The Emerging Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles in Inflammatory Airway Diseases.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced and released by all cells and are present in all body fluids. They exist in a variety of sizes, however, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), the EV subset with a size range from 30 to 150 nm, are of current interest. By transporting a complex cargo that includes genetic material, proteins, lipids, and signaling molecules, sEVs can alter the state of recipient cells.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors of anxiety among pregnant women in Wuhan during the outbreak of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Prenatal anxiety has been a significant public health issue globally, leading to adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. The study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and anxiety level of pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Wuhan and investigate the influencing factors for prenatal anxiety in this specific context.

Methods: Pregnant subjects' KAP towards COVID-19 and their sociodemographics and pregnancy information were collected using questionnaires.

Identification of copy number variants by NGS-based NIPT at low sequencing depth.

Objective: To explore the clinical utility of detecting chromosome copy number variants (CNVs) in the fetus by noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using the low-pass whole-genome sequencing.

Methods: Eight hundred and seventy-three singleton pregnancies with chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) available between January 2017 to December 2019 and stored enough plasma sample for NIPT testing were included in this study. The CMA results show that forty-eight pregnancies with CNVs and eight hundred and twenty-five pregnancies are normal.

Emerging challenges in the evaluation of fever in cancer patients at risk of febrile neutropenia in the era of COVID-19: a MASCC position paper.

Patients with cancer are at higher risk of more severe COVID-19 infection and have more associated complications. The position paper describes the management of cancer patients, especially those receiving anticancer treatment, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dyspnea is a common emergency presentation in patients with cancer with a wide range of differential diagnoses, including pulmonary embolism, pleural disease, lymphangitis, and infection, of which SARS-CoV-2 is now a pathogen to be considered.

A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women's knowledge of chromosomal aneuploidy and microdeletion and microduplication syndromes.

Objective: The purpose of this survey is to evaluate the knowledge of Chinese pregnant women about fetal chromosomal aneuploidy and microdeletion and microduplication syndromes, and Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

Study Design: Written questionnaires were distributed to pregnant women who visited the fetal medicine clinic of the third affiliated hospital of Guangzhou medical university. A total of 330 questionnaires were given.

Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS) Did Occur in Poland during Months with Low COVID-19 Prevalence, Preliminary Results of a Nationwide Register.

Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS) is a new entity in children, likely associated with previous coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection. Most of the reports about PIMS come from countries particularly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim was to investigate the nature of inflammatory syndromes in Poland (country with low COVID-19 prevalence) and to perceive the emergence of PIMS in our country.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A rare aetiology for fetal pleural effusion.

Objective: We present fetal pleural effusions associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).

Case Report: We report a case of fetal pleural effusion in late pregnancy. Due to developing rapidly over short period of time, the baby was delivered by caesarean section at 34 weeks gestation.

Characteristics of Geographic atrophy in an elderly UK population-The Bridlington Eye Assessment Project (BEAP): a cross-sectional study (2002-2006).

Background/objectives: Geographic atrophy (GA) is a common cause of visual loss. The UK population prevalence is unknown. We studied GA prevalence, characteristics, and associations in an elderly UK population.

Novel and recurrent variants identified in fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities by trios-medical exome sequencing.

Background: Fetal central nervous system abnormalities often associated with infant death or severe disability. The etiology in fetuses with CNS abnormalities who have normal karyotypes and copy number variants (CNVs) remains unclear, which increases the difficulty in following management and the assessment of prognosis.

Method: 11 unrelated fetuses with CNS abnormalities and their parents were enrolled.

Efficacy and safety of continuous antiviral therapy from preconception to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus.

Few studies were conducted to assess safety and efficacy of continuous antiviral therapy administrated from preconception. In the present study, 136 eligible women with chronic HBV infection were recruited, and assigned to active chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (Group A, B or C) or chronic HBV carrier (Group D). Antiviral therapy was administrated in preconception (Group A), in early (Group B) or late pregnancy (Group C and Group D).

Clinical application of medical exome sequencing for prenatal diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical application of medical exome sequencing (MES) for prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases related to fetal structural anomalies detected by prenatal ultrasound examination.

Study Design: A total of 105 fetuses with structural anomalies were negative results in both Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Then trio-based MES was further used for identifying the potential monogenic diseases in these fetuses.

L1CAM mutations in three fetuses diagnosed by medical exome sequencing.

Objective: The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) gene, encodes the L1 cell adhesion molecule, is involved in the central nervous system development. Its mutations result in L1 syndrome which is associated with brain malformation and nervous developmental delay.

Case Report: We presented three fetuses with hydrocephalus and agenesis of the corpus callosum detected by ultrasound, followed by medical exome sequencing (MES) test with L1CAM mutations: two known missense mutation c.

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis for Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on the direct haplotype phasing.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the validity of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) based on direct haplotype phasing without the proband or other family members and its feasibility for clinical application in the case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods: Thirteen singleton-pregnancy families affected by DMD were recruited. The pathogenic variants in the pregnant females have been identified by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

Validation of fetal DNA fraction estimation and its application in noninvasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy detection in multiple pregnancies.

