Perceptions of diabetic retinopathy patients on the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in South Tarawa, Kiribati: A qualitative study.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common causes of legal blindness in developing countries, particularly between the ages of 20 to 65 years. Kiribati is currently facing the burden of DR where more than 5% of diabetes patients had experienced negative impacts of DR. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of DR patients on DR management in South Tarawa, Kiribati.

Estimating the impact of school closures on the COVID-19 dynamics in 74 countries: A modelling analysis.

Background: School closures have been a prominent component of the global Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. However, their effect on viral transmission, COVID-19 mortality and health care system pressure remains incompletely understood, as traditional observational studies fall short in assessing such population-level impacts.

Methods And Findings: We used a mathematical model to simulate the COVID-19 epidemics of 74 countries, incorporating observed data from 2020 to 2022 and historical school closure timelines.

Comparison of colored sticky traps for Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) on dairy cattle farms in Saraburi province, Thailand.

A sticky trap is a simple, low-cost method for the field estimation of insect population density. The present study was investigated the attraction of Stomoxys calcitrans using 5 different colors of sticky trap (blue, gray, transparent, white, and yellow). Throughout the sampling period, the sticky traps collected 1,559 S.

High-volume lactated Ringer's solution with human albumin versus standard-volume infusion as a prophylactic treatment for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: randomized clinical trial.

Background: Adverse events after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are rare, and post-ERCP pancreatitis is a serious adverse event. This study aimed to determine the role of aggressive intravenous hydration with lactated Ringer's solution at a specific volume with 20% human albumin before ERCP in reducing the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Methods: This study was a single-centre randomized clinical trial.

Comparison of Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) for nutritional assessment in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Malnutrition affects the prognosis and response to treatment in cancer patients. There is no gold standard for nutritional assessment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to compare Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in predicting mortality in HCC patients.

Comparative Analysis of Recurrent Neural Networks with Conjoint Fingerprints for Skin Corrosion Prediction.

Skin corrosion assessment is an essential toxicity end point that addresses safety concerns for topical dosage forms and cosmetic products. Previously, skin corrosion assessments required animal testing; however, differences in skin architecture and ethical concerns regarding animal models have fostered the advancement of alternative methods such as and models. This study aimed to develop deep learning (DL) models based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) for classifying skin corrosion of chemical compounds based on chemical language notation, molecular substructure, physicochemical properties, and a combination of these three properties called conjoint fingerprints.

Polymeric Nano-discs: A Versatile Nanocarrier Platform for Delivering Topical Theranostics.

Polymeric nano-discs offer a promising and adaptable nanocarrier platform for topical applications involving the targeted administration of drugs. These biocompatible polymer-based, disc-shaped, nanoscale structures have drawn interest due to their exceptional capacity to encapsulate a diverse range of theranostics. Theranostics, the concept of combining treatments and diagnostics into a single system, is the core of attraction.

Coping with cognitive decline in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia: a scoping review.

Objectives: This scoping review aims to map out the coping strategies among Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (PwMCI) and Persons with Mild Dementia (PwMD), identifying the facilitators and the barriers to the use of the strategies.

Method: We conducted a systematic search of peer-reviewed studies in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Under the guidance of the Coping Circumflex Model, we identified coping strategies and then conducted thematic synthesis.

What do we know: positive impact of hip-hop pedagogy on student's learning effects.

Over the last decade, hip-hop pedagogy has received a lot of attention in the field of education because of its significance in improving students' learning effects. This review articulates the current understanding of the positive impact of hip-hop pedagogy on students' learning effects within publications, an under-researched area. Based on a review of previous studies, this review innovatively examines six major elements of hip-hop pedagogy (DJ, MC, cypher, breakdance, knowledge, and graffiti) and concludes that the six major elements of hip-hop pedagogy can, in terms of the four dimensions of learning motivation, engagement, learning and memorization, and critical thinking, improve students' learning effects.

Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Progression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite the popularity of a ketogenic diet, no randomized, controlled trials have evaluated its efficacy on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) progression.

Methods: We conducted an 8-week, open-label, randomized controlled trial involving 24 patients with MASLD who were randomly assigned to either the home delivery ketogenic diet or a nutrition education program on adherence to the DASH diet. The primary outcome was a reduction in hepatic steatosis as measured by transient elastography.

A New Short-Term Assessment Condition for Evaluating Nonfunctional Electromyographic Activity of Masseter Muscle During Wakefulness.

Background: Awake bruxism involves masticatory muscle activity during wakefulness, potentially leading to clinical concerns. Accurate electromyography (EMG) assessment is challenging with brief durations.

Objective: To establish a reliable, short-term measure for nonfunctional masseter muscle activity during wakefulness.

3D-printed devices for multiplexed semi-quantitative competitive lateral flow immunoassays.

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are widely used for the simple and rapid detection of various targets at the point of need. However, LFIAs enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes and the possibility for naked-eye semi-quantitative analysis are facing various challenges, including the requirement of large sample volumes, low efficiency, and accuracy. This is particularly the case for the competitive immunoassay format targeting the detection of low molecular weight compounds, such as, for example, drugs.

