Harnessing cell aggregates for enhanced adeno-associated virus manufacturing: Cultivation strategies and scale-up considerations.

The possibility to produce recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) by adherent HEK293T cells was studied in a stirred tank bioreactor (STR) culture of cell aggregates. A proof-of-concept of rAAV production was successfully demonstrated in a process where single cells were first expanded, then cell aggregates were formed by dilution into a different medium 1 day before triple plasmid transfection was conducted. An alternative approach for the STR inoculation using a seed taken from a high cell density perfusion (HCDP) culture was also investigated.

A cross-sectional survey of psychiatrists' experiences of using telepsychiatry during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship with burnout in selected high, middle, and low-income countries.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated substantial modifications in the delivery of patient care on a global scale. Telemedicine-based care services were implemented worldwide to maximize access to healthcare systems.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the use of and satisfaction with telepsychiatry services implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic by psychiatrists across low, middle, and high income countries, and to assess levels of burnout among psychiatrists providing telepsychiatry services in different settings and countries.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Decarbonization Potential of Global Fired Clay Brick Production.

Fired clay bricks (FCBs) are a dominant building material globally due to their low cost and simplicity of production, especially in low- and middle-income countries. With a projected rising housing demand, commensurate growth in brick demand is anticipated, the production of which could result in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Robust models are needed to estimate brick demand and emissions to systematically address decarbonization pathways.

Long-term impact of exposure to Royal Guard, a pyriproxyfen-based bed net, on pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors from Cameroon using DNA-based metabolic resistance markers.

Background: Escalating pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors highlights the urgency of implementing new control tools incorporating non-pyrethroid molecules. Here, using DNA-based metabolic resistance markers, we assessed the efficacy of the dual active ingredients net Royal Guard against pyrethroids-resistant malaria vectors in Cameroon, establishing its long-term impact on mosquitoes' life traits after exposure.

Results: Cone assays revealed low efficacy of Royal Guard against field Anopheles populations.

Effect of Physical Exercise on Telomere Length: Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Telomere length (TL) is a marker of cellular health and aging. Physical exercise has been associated with longer telomeres and, therefore, healthier aging. However, results supporting such effects vary across studies.

Impact of Scleroderma-Associated Autoantibodies on Clinical Outcome Assessments: Post Hoc Analysis From a Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Trial of Tocilizumab in Scleroderma.

Objective: Scleroderma-associated autoantibodies (SSc-Abs) are specific in participants (pts) with systemic sclerosis and are associated with organ involvement. Our objective was to assess the influence of baseline SSc-Abs on the trajectories of the clinical outcome assessments (COAs) in a phase III randomized controlled trial.

Methods: We used data on both the groups who received placebo (Pbo) and tocilizumab from the focuSSced trial.

Lateral Atrial Expression Patterns Provide Insights into Local Transcription Disequilibrium Contributing to Disease Susceptibility.

Background: Transcriptional dysregulation, possibly affected by genetic variation, contributes to disease development. Due to dissimilarities in development, function, and remodeling during disease progression, transcriptional differences between the left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) may provide insight into diseases such as atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Lateral differences in atrial transcription were evaluated in CATCH ME (Characterizing Atrial fibrillation by Translating its Causes into Health Modifiers in the Elderly) using a 2-stage discovery and replication design.

Structural and Functional Characterization of the Aorta in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Changes in the phenotype and genotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are thought to involve the myocardium as well as extracardiac tissues. Here, we describe the structural and functional changes in the ascending aorta of obstructive patients with HCM.

Methods: Changes in the aortic wall were studied in a cohort of 101 consecutive patients with HCM undergoing myectomy and 9 normal controls.

Trends and Themes in the Study of Value in Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: The study of value in orthopedic surgery aims to maximize health outcomes gained per unit cost through various health economic tools but is fragmented across various subspecialties and geographies. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain whether this research methodology is being used to its full potential across all orthopedic subspecialties and geographies.

Purpose: We sought to assess the distribution of prior health economics literature in orthopedic surgery across subspecialties and geographies.

Long-term ultrasonographic changes of the canine prostate gland after castration.

Introduction: Ultrasound imaging (US) is the method of choice to assess the canine prostate gland. Whilst recent studies have documented the role of castration in the development of prostatic neoplasia, little is known about parenchymal and perfusion features of the normal and abnormal prostate in neutered dogs. No data are available concerning prostatic changes after the first 90 days following castration.

Effect of blindfolding the lead resuscitator on frequency of closed-loop communication during veterinary cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training: a randomized, controlled pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of blindfolding the lead resuscitator during veterinary cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) simulation training sessions on frequency of completed closed-loop communication statements (CLC).

Design: Ten groups of staff volunteers were recruited for a prospective, randomized, blinded, observational pilot study over a 6-month period. Additionally, two associated online questionnaires were completed by participants.

Holocord syringomyelia in 18 dogs.

Holocord syringomyelia (HSM) is characterized by a continuous spinal cord cavitation along its entire length and is currently poorly documented in dogs. This retrospective multicentric case series investigates the clinical and MRI findings in 18 dogs with HSM. The median age at presentation was 82 months (range 9-108 months) and French Bulldogs were overrepresented (50%).

