Introduction of molecular point-of-care testing for SARS-CoV-2 in a triage unit of a large maternity hospital: An evaluation of staff experiences.

Context: Recent advances in the development of rapid SARS-CoV-2 point of care (POC) testing provided an opportunity to aid clinical decision making in front-line healthcare settings. Perspectives of POC COVID-19 screening of pregnant women are under-researched.

Objective: To assess the impact of a SARS-CoV-2 POC testing platform implemented in a busy maternity hospital, with limited isolation capacity, during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Integrating the updated HONO formation mechanism to better understand urban O formation chemistry.

As a vital precursor of hydroxyl radicals (OH), atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) plays a significant role in tropospheric chemistry and the production of secondary pollutants. However, knowledge of its sources remains insufficient. To comprehensively investigate the HONO chemistry in polluted cities and alleviate the O pollution, based on a comprehensive HONO-related field campaign in Zibo City, on the North China Plain, the parameterized formulas of additional HONO sources were validated in a box model (based on the default MCMv3.

Reichert's membrane - a continuing enigma for developmental biologists.

Reichert's membrane (RM) is a basement membrane of gigantic proportions that surrounds the mammalian embryo following implantation. It is part of the parietal yolk sac, which originates from the wall of the preimplantation blastocyst. RM persists from implantation to birth in rodents and analogous structures occur in other mammals, including primates.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia in a Stable Chronic Intestinal Failure Cohort: Prevalence, Associations and Outcomes.

Background & Aims: Current estimates of the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF) exceed those seen in general population, however, the studies to-date are limited with relatively small numbers of patients. The aim of the study was to determine the point prevalence of IDA in a large cohort of stable HPN-dependent adults managed by a specialist Intestinal Failure Unit.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of HPN-dependent adults managed by a national UK IF Reference Centre between 01/01/2019 and 31/12/2019.

Interaction between genetic risk score and dietary carbohydrate intake on high- density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: Findings from the Study of Obesity, Nutrition, Genes and Social factors (SONGS).

Background & Aims: Cardiometabolic traits are complex interrelated traits that result from a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. This study aimed to assess the interaction between genetic variants and dietary macronutrient intake on cardiometabolic traits [body mass index, waist circumference, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, fasting serum insulin, and glycated haemoglobin].

Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 468 urban young adults aged 20 ± 1 years, and it was conducted as part of the Study of Obesity, Nutrition, Genes and Social factors (SONGS) project, a sub-study of the Young Lives study.

A thorny tale: The origin and diversification of Cirsium (Compositae).

Widely distributed plant genera offer insights into biogeographic processes and biodiversity. The Carduus-Cirsium group, with over 600 species in eight genera, is diverse across the Holarctic regions, especially in the Mediterranean Basin, Southwest Asia, Japan, and North America. Despite this diversity, evolutionary and biogeographic processes within the group, particularly for the genus Cirsium, remain underexplored.

Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi enhance plant immune responses against tomato leafminer.

Plants employ various defense mechanisms to protect themselves from invaders such as microorganisms and herbivores. By recognizing these threats, plants can trigger a cascade of responses throughout their tissues, effectively priming their defenses and enhancing their resistance to future attacks. In this study, we examined the indirect effects of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana strain GHA and Metarhizium anisopliae strain F01 on tomato growth, expression of selected plant genes, production of secondary metabolites, and preference and performance of the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta).

Improving pubertal health education for adolescent girls through a gamified learning approach.

Background: Adolescence is a crucial phase in a person's life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gamification in the education of teenage females on pubertal health.

Methods: This clinical trial, conducted on 90 adolescent girls in XXX, XXX, during the 2023-2024 year, used a multistage cluster sampling method to assign participants randomly to intervention and control groups.

Social vulnerability and child food insecurity in developed countries: A systematic review.

Food insecurity (FI) is a serious public health concern in economically developed countries, mainly due to unequal resource distribution. Identifying social vulnerability factors (i.e.

Symptom Evolution in Individuals with Ongoing Symptomatic COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Syndrome After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Versus Influenza Vaccination.

Background: COVID-19 symptoms may persist beyond acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, as ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 [OSC] (symptom duration 4-12 weeks) and post-COVID syndrome [PCS] (symptom duration ≥12 weeks). Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 decreases OSC/PCS in individuals subsequently infected with SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination. Whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, or any other vaccinations (such as against influenza) affects symptoms in individuals already experiencing OSC/PCS, more than natural symptom evolution, is unknown.

