Non-Invasive Malaria Detection in Sub-Saharan Africa Using a DNA-Based Sensor System.

Malaria poses a serious global health problem, with half the world population being at risk. Regular screening is crucial for breaking the transmission cycle and combatting the disease spreading. However, current diagnostic tools relying on blood samples face challenges in many malaria-epidemic areas.

Psychological factors associated with Long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Despite the immense impact of Long COVID on public health and those affected, its aetiology remains poorly understood. Findings suggest that psychological factors such as depression contribute to symptom persistence alongside pathophysiological mechanisms, but knowledge of their relative importance is limited. This study aimed to synthesise the current evidence on psychological factors potentially associated with Long COVID and condition-relevant outcomes like quality of life.

Cryptosporidiosis as an opportunistic infection in colorectal cancer patients.

Cryptosporidium spp. is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, including those with colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigates the prevalence and clinical significance of Cryptosporidium spp.

Economic evaluation of critically ill adult CAR-T cell recipients-analysis from a healthcare payer perspective.

Background: CAR-T cell (chimeric antigen receptor T) therapy is now part of standard of care treatment of B‑cell lineage malignancies. Although it is