Daily activities change is linked to acute angle closure occurrence in COVID-19 co-infected patients.

Objectives: To analyze the influence of daily activity-related factors associated with COVID-19 infection on the occurrence of acute angle closure (AAC).

Methods: A multicenter hospital-based study was conducted at 23 ophthalmic centers in 17 provincial-level regions across China to recruit patients with confirmed AAC during the post-lockdown time of COVID-19 (P-TOC) from Dec 7, 2022, to Jan 17, 2023, and three lockdown time of COVID-19 (TOC) periods, which included the TOC-2022 (Sep 7, 2022 - Dec 6, 2022), TOC-2021(Sep 7, 2021 - Jan 6, 2022) and TOC-2020 (Sep 7, 2020 - Jan 6, 2021). Patient information, including demographic, a questionnaire on daily activity changes during the AAC period, COVID-19 history, and eye examination results, was collected.

An exploratory case study of food sharing practices in Caribbean countries through a transition lens using intergenerational dyad interviews.

Background: Caribbean populations face complex health issues related to diet and food security as they undergo a rapid nutrition transition, resulting in some of the world's highest number of premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Despite policy efforts to promote local and regional food consumption, reliance on food imports remains high with many Caribbean countries importing more than 80% of their food from larger economies. Previous regional research revealed the importance of food sharing practices in the Caribbean, with implications for the consumption of local foods, food security, and community resilience against climate change.

3-Dimensional morphological characterization of neuroretinal microglia in Alzheimer's disease via machine learning.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that affects 47.5 million people worldwide. AD is characterised by the formation of plaques containing extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyper-phosphorylated tau proteins (pTau).

A population genomics approach to unlock the genetic potential of lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), an underutilized tropical forage crop.

Background: Lablab is one of the conventionally grown multi-purpose crops that originated in Africa. It is an annual or short-lived perennial forage legume which has versatile uses (as a vegetable and dry seeds, as food or feed, or as green manure) but is yet to receive adequate research attention and hence remains underexploited. To develop new and highly productive lablab varieties, using genomics-assisted selection, the present study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci associated with agronomically important traits in lablab and to assess the stability of these traits across two different agro-ecologies in Ethiopia.

Bronchoscopic biopsies - a novel source for primary airway epithelial cells in respiratory research.

Background: Using primary airway epithelial cells (AEC) is essential to mimic more closely different types and stages of lung disease in humans while reducing or even replacing animal experiments. Access to lung tissue remains limited because these samples are generally obtained from patients who undergo lung transplantation for end-stage lung disease or thoracic surgery for (mostly) lung cancer. We investigated whether forceps or cryo biopsies are a viable alternative source of AEC compared to the conventional technique.

Determinants of gender-equitable attitudes among adult men in a health education program: a cross-sectional study in Southern Malawi.

Background: Malawi ranks 142 out of 170 countries on the UN's Gender Inequality Index (GII). Women and men in Malawi have unequal access to and control over resources. Previous research has primarily examined gender roles and norms from a women's perspective, but few studies have investigated men's attitudes and behaviors regarding gender equality.

In vivo hyperphosphorylation of tau is associated with synaptic loss and behavioral abnormalities in the absence of tau seeds.

Tau pathology is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the sequence of events and the form of tau that confers toxicity are still unclear, due in large part to the lack of physiological models of tauopathy initiation and progression in which to test hypotheses. We have developed a series of targeted mice expressing frontotemporal-dementia-causing mutations in the humanized MAPT gene to investigate the earliest stages of tauopathy.

Associations between shorter leucocyte telomere length and increased risk of age-related macular degeneration in women: insights from the United Kingdom Biobank study.

Objectives: To determine the association between telomere length (TL) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and examine the potential variations with sex and ethnicity.

Methods: Population-based, cross-sectional study. A total of 52,083 participants from the UK Biobank were included.

2-year results from an observational study of proactive treatment regimens with intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg in patients with nAMD in clinical practice: XTEND study UK cohort.

Objectives: The 36-month XTEND (NCT03939767) multicentre, observational, prospective study examined the effectiveness of proactive treatment regimens of intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) 2 mg in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in routine clinical practice. The 12- and 24-month outcomes from the XTEND UK cohort are reported.

Methods: Patients aged ≥50 years with nAMD planned to receive IVT-AFL 2 mg were eligible.

Variation in the surgical management of complicated diverticulitis: a cross-sectional study of European surgeons.

Introduction: There are many options for the surgical management of complicated diverticulitis, and standards vary widely despite international practice recommendations. We conducted a survey to capture the variation in practice across Europe.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to fellow and surgeon members of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) via email using the Opinio survey platform.

