Association between the ratio of serum uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and liver fat content: evidence from a Chinese health examination dataset.

Despite numerous studies investigating the correlation between the serum uric acid and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) and fatty liver disease, the evidence for the dose-response relationship between UHR and liver fat content (LFC) remains uncertain. This study employs quantitative computed tomography (CT) to quantify LFC and aims to investigate the correlation and dose-response relationship between UHR levels and LFC in Chinese adults. Based on the health check-up data from 2021 at Henan Provincial People's Hospital, China, the objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between UHR levels and LFC among individuals of different genders.

Dual-fluorescent starch biopolymer films containing 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine powder as a functional nanofiller.

Physical and photophysical properties of starch-based biopolymer films containing 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (NTA) powder as a nanofiller were examined using atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), stationary UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as resonance light scattering (RLS) and time-resolved measurements, and where possible, analyzed with reference to pristine NTA solutions. AFM studies revealed that the addition of NTA into the starch biopolymer did not significantly affect surface roughness, with all examined films displaying similar Sq values ranging from 70.7 nm to 79.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing and galactomannan testing for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and galactomannan (GM) testing in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and to compare mNGS with other diagnostic approaches (serum/bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)-GM and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) including sputum smears and culture, BALF fungal culture, and bronchial brushing). In all, 237 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study, including 120 patients with IPA and 117 with non-IPA pulmonary infections treated at Henan Provincial People's Hospital between June 2021 and February 2024. The diagnostic performance of mNGS was compared to conventional diagnostic methods including serum GM, BALF-GM, sputum smear microscopy, sputum culture, bronchial brushings, and BALF culture.

Phytochemical composition and antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Carthamus tinctorius seed oil.

Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) is widely used in traditional Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabian, and Persian herbal medicine to treat metabolic diseases. This study aimed to characterize C.

Generation of highly stable electron beam via the control of hydrodynamic instability.

By employing the stabilizer in the supersonic gas nozzle to produce the plasma density profile with a sharp downramp, we have experimentally demonstrated highly stable electron beam acceleration based on the shock injection mechanism in laser wakefield acceleration with the use of a compact Ti:sapphire laser. A quasi-monoenergetic electron beam with a peak energy of 315 MeV ± 12.5 MeV per shot is generated.

Muscle synergy in several locomotor modes in chimpanzees and Japanese macaques, and its implications for the evolutionary origin of bipedalism through shared muscle synergies.

Recent evidence indicates that human ancestors utilized a combination of quadrupedal walking, climbing, and bipedal walking. Therefore, the origin of bipedalism may be linked to underlying mechanisms supporting diverse locomotor modes. This study aimed to elucidate foundations of varied locomotor modes from the perspective of motor control by identifying muscle synergies and demonstrating similarities in synergy compositions across different locomotor modes in chimpanzees and Japanese macaques.

Impact of antiphospholipid syndrome on placenta and uterine NK cell function: insights from a mouse model.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with recurrent pregnancy morbidity, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We performed multifaceted characterization of the biological and transcriptomic signatures of mouse placenta and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in APS. Histological analysis of APS placentas unveiled placental abnormalities, including disturbed angiogenesis, occasional necrotic areas, fibrin deposition, and nucleated red blood cell enrichment.

Microbial diversity of hot springs of the Kuril Islands.

The Kuril Islands are located in the Far-East of Russia and enriched with shallow and terrestrial hot springs. Prokaryotic diversity of Kuril geothermal environments has been studied fragmentarily and mainly by culture-dependent methods. We performed the first large-scale investigation of microbial communities, inhabited more than 30 terrestrial hot springs of Kunashir and Iturup Islands, analyzed by 16S rRNA gene fragment amplicon sequencing, together with chemical analysis of thermal waters and sediments.

Evaluating sex-specific responses to western diet across the lifespan: impact on cardiac function and transcriptomic signatures in C57BL/6J mice at 530 and 640/750 days of age.

Background: Long-term consumption of Western Diet (WD) is a well-established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, there is a paucity of studies on the long-term effects of WD on the pathophysiology of CVD and sex-specific responses.

Methods: Our study aimed to investigate the sex-specific pathophysiological changes in left ventricular (LV) function using transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO) and LV tissue transcriptomics in WD-fed C57BL/6 J mice for 125 days, starting at the age of 300 through 425 days.

Results: In female mice, consumption of the WD diet showed long-term effects on LV structure and possible development of HFpEF-like phenotype with compensatory cardiac structural changes later in life.

Prevalence of endometriosis in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for various gynecological indications: a Jordanian multi-center retrospective study.

Background: Endometriosis, a condition that significantly impacts the quality of life for affected women, manifests with a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. A previous single-center study suggested an elevated prevalence of endometriosis in Jordan, prompting the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving a sample of 866 women who underwent various laparoscopic procedures for different indications at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jordan University Hospital and Al-Karak Governmental Hospital, two tertiary referral hospitals in Jordan between January 2015 and March 2023.

Shear bond strength and ARI scores of metal brackets to glazed glass ceramics and zirconia: an in vitro study investigating surface treatment protocols.

Objective: To evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores of metal brackets to glazed lithium disilicate reinforced glass-ceramics and zirconia according to various surface treatment protocols.

Methods: A total of 240 lithium disilicate ceramic (LD) and 240 zirconia (Zr) blocks were randomly divided according to sandblasting, hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching, universal primer use, and the adhesive system applied. A maxillary canine metal bracket was bonded to each sample with resin cement (Transbond XT, TXT).

Minimizing patient burden in outcome monitoring: The case for abbreviated versions of PHQ-9, GAD-7 and WSAS.

