A health economic evaluation of the multinational, randomized controlled CONVINCE trial - cost-utility of high-dose online hemodiafiltration compared to high-flux hemodialysis.

High-flux hemodialysis (HD) and high-dose hemodiafiltration (HDF) are established treatments for patients with kidney failure. Since HDF has been associated with improved survival rates compared to HD, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of HDF compared to HD. Cost-utility analyses were performed from a societal perspective alongside the multinational randomized controlled CONVINCE trial.

Design of pH-responsive and amphiphilic pullulan-based biological macromolecule for gene delivery.

Nanomedicine, particularly gene delivery, holds immense potential and offers promising therapeutic options. Non-viral systems gained attention due to their binding capacity, stability and scalability. Among these, natural polysaccharides, such as pullulan, are advantageous in terms of sustainability, biocompatibility and potential degradability.

Global dissemination of Klebsiella pneumoniae in surface waters: Genomic insights into drug resistance, virulence, and clinical relevance.

The aquatic environment is a major pathway for the spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) among microorganisms. Among these, Klebsiella pneumoniae reveals high genome plasticity, adaptability, and the ability to colonize humans, animals, and the natural environment, awarding it a significant role in the spread of AR. This work presents an in-depth analysis of the whole sequences of 149 K.

Vestibular function in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A neglected sense?

Objective: The study aimed to explore the vestibular function in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).

Methods: Twenty-eight participants with a NDD (6 girls, 22 boys; 6-13 years; 9;3 ± 2;4 years) were enrolled in this pilot study. Sixteen participants had a single NDD (Autism Spectrum Disorder: n = 7, Developmental Coordination Disorder: n = 3; Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: n = 6), the remaining 12 had comorbid NDDs.

Plug-and-play myoelectric control via a self-calibrating random forest common model.

Objective: Electromyographic (EMG) signals show large variabilities over time due to factors such as electrode shifting, user behaviour variations, etc., substantially degrading the performance of myoelectric control models in long-term use. Previously one-time model calibration was usually required each time before usage.

SPR is a fast and straightforward method to estimate the binding constants of cyclic dinucleotides to their binding partners, such as STING or poxin.

The development of small molecule drugs that target protein binders is the central goal in medicinal chemistry. During the lead compound development process, hundreds or even thousands of compounds are synthesized, with the primary focus on their binding affinity to protein targets. Typically, IC or EC values are used to rank these compounds.

Lipid-Rapamycin Nanovaccines Overcome the Antidrug Antibody Barrier in Biologic Therapies.

Antidrug antibodies (ADAs) against biologics present a major challenge for sustained biotherapy, including enzyme replacement therapies and adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies. These antibodies arise from undesirable immune responses, leading to altered pharmacokinetics, reduced efficacy, and adverse reactions. In this study, we introduced a rationally designed lipid-rapamycin (Rapa)-based nanovaccine to restore immune tolerance to biologics and overcome drug resistance.

Pathophysiology, symptoms, outcomes, and evaluation of hyponatremia: comprehension and best clinical practice.

This review article series on water and electrolyte disorders is based on the 'Electrolyte Winter Seminar' held annually for young nephrologists in Japan. The seminar includes lively discussions based on cases, which are also partly included in this series as self-assessment questions. The first article in this series focuses on pathophysiology, symptoms, outcomes, and evaluation of hyponatremia, a common water and electrolyte disorder in clinical practice.

Treatment of hyponatremia: comprehension and best clinical practice.

This review article series on water and electrolyte disorders is based on the 'Electrolyte Winter Seminar' held annually for young nephrologists in Japan. The seminar features dynamic case-based discussions, some of which are included as self-assessment questions in this series. The second article in this series focuses on treatment of hyponatremia, a common water and electrolyte disorder frequently encountered in clinical practice.

Pathway from Earthquake Fear to Post-Traumatic Growth: The Roles of Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Positive Childhood Memories Among Survivors of the 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes.