Remedial, institutional or radical? Explaining community responses to violence against women in an NGO programme to prevent violence in Mumbai, India.

Despite ambitions in development and global health policy to transform communities into supportive environments for women facing risks of violence, our understanding of how to best engage communities remains incomplete. In particular, there is little evidence on the types of strategies that communities employ to address violence against women (VAW). We aimed to describe and analyse the processes involved in community responses to incidents of VAW in a non-governmental organisation (NGO) violence prevention programme in Mumbai, India.

Spirometric pattern and cardiovascular risk: a prospective study of 0.3 million Chinese never-smokers.

Background: Existing studies have not provided robust evidence about the CVD risk of non-smoking patients with restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP) or airflow obstruction (AFO), and how the risk is modified by body shape. We aimed to bridge the gap.

Methods: We used never-smokers' data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) and performed Cox models by sex (278,953 females and 50,845 males).

Bone imaging modality precision and agreement between DXA, pQCT, and HR-pQCT.

Quantifying precision error for DXA, peripheral QCT (pQCT), and HR-pQCT is crucial for monitoring longitudinal changes in body composition and musculoskeletal outcomes. Agreement and associations between bone variables assessed using pQCT and second-generation HR-pQCT are unclear. This study aimed to determine the precision of, and agreement and associations between, bone variables assessed via DXA, pQCT, and second-generation HR-pQCT.

Impact of mask wearing time on fluid consumption and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To examine the associations between mask-wearing on fluid consumption and physical activity behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: 137 college students (female, 72.5%; age, 26 ± 9 y) completed a survey detailing their fluid intake, physical activity behaviors, and time spent wearing a mask throughout the day during the previous month in the Fall 2020 academic semester.

The burden of hepatitis E virus infection among Ghanaian pregnant women.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant burden on pregnant women, with associated negative outcomes. Although well-described in many developed countries, the epidemiology of the disease and its impact on maternal and fetal health in Ghana is not fully understood.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of 10 district hospitals in five regions of Ghana.

Exploring segmented assimilation theory in health education utilization and its influencing factors among internal migrants in China: insights from the 2017 China migrants dynamic survey.

Introduction: This study investigated segmented assimilation patterns and factors influencing health education utilization (HEU) among internal migrant populations in China, driven by concerns over their declining health owing to urbanization-related changes.

Methods: Data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey were analyzed, focusing on 13,998 rural migrants. Negative binomial regression was used to explore assimilation patterns and determine the factors affecting HEU among internal migrants in China.

"A torch, a rope, a belly laugh": engaging with the multiple voices of support groups for people living with rare dementia.

Purpose: Rare forms of dementia bring unique difficulties related to age of onset, impact on family commitments, employment and finances, and also bring distinctive needs for support and care. The aim of the present study was to explore and better understand what the concept of support means for people living with different rare dementia (PLwRD) and their care-partners who attend ongoing support groups.

Methods: Representing seven types of rare dementia, source material was collected from 177 PLwRD and care-partners attending in-person support groups, with the goal of developing research-informed group poems, co-constructed by a facilitating poet.

Young people's experiences of informal kinship care in Luwero, Uganda.

There is strong evidence that outside parental care, informal kinship care is the most practiced, sustainable and affordable form of childcare in SSA (sub-Saharan Africa). As a longstanding cultural tradition, informal kinship care embraces childcare as the responsibility of all extended family members, and often the wider community. However, over the past decades, informal kinship care has become gradually strained by political, economic and social conditions, such as: legacies of colonialism, increasing levels of poverty and inequality, instability, or infectious diseases.

The impact of advertising on women's self-perception: a systematic review.

This systematic review explores the multifaceted psychological impact of advertising on women's self-perception, examining traditional advertising, femvertising, and the emerging effects of digital transformation. By synthesizing evidence from 95 peer-reviewed studies, this review examines the relationship between media portrayals of women and key psychological outcomes, including body image, self-esteem, self-objectification, and gender role attitudes. Our analysis reveals that traditional advertising, which often features idealized and stereotypical portrayals of femininity, continues to be associated with negative psychological outcomes such as increased body dissatisfaction and self-objectification.

Comparison of health technology assessments for digital therapeutics in Germany, the United Kingdom and France.

Objective: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are promising technologies. However, current assessment and access frameworks, when they exist, are heterogeneous and fragmented. We analysed and compared health technology assessment (HTA) criteria for DTx across European countries that had assessed the same DTx products.

Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy and De-escalation of Surgery in Locally Advanced Breast Implant-associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma diagnosed in patients with a history of breast implants. Most patients develop a periprosthetic effusion at early stages of disease while less common presentations include a palpable mass, severe capsular contracture, lymphadenopathy, or cutaneous erythema. Due to the complex nature of this disease, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for optimal management, particularly in locally advanced disease or inoperable patients.

Impact of disease cyclicity on quality-of-life impairment-A mixed method explanatory study.

Background: Disease cyclicity, a composite measure of unpredictable and daily fluctuations of symptoms, strongly predicts quality-of-life (QoL) impairment.

Objective: To explore the mechanisms by which cyclicity impacts QoL.

Methods: 1:1 semi-structured interviews were conducted and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory.