptible, rifampin-resistant tuberculosis with five 9-month oral regimens that included various combinations of bedaquiline (B), delamanid (D), linezolid (L), levofloxacin (Lfx) or moxifloxacin (M), clofazimine (C), and pyrazinamide (Z).

Autism, ADHD, and Their Traits in Adults With Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: A Scoping Review.

Objective: This review maps existing literature on the prevalence of autism and ADHD in adult patients with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED); patient and stakeholder perspectives on this comorbidity; clinical differences in this population; and potential treatment adaptations or adjunct therapies. This is with the aim to inform future research priorities to improve clinical practice.

Method: As pre-registered, and following PRISMA guidelines, six databases (Embase, MEDLINE via Ovid, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Scopus) were searched for studies regarding autism and/or ADHD (diagnosed, probable, or traits) in adult patients with BN or BED.

"Evaluating Current Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges in Colorectal Cancer: Strategies for improving care and outcomes in Georgia".

Purpose: An initial analysis of population-based cancer survival data from Georgia revealed lower CRC survival rates compared to high-income countries. We conducted the study to address this issue and propose strategies for enhancing CRC care.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed CRC statistics, reviewed screening programs, and examined published CRC research in Georgia.

Exosomal Liquid Biopsy in Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review of Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment Response.

Prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men, often presents challenges in accurate diagnosis and effective monitoring. This systematic review explores the potential of exosomal biomolecules as noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of prostate cancer. A thorough systematic literature search through online public databases (Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of science) using structured search terms and screening using predefined eligibility criteria resulted in 137 studies that we analyzed in this systematic review.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

PROGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF SST2 IN HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION, A BIOMARKER OF CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY AND REHOSPITALIZATION.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) poses a substantial burden on healthcare systems and society, necessitating effective diagnostic tools for enhanced patient management. The soluble suppression of tumorigenesis 2 protein (Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenesis 2 (sST2)) has emerged as a promising biomarker linked to cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. This study investigates Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenesis 2 (sST2)'s potential as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for chronic heart failure (CHF) and explores its clinical utility in predicting outcomes.

Awake Craniotomy in Neurosurgery: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most-Cited Articles and Review of Technological Advancements.

Awake craniotomy (AC) is a critical neurosurgical technique for maximizing tumor resection in eloquent brain regions while preserving essential neurological functions like speech and motor control. Despite its widespread adoption, no prior bibliometric analysis has evaluated the most influential research in this field. This study analyzed the top 100 most-cited articles on AC to identify key trends, influential works, and authorship demographics.

Textbook Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing CRS+HIPEC for Peritoneal Surface Malignancies in an Eastern European Population.

Background: The preferred treatment option for patients with limited peritoneal metastasis (PM) is cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC).While the textbook outcome (TO) concept has been applied to other complex surgeries, its prevalence, determinants, and impact in patients with PM remain unclear. This study sought to identify factors influencing TO among individuals with PM undergoing CRS+HIPEC in an Eastern European population.

Recreating the Endocrine Niche: Advances in Bioengineering the Pancreas.

Intrahepatic islet transplantation is a promising strategy for β-cell replacement therapy in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. However, several obstacles hinder the long-term efficacy of this therapy. A major challenge is the scarcity of donor organs.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Stem Cell Therapies for Pain in Diabetic Neuropathy, Osteoarthritis, and Spinal Cord Injuries.

Purpose Of Review: The use of stem cell therapy is a rapidly evolving and progressing frontier of science that has been used to treat illnesses such as malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and metabolic syndromes. This review aims to give an overview of the use of stem cell therapy in the treatment of pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and other spinal cord pathologies.

Recent Findings: Pain is defined as a generalized or localized feeling of distress related to a physical or emotional stimulus and can be caused by a multitude of pathologies.

Safety and efficacy of a modified suprachoroidal silicone tube shunt implant in primary open angle and pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of a modified suprachoroidal silicone tube (SST) shunt in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma (PXG) in this experimental study.

Methods: In this single-center, retrospective longitudinal data analysis 66 eyes of 59 patients having POAG and PXG were included and treated with modified SST shunt in combination with cataract or as a stand-alone procedure. Pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), C/D ratio and ocular adverse events (AEs) were assessed in all participants.

The Relationship between Homocysteine Levels, Polymorphism, and Pregnancy Outcomes in Georgian Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Over the past decade, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the role of homocysteine and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase () gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), yet the results are inconsistent. The aim of the current study was to determine the association between homocysteine levels (Hcy), ) and A1298C polymorphisms, and pregnancy outcomes in Georgian women with PCOS.

Materials And Methods: This case-control study included 177 female participants, of which 96 women were diagnosed with PCOS, and 81 age-matched women were without PCOS.

The effect of a general practitioner's perception of a patient request for antibiotics on antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: secondary analysis of a point prevalence audit survey in 18 European countries.

Background: Illness severity, comorbidity, fever, age and symptom duration influence antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTI). Non-medical determinants, such as patient expectations, also impact prescribing.

Aim: To quantify the effect of general practitioners' (GPs') perception of a patient request for antibiotics on antibiotic prescribing for RTI and investigate effect modification by medical determinants and country.

Gene expression dynamics in fibroblasts during early-stage murine pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by aggressive growth and metastasis, partly driven by fibroblast-mediated stromal interactions. Using RNA sequencing of fibroblasts from early-stage KPC mouse models, we identified significant upregulation of genes involved in adipogenesis, fatty acid metabolism, and the ROS pathway. ANGPTL4, a key adipogenesis regulator, was highly expressed in fibroblasts and promoted pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration through paracrine signaling.

A Comprehensive Review of Pathophysiological Link Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Insulin Resistance, and Metabolic Syndrome.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic condition characterized by hepatic steatosis in the absence of significant alcohol consumption and is increasingly recognized as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between NAFLD, insulin resistance (IR), and MetS, with a focus on identifying therapeutic targets. A comprehensive review of existing literature on NAFLD, IR, and MetS was conducted.

Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity Among School-Aged Children in the Country of Georgia: A Cross-Sectional Study, 2022.

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity are significant global public health challenges that affect approximately 340 million children worldwide. In Georgia, the prevalence of childhood obesity is alarming, with approximately 28% of 7-year-old children classified as overweight or obese in 2019. This study aimed to investigate the key factors associated with overweight and obesity among school-age children in Georgia.

Molecular biomarkers of glial activation and injury in epilepsy.

Increasing evidence from fluid biopsies suggests activation and injury of glial cells in epilepsy. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical seizures in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and others merits review and comparison of the effects of seizures on glial markers in epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases with concomitant seizures. Herein, we revisit preclinical and clinical reports of alterations in glial proteins in cerebrospinal fluid and blood associated with various types of epilepsy.

Serial systemic immune inflammation indices: markers of acute migraine events or indicators of persistent inflammatory status?

Background: Migraine is the most common complex neurological disorder, affecting over a billion people worldwide. Neurogenic inflammation has long been recognized as a key factor in the pathophysiology of migraine though little research has been directed to investigating whether inflammation is greatest in migraine with aura or without, and whether inflammation is a permanent state in migraine or whether is an event related transitory state. Thus, the primary aim of this single-centre, retrospective study was to explore the potential clinical utility of the Serial Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Indices (SSIIi) as a comparative measure of duration and severity of inflammation derived from routine blood cell counts in migraine patients with aura and no-aura both within an acute inpatient setting and as outpatients.

Nosocomial Pneumonia in Georgia: A Study of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Versus Non-extended ESBL Gram-Negative Bacterial Profiles.

Background: Nosocomial pneumonia is a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance among Gram-negative bacteria. The production of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) exacerbates treatment complexities.

Aim: This study investigates the prevalence and resistance patterns of ESBL-producing and non-ESBL Gram-negative bacteria in nosocomial pneumonia cases in Georgian hospitals to inform antibiotic stewardship and treatment strategies.

Comparing the Artificial Intelligence Detection Models to Standard Diagnostic Methods and Alternative Models in Identifying Alzheimer's Disease in At-Risk or Early Symptomatic Individuals: A Scoping Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative illnesses place a heavy strain on the world's healthcare systems, particularly among the aging population. With a focus on research from January 2022 to September 2023, this scoping review, which adheres to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-Scr) criteria, examines the changing landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) applications for early AD detection and diagnosis. Forty-four carefully chosen articles were selected from a pool of 2,966 articles for the qualitative synthesis.

Hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome and adrenal hyperplasia: finding differences to make a specific diagnosis.

Purpose: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are two pathologic conditions sharing several clinical features (hirsutism, acne, polycystic ovary morphology, metabolic alterations, ovulatory dysfunctions) and especially hyperandrogenism as a common clinical hallmark. Therefore, making a differential diagnosis of the two conditions still remains a great medical challenge.

Methods: In particular, the comparison discussed in this review referred to non-classical form of adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH), which regards the adult population, and the Endocrine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), following the new set of PCOS diagnostic criteria proposed by the Experts Group on Inositol and Clinical Research, and on PCOS (EGOI-PCOS).

Novel Cyclic Peptide-Drug Conjugate P6-SN38 Toward Targeted Treatment of EGFR Overexpressed Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Here, we report on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel peptide-drug conjugate, P6-SN38, which consists of the EGFR-specific short cyclic peptide, P6, and the Topo I inhibitor SN38, which is a bioactive metabolite of the anticancer drug irinotecan. SN38 is attached to the peptide at position 20 of the E ring's tertiary hydroxyl group via a mono-succinate linker. The developed peptide-drug conjugate (PDC) exhibited sub-micromolar anticancer activity on EGFR-positive (EGFR+) cell lines but no effect on EGFR-negative (EGFR-) cells.

Awareness and Knowledge of Lead Poisoning: A Street Survey in Three Municipalities of Georgia.

Lead poisoning is a serious public health problem, especially for children. Despite screening programs to reduce lead exposure, there is still a lack of knowledge about its harmful impact. The study aimed to analyze how aware people in Georgia are about lead poisoning and its health effects.