Background: The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program uses the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) as part of their unique outcome monitoring system. To reduce patient burden, this study explored whether abbreviated versions of these questionnaires can be used to derive relevant outcome statistics with minimal loss of information.

Methods: Using two samples (training; n = 1530, validation; n = 766), we examined whether existing short-forms, PHQ-4 and GAD-R3, would provide enough information to calculate relevant outcomes with near perfect agreement with the outcomes based on the original scales.

Long-term follow-up study of Kudo Type-5 elbow prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: minimum 10-year clinical outcomes.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis often leads to debilitating damage in the elbow joint, which may require total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). The Kudo TEA is one of the unlinked type prostheses with reportedly favorable outcomes. However, there is limited information available regarding its long-term performance.

Antisense oligonucleotides-based approaches for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a hematological malignancy which affects the monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, is in rising incidence around the world, accounting for approximately 2 % of newly diagnosed cancer cases in the US, Australia, and Western Europe. Despite the progress made in the last few years in the available therapeutic options (e.g.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes targeting quality of life, psychological wellbeing, and functional capacity in pulmonary embolism survivors; a systematic review and best evidence synthesis.

Background: Half of people post pulmonary embolism (PE) experience ongoing symptoms such as dyspnoea, anxiety and depression, exercise limitation and fatigue. These symptoms can reduce their quality of life (QoL), psychological wellbeing, and functional capacity. The efficacy of rehabilitation interventions to prevent and manage these symptoms has not been established.

Epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis in children and genetic diversity of rotavirus strains in Kolkata, West Bengal after introduction of rotavirus vaccine.

Background: Despite global rotavirus vaccination efforts, rotavirus remains a leading cause of childhood deaths from acute gastroenteritis. Post-vaccination studies in India, particularly in eastern India, have been limited, despite high prevalence of rotavirus in this region prior to vaccine introduction. This study was conducted to assess the impact of rotavirus vaccine on the epidemiology of rotavirus and other enteric viruses, as well as the changes in the diversity of rotavirus strains among children (≤5 years) with acute gastroenteritis.

Potential role of electroencephalographic monitoring for diagnosis and treatment of local anesthetic systemic toxicity during general anesthesia: a case report.

Background: Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Under general anesthesia, neurological signs are often masked, delaying diagnosis and increasing the risk of sudden cardiovascular collapse. Therefore, early detection methods are critically needed.

[Modern aspects of chronic cerebral ischemia pathogenetic therapy].

Chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) is one of the most common forms of cerebrovascular disease, which affects a significant number of patients, often leading to disability, cognitive impairment and dementia. The analysis of modern data on the pathogenesis and risk factors for the development of CCI, as well as on the mechanisms of action of Mexidol on various links in the pathogenesis of CCI. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, on Russian and English-language sites with open access publications on the problem of CCI and on the drug Mexidol in the period from 2014 to 2024.

Definitions, epidemiology, and outcomes of persistent/chronic critical illness: a scoping review for translation to clinical practice.

Background: Medical advances in intensive care units (ICUs) have resulted in the emergence of a new patient population-those who survive the initial acute phase of critical illness, but require prolonged ICU stays and develop chronic critical symptoms. This condition, often termed Persistent Critical Illness (PerCI) or Chronic Critical Illness (CCI), remains poorly understood and inconsistently reported across studies, resulting in a lack of clinical practice use. This scoping review aims to systematically review and synthesize the existing literature on PerCI/CCI, with a focus on definitions, epidemiology, and outcomes for its translation to clinical practice.

Evolution of management strategies for unstable pelvic ring injuries over the past 40 years: a systematic review.

Background: Hemodynamically unstable pelvic ring fractures from high-energy trauma are critical injuries in trauma care, requiring urgent intervention and precise diagnostics. With ongoing advancements in trauma management, treatment strategies have evolved, with some techniques becoming obsolete as new ones emerge. This study aimed to evaluate changes and trends in treatment algorithms for these injuries over approximately 40 years.

Reusing routine electronic health record data for nationwide COVID-19 surveillance in nursing homes: barriers, facilitators, and lessons learned.

Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, little was known about the spread of COVID-19 in Dutch nursing homes while older people were particularly at risk of severe symptoms. Therefore, attempts were made to develop a nationwide COVID-19 repository based on routinely recorded data in the electronic health records (EHRs) of nursing home residents. This study aims to describe the facilitators and barriers encountered during the development of the repository and the lessons learned regarding the reuse of EHR data for surveillance and research purposes.

The effect of eye movement desensitization on neurocognitive functioning compared to retrieval-only in PTSD patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is robust evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with neurocognitive deficits, such as executive dysfunction or memory dysfunction. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, in which eye movements (EMs) are performed during traumatic memory retrieval. We examined whether Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) improves neurocognitive functioning in PTSD patients, in comparison with a retrieval-only control condition without EMs.

A case of uveoscleral mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with secondary angle-closure glaucoma.

Background/aim: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas occur in not only the ocular adnexa, but rarely in the sclera or uvea. Histopathological confirmation contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment. We report a case of uveoscleral MALT lymphoma with angle-closure glaucoma.

Neural processing of sad and happy autobiographical memories in women with depression and borderline personality disorder.

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are reported to have disrupted autobiographical memory (AM). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we investigated behavioral and neural processing of the recall of emotional (sad and happy) memories in 30 MDD, 18 BPD, and 34 healthy control (HC) unmedicated women. The behavioral results showed that the MDD group experienced more sadness than the HC after the sad recall, while BPD participants experienced less happiness than HC after the happy recall.