Posttraumatic growth is essential for understanding how individuals process trauma and adapt psychologically in the aftermath of seismic events. This study aims to explore the mediating effects of resilience, self-efficacy, and positive childhood memories on the relationship between fear of earthquakes and post-traumatic growth among survivors of the 2023 Türkiye earthquake (N = 423). The results of a multi-mediation analysis indicated that earthquake fear indirectly influenced post-traumatic growth through resilience, self-efficacy, and positive childhood memories.

Unveiling remarkable bacterial diversity trapped by cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) nodules inoculated with soils from indigenous lands in Central-Western Brazil.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is recognized as a promiscuous legume in its symbiotic relationships with rhizobia, capable of forming associations with a wide range of bacterial species. Our study focused on assessing the diversity of bacterial strains present in cowpea nodules when inoculated with soils from six indigenous lands of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Central-Western Brazil, comprising the Cerrado and the Pantanal biomes, which are known for their rich diversity. The DNA profiles (BOX-PCR) of 89 strains indicated great genetic diversity, with 20 groups and 23 strains occupying single positions, and all strains grouped at a final similarity level of only 25%.

Elucidating the wedelolactone biosynthesis pathway from Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.: a comprehensive analysis integrating de novo comparative transcriptomics, metabolomics, and molecular docking of targeted proteins.

Eclipta prostrata belongs to the Asteraceae family. The plant contains bioactive compounds like wedelolactone (WDL) and demethylwedelolactone (DW). Its transcriptomic information engaged with secondary metabolite biosynthesis is not available.

Length-Dependent Conduction of Polyynes: Searching for the Limit of the Tunneling Regime.

Rigid, conjugated molecules are excellent candidates as molecular wires since they can achieve full extension between electrodes while maintaining conjugation. Molecular design can be used to minimize the accessible pi surface and interactions between the bridging wire and the electrode. Polyynes are archetypal molecular wires that feature a rigid molecular framework with a cross-section of a single carbon atom.

Enhanced Mechanical Properties in Bulk Nanograined Ni with High-Density Fivefold Twins.

Fivefold twins are extensively present in nanoparticles and nanowires, enhancing their performance in physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. However, a deep insight into the correlation between mechanical properties and fivefold twins in bulk nanograined materials is lacking due to synthesis difficulties. Here, a bulk fivefold-twinned nanograined Ni is synthesized via electrodeposition.

Intact N-glycopeptide analysis of human platelets reveals a Glycostructure important for platelet function.

Glycosylation is an important posttranslational modification in platelets, and the glycosylation pattern is critical for platelet function. To date, the exploration of the roles of various glycoforms in specific platelet functions is largely lacking. In this study, a global analysis of intact N-glycopeptides in human platelets was performed to map all the glycopeptides, glycosites and glycans of platelets.

Impact of Gene Knockout on Cell Aggregation in Suspension Culture.

The development of efficient producers of recombinant pharmaceuticals based on plant cell suspension cultures is a pressing challenge in modern applied science. A primary limitation of plant cell cultures is their relatively low yield of the target protein. One strategy to enhance culture productivity involves reducing cell aggregation.

Impact of Short-Chain Perfluoropropylene Oxide Acids on Biochemical and Behavioural Parameters in (Savigny, 1826).

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants that pose a growing threat to environmental and human health. Soil acts as a long-term reservoir for PFAS, potentially impacting soil biodiversity and ecosystem function. Earthworms, as keystone species in soil ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to PFAS exposure.

Changes in the Spatial Structure of Synchronization Connections in EEG During Nocturnal Sleep Apnea.

This study involved 72 volunteers divided into two groups according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): AHI>15 episodes per hour (ep/h) (main group, n=39, including 28 men, median AHI 44.15, median age 47), 0≤AHI≤15ep/h (control group, n=33, including 12 men, median AHI 2, median age 28). Each participant underwent polysomnography with a recording of 19 EEG channels.