Mass Balance Recovery, Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion of Elinzanetant in Healthy Human Volunteers and in vitro Biotransformation.

Background: Elinzanetant is a dual neurokinin-1,3 receptor antagonist in development for the treatment of menopausal vasomotor symptoms. The objectives of these studies were to characterize the mass balance and biotransformation of elinzanetant.

Methods: In the clinical evaluation, whole blood, plasma, urine, and feces were collected from healthy fasted male volunteers (n = 6) following a single dose of 120 mg [C]-elinzanetant oral suspension for analysis of total radioactivity and metabolite profiling.

A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness and Safety of Combining Biostimulators with Botulinum Toxin, Dermal Fillers, and Energy-Based Devices.

Introduction: Aesthetic medicine has evolved towards minimally invasive procedures, with biostimulators like Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), and Polycaprolactone (PCL) gaining attention for their role in collagen induction, improving skin texture, elasticity, and volume. Combining these agents with other treatments-such as botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, and energy-based devices (e.g.

Preadmission systemic antibiotic treatment in necrotizing otitis externa (NOE).

Purpose: Necrotizing otitis externa (NOE) is a serious life-threatening infection, with Pseudomonas (PA) aeruginosa being the primary causative agent. Over the last two decades the use of systemic anti-PA antibiotics expanded substantially and are now prescribed regularly by physicians. Meanwhile, studies indicate shifting trends in the incidence of the offending pathogen in NOE.

Whole genome sequencing of three native chicken varieties (Common Deshi, Hilly and Naked Neck) of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi indigenous chicken varieties - Common Deshi, Hilly and Naked Neck are notable for their egg production, meat quality, extraordinary survivability and disease resistance. However, the potential to harness their unique genetic merits are being eroded by various factors, including crossbreeding. In-depth genomic studies have not been carried out on these breeds so far.

Mechanical Circulatory Support for Massive Pulmonary Embolism.

Up to 50% of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) experience hemodynamic instability and approximately 70% of patients who die of PE experience an accelerated cascade of symptoms within the first hours of onset of symptoms, thus necessitating rapid evaluation and intervention. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and other ventricular assist devices, depending on the hemodynamic derangements present, may be used to stabilize patients with massive PE refractory to initial therapies or with contraindications to other interventions. Given the abnormalities in both pulmonary circulation and gas exchange caused by massive PE, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be considered the preferred form of mechanical circulatory support for most patients.

Management of dyslipidaemia in patients with comorbidities - facing the challenge Value and limitations of lipid lowering drugs in liver disease Effects/Interactions of lipid-lowering agents on/with the liver.

Objectives: This review aims to examine the evidence on the benefits and risks of lipid lowering drugs in patients with liver disease. Elevated liver enzyme levels often lead to cautious discontinuation of these drugs, potentially withholding from patients their benefit in reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

Methods And Results: Using a literature search of PubMed, we examine the efficacy and safety profiles of various lipid lowering agents, including statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates, and icosapent ethyl, focusing particularly on their potential side effects related to liver health.

Give us a hand, mate! A holistic review of research on human-machine teaming.

Defence has a significant interest in the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies to address some of the challenges it faces. At the core of future military advantage will be the effective integration of humans and AI into human-machine teams (HMT) that leverages the capabilities of people and technologies to outperform adversaries. Realising the full potential of these technologies will depend on understanding the relative strengths of humans and machines, and how we design effective integration to optimise performance and resilience across all use cases and environments.

Global prevalence, resistance rates, and underlying resistance mechanisms of clinical Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species.

Mycoplasmas are significant pathogens in human health, implicated in a range of clinical conditions from respiratory infections to urogenital disorders. Their resistance to commonly used antibiotics poses a substantial challenge to treatment and control. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the global distribution of clinical mycoplasmas, elucidate their resistance to various antibiotics, and identify the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying their resistance.

Novel electroretinography devices to detect hydroxychloroquine retinopathy: study protocol for a diagnostic accuracy and feasibility study.

Introduction: Annual screening for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy is recommended, and electroretinography (ERG) is considered a gold-standard test, but there are screening shortfalls and standard ERG is burdensome and has limited availability. Newer, portable ERG devices using skin-based electrodes may increase screening capacity but need validation. This study aims to determine initial device accuracies and feasibility of further research.

Professional obligations and the demandingness of acting against one's conscience.

Conscience is typically invoked in healthcare to defend a right to conscientious objection, that is, the refusal by healthcare professionals to perform certain activities in the name of personal moral or religious views. On this approach, freedom of conscience should be respected when the individual is operating in a professional capacity. Others would argue, however, that a conscientious professional is one who can set aside one's own moral or religious views when they conflict with professional obligations.