Relationships between Chronic Cough and Asthma Control and Quality-of-Life in Patients with Severe Asthma: A 6-Month Longitudinal Analysis.

Background: The prevalence and clinical implications of chronic cough (CC) in patients with severe asthma receiving asthma treatment remain relatively unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between CC and asthma control and quality-of-life (QoL) in patients with severe asthma through longitudinal analysis.

Methods: Baseline and 6-month follow-up data from the Korean Severe Asthma Registry were analyzed.

Social and economic patterning in UPF intake in toddlerhood and middle childhood: longitudinal data from the UK Gemini cohort.

Introduction: Children's consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) may contribute to inequalities in obesity and wider health. Socioeconomic patterning in younger UK children's UPF intake is unknown.

Objective: To investigate socioeconomic patterning of UK toddlers' (21-months) and children's (7-years) UPF intake across several household and neighbourhood indicators.

Histopathological marks of tongue in a mouse model for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy suggest biomechanical defects.

The tongue facilitates vital activities such as swallowing. Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are common in the elderly and in many adult-onset neuromuscular diseases. In oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), dysphagia is often the first symptom.

Assessing the scientific integrity of the collected work of one author or author-group.

Objective: No published methods for research integrity review include both statistical techniques applied to groups of randomised trials and individual assessment of papers. We propose a method based on practical experience of investigating data integrity across the collected papers of one author or author-group.

Study Design And Setting: We report our approach to investigating the collected papers of an author or author-group suspected of academic misconduct.

Tablet diversion strategy based on in-line NIR tablet press feed frame measurements.

The tablet diversion strategy, based on in-line near-infrared (NIR) tablet press feed frame measurements, can be a key component of both batch and continuous oral solid dose manufacturing processes. It enables real-time, high-frequency monitoring and control, enhancing process understanding and compliance compared to conventional interval-based sampling methods. Central to this strategy are NIR spectrometers, which serve as PAT systems for in-line blend uniformity monitoring in the feed of the tablet press.

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.

Incentives for smoking cessation.

Background: Financial incentives (money, vouchers, or self-deposits) can be used to positively reinforce smoking cessation. They may be used as one-off rewards, or in various schedules to reward steps towards sustained smoking abstinence (known as contingency management). They have been used in workplaces, clinics, hospitals, and community settings, and to target particular populations.

Menrath ulcers in cats: four cases (2014-2023).

Objectives: To report the clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes of four cats diagnosed with Menrath ulcers causing significant oral haemorrhage.

Materials And Methods: For all cats, data on signalment, history, physical examination, treatment and outcomes were collected by reviewing medical records. Information regarding outcomes was collected from communication logs between primary care veterinarians and owners, and the original case clinicians after discharge of the patient from the hospital.

Visual feature processing in a large stroke cohort: evidence against modular organization.

Mid-level visual processing represents a crucial stage between basic sensory input and higher-level object recognition. The conventional model posits that fundamental visual qualities like color and motion are processed in specialized, retinotopic brain regions (e.g.

Effect of mass drug administration on malaria incidence in southeast Senegal during 2020-22: a two-arm, open-label, cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: In Africa, the scale-up of malaria-control interventions has reduced malaria burden, but progress towards elimination has stalled. Mass drug administration (MDA) is promising as a transmission-reducing strategy, but evidence from low-to-moderate transmission settings is needed. We aimed to assess the safety, coverage, and effect of three cycles of MDA with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus single, low-dose primaquine on Plasmodium falciparum incidence and prevalence in southeast Senegal.

Traumatic injury mortality in the Gaza Strip from Oct 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024: a capture-recapture analysis.

Background: Accurate mortality estimates help quantify and memorialise the impact of war. We used multiple data sources to estimate deaths due to traumatic injury in the Gaza Strip between Oct 7, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Methods: We used a three-list capture-recapture analysis using data from Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) hospital lists, an MoH online survey, and social media obituaries.

Burden of RSV infections among young children in primary care: a prospective cohort study in five European countries (2021-23).

Background: The majority of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children are managed in primary care, however, the disease burden in this setting remains poorly defined.

Methods: We did a prospective cohort study in primary care settings in Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK during the RSV seasons of 2020-21 (UK only; from Jan 1, 2021), 2021-22, and 2022-23. Children aged younger than 5 years presenting to their general practitioner or primary care paediatrician with symptoms of an acute respiratory tract infection were eligible for RSV testing.