Objective: To analyze the fetal fraction, fetal sex, and chromosomal aneuploidy in multiple pregnancies using noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

Method: A total of 362 pregnant women including 203 singleton pregnancies, 69 twins, and 90 higher-order multiple pregnancies were recruited. Fetal fractions estimated by size ratio-based and Y chromosome-based approaches in singleton pregnancies with male fetus were used as source data to establish the model.

Arthroscopic Hip Joint Assessment can Impact the Indications for PAO Surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical, radiographic and intraoperative disease characteristics of patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia in which periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) was contraindicated due to advanced intraarticular findings at the time of disease staging hip arthroscopy (HA).

Methods: A prospective cohort was used to identify all patients who were scheduled for a PAO and concomitant hip arthroscopy for the treatment of symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. From a total of 286 patients (286 hips), 11 patients (11 hips) were identified in whom the PAO was contraindicated due to the intraarticular findings of a disease-staging hip arthroscopy.

Haplotype-Based noninvasive prenatal diagnosis for duchenne muscular dystrophy: A pilot study in South China.

Objective: To explore the accuracy and feasibility of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) based on the haplotype approach.

Methods: We recruited singleton pregnancies at-risk of DMD at 12-25 weeks of gestation from 17 families who all had a proband child affected by DMD. We have identified the pathogenic mutations in probands and their mothers by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

Partnerships for interdisciplinary collaborative global well-being.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The multifaceted intertwined nature of optimal health, mental health, and well-being requires operational, sustainable interdisciplinary partnerships in order to improve personal and global well-being and happiness. The initial step must be the assessment of the nature and magnitude of local problems in the global context.

Repair Augmentation of Unstable, Complete Vertical Meniscal Tears With Bone Marrow Venting Procedure: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness and safety of meniscal repair in 2 groups of patients: meniscal repair with biological augmentation using a bone marrow venting procedure (BMVP) of the intercondylar notch versus meniscal repair only.

Methods: This single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study included 40 patients (21 menisci in control, 23 in BMVP group) with complete vertical meniscus tears. Patients underwent all-inside and outside-in meniscal repair and a concomitant BMVP of the intercondylar notch or meniscal repair alone during an index arthroscopy.

Prevalence of optic disc haemorrhages in an elderly UK Caucasian population and possible association with reticular pseudodrusen-the Bridlington Eye Assessment Project (BEAP): a cross-sectional study (2002-2006).

Aims: To determine disc haemorrhage (DH) prevalence in an elderly UK population-the Bridlington Eye Assessment Project (BEAP).

Methods: Thirty-degree fundus photographs (3549 participants ≥65 years) were graded for DH/macula changes. Glaucoma evaluation included Goldmann tonometry, 26-point suprathreshold visual-fields and mydriatic slit-lamp assessment for glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Prevalence of peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes (PPCNV) in an elderly UK population-the Bridlington eye assessment project (BEAP): a cross-sectional study (2002-2006).

Purpose: There is paucity of data on the epidemiology of peripapillary choroidal neovascularisartion (PPCNV). Our aim was to determine prevalence of PPCNV in the elderly UK population of Bridlington residents aged ≥65 years.

Methods: Eyes with PPCNV in the Bridlington eye assessment project (BEAP) database of 3475 participants were analysed.

Foxc2 and BMP2 Induce Osteogenic/Odontogenic Differentiation and Mineralization of Human Stem Cells from Apical Papilla.

As a transcription factor regulated by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), Forkhead c2 (Foxc2) plays a pivot role in osteogenesis/odontogenesis. However, the role of Foxc2 and BMP2 in regulating osteo-/odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) is still uncertain. In this research, overexpression of Foxc2 gene significantly improved the proliferation of SCAP four days and eight days after transfection, but overexpression of both Foxc2 and BMP2 genes significantly inhibited the proliferation of SCAP eight days after transfection.

Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines for General Population and Groups at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency in Poland-Recommendations of the Polish Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Expert Panel With Participation of National Specialist Consultants and Representatives of Scientific Societies-2018 Update.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is an important public health problem worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency confers a significant risk for both skeletal and non-skeletal disorders and a number of lifelong negative health outcomes. The objectives of this evidence-based guidelines document are to provide health care professionals in Poland, an updated recommendation for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency.

[Imaging analysis of jaw defects reparation with antigen-extracted porcine cancellous bone].

At present, most of the bone xenograft for clinical application comes from bovine. In recent years, many studies have been done on the clinical application of porcine xenograft bone. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of canine mandibular defects reparation with antigen-extracted porcine cancellous bone by imaging examination.

Prevalence of reticular pseudodrusen in an elderly UK Caucasian population-The Bridlington Eye Assessment Project (BEAP): a cross-sectional study (2002-2006).

Aims: To determine prevalence, associations, and risk factors for reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) in a UK population.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of Bridlington residents aged ≥65 years. Masked grading of colour fundus photographs from 3549 participants.