Potent inhibitors of the human RNA ligase Rlig1 highlights its role in RNA integrity maintenance under oxidative cellular stress.

Human RNA ligase 1 (Rlig1) catalyzes the ligation of 5'-phosphate to 3'-hydroxyl ends a conserved three-step mechanism. Rlig1-deficient HEK293 cells exhibit reduced cell viability and RNA integrity under oxidative stress, suggesting Rlig1's role in RNA repair maintenance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are linked to various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, where RNA damage has significant effects.

The prevalence and burden of musculoskeletal disorders amongst Indigenous people in Pimicikamak, northern Manitoba, Canada: A community health survey.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of spine symptoms and spine disability, self-care and care seeking behaviors in a random sample of Indigenous adults residing in Cross Lake, northern Manitoba, Canada.

Study Design And Setting: Orally administered survey in Cree or English to a representative sample of Pimicikamak citizens from the treaty ( = 150/1931 houses) and non-treaty ( = 20/92 houses) land, between May and July 2023. Questions ( = 154) were derived from the 2018 First Nations Regional Health Survey, 2020 Canadian Community Health Survey, and 2021 The Global Burden of Disease study, covering demographics, spine symptoms, chronic conditions, activity limitations, general health, self-care, medication, and satisfaction with care.

GSAG:Ce scintillator: insights from yttrium admixture.

The GSAG:Ce scintillator represents a promising and cost-effective alternative to the expensive GGAG:Ce. Recent studies have attributed its low light yield to the thermal quenching effect. In this study, we employed the strategy of adding an yttrium (Y) admixture to the GSAG matrix to increase the thermal activation energy of thermal quenching.

Isomerization of pirazolopyrimidines to pyrazolopyridines by ring-opening/closing reaction in aqueous NaOH.

An isomerization reaction of 7-aryl-3-formylpyrazolo[1,5-]pyrimidines to 5-aroyl-NH-pyrazolo[3,4-]pyridines proceeding with high yields in aqueous NaOH under microwave conditions is reported. This unprecedented transformation occurs by adding and eliminating a water molecule an ANRORC mechanism (adding the nucleophile, ring-opening, and ring-closing) studied using DFT calculations. The product's utility was proved as they have aroyl and NH groups that simple methods and readily available reagents easily modified; likewise, their optical properties were studied, highlighting their high potential as highly emissive modular dyes ( up to 99%).

The active layer soils of Greenlandic permafrost areas can function as important sinks for volatile organic compounds.

Permafrost is a considerable carbon reservoir harboring up to 1700 petagrams of carbon accumulated over millennia, which can be mobilized as permafrost thaws under global warming. Recent studies have highlighted that a fraction of this carbon can be transformed to atmospheric volatile organic compounds, which can affect the atmospheric oxidizing capacity and contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols. In this study, active layer soils from the seasonally unfrozen layer above the permafrost were collected from two distinct locations of the Greenlandic permafrost and incubated to explore their roles in the soil-atmosphere exchange of volatile organic compounds.

Nationwide representative serosurvey of third-grade school children to evaluate the hepatitis B vaccination impact in Kyrgyzstan, 2022.

Background: Kyrgyzstan introduced universal hepatitis B childhood vaccination in 1999 to reduce the burden of hepatitis B. In 2016, aligned with the goal of controlling hepatitis B in the WHO European Region, a regional target of 0.5% was set for seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among targeted birth cohorts.

A comprehensive survey of scoring functions for protein docking models.

Background: While protein-protein docking is fundamental to our understanding of how proteins interact, scoring protein-protein complex conformations is a critical component of successful docking programs. Without accurate and efficient scoring functions to differentiate between native and non-native binding complexes, the accuracy of current docking tools cannot be guaranteed. Although many innovative scoring functions have been proposed, a good scoring function for docking remains elusive.