Global distribution and sustainable management of Asian corn borer (ACB), (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): recent advancement and future prospects.

The Asian corn borer (ACB), (Guenée, 1854), is a serious pest of several crops, particularly a destructive pest of maize and other cereals throughout most of Asia, including China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Cambodia. It has long been known as a pest in South-east Asia and has invaded other parts of Asia, Solomon Islands, parts of Africa and certain regions of Australia and Russia. Consequently, worldwide efforts have been increased to ensure new control strategies for management.

Investigation of malaria vectors Anopheles in non-endemic areas of Thailand: in proximity to workplaces housing foreign migrant workers.

Background: Foreign migrant workers from malaria-endemic regions play a critical factor in the transmission of malaria to non-endemic areas, mainly due to their mobility while seeking employment opportunities. This risk is particularly heightened in areas where malaria vectors are present.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the malaria vectors in two sub-districts in Khon Kaen Province, known for their factory areas and the significant presence of Myanmar migrant worker communities.

Excess deaths from all-causes mortality in children following the discontinuation of the COVID-19 policy in Thailand.

Background: The emerging COVID-19 pandemic impacted excess mortality in adults. However, limited information is available about the number of children who died during and after the discontinuation of COVID-19 policies in Thailand. This study aimed to assess the excess mortality in Thai children during and after the discontinuation of COVID-19 policies in Thailand.

Future directions of spiritual care where spiritual care providers do not exist: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Spiritual care is a fundamental aspect of palliative care, addressing the emotional, existential, and spiritual needs of patients facing life-threatening illnesses. However, in Thailand, the integration of spiritual care into the healthcare system remains underdeveloped due to the absence of professional spiritual care providers. This study aims to explore potential models and future directions for spiritual care within the palliative care context, focusing on how such care can be provided in the absence of professional spiritual care providers.

Assessing the efficacy and safety profiles of 0.025% tretinoin in treating axillary hyperpigmentation with acanthosis nigricans: a randomized double-blinded study.

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a dermatological condition, marked by hyperpigmentation and skin thickening, frequently affecting body folds like the axillae. Treatment options for axillary hyperpigmentation remain underexplored. This study evaluated the efficacy of 0.

A comparison of health-related quality of life between continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis in children with stage 5 chronic kidney disease in Thailand: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is one of the main goals in managing stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, limited evidence compares HRQoL between continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) in children. This open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare HRQoL in pediatric patients with stage 5 CKD receiving CAPD vs.

Effective removal of As from aqueous medium using date palm fiber biochar/chitosan/glutamine nanocomposite: kinetic and thermodynamic studies.

In the current work, three adsorbent materials were developed: biochar derived from date palm fiber (C), date palm fiber biochar/chitosan nanoparticles (CCS), and biochar/chitosan nanoparticle composite supplemented with glutamine (CCSG). These compounds were used as solid adsorbents to remove As from polluted water. Several characterization approaches were used to investigate all the synthesized solid adsorbents, including thermogravimetric analysis, N adsorption/desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), attenuated total reflectance with Fourier transform infrared, and zeta potential.

Angulation of the dural venous sinuses in the posterior cranial fossa: an anatomical study and its implications for venous circulation.

The purpose of the current study was to determine the angulation of the dural venous sinuses in soft tissue, to evaluate differences between types of tissue, and to discuss the potential influence of these angulations on intracranial venous hemodynamics and related pathologies. Angulations formed in different segments of the transverse, sigmoid, and superior sagittal sinuses were measured in 13 adult human cadaveric heads (26 sides). After the soft tissues were removed, measurements were also taken from the underlying bone.

Three-dimensional Analysis of the Distribution of Smooth and Skeletal Muscle Tissue Around the Female Urethra.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The urethra is surrounded by layers of smooth muscle, including inner longitudinal and outer circler muscles, as well as the skeletal muscle of the external urethral sphincter. However, the extent of these muscles and their relationship with the levator ani (LA) remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the composition of muscle layers around the female urethra and their three-dimensional arrangements.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological intervention protocol for prevention of postoperative delirium in the surgical intensive care unit.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common adverse event in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a multicomponent non-pharmacological intervention protocol to reduce the incidence of POD in elderly patients admitted to the surgical ICU (SICU). This before-and-after cohort study included 300 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to the SICU within 7 days postoperatively with an anticipated SICU stay > 24 h.

Characterization of gut microbiota on gender and age groups bias in Thai patients with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication and interaction problems. The prevalence of ASD is increasing globally, with a higher ratio of males to females. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in individuals with ASD, and gut microbiota has been implicated in the disorder's development.

Discovery of novel serum peptide biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma recurrence through MALDI-TOF MS and LC-MS/MS peptidome analysis.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer originating from bile duct epithelial cells, with a high rate of recurrence following surgical resection. Recurrence is categorized as early linked to aggressive tumor biology than late recurrence. This study aimed to identify novel peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs) and potential biomarker panels in the serum of CCA patients with early and late recurrence using mass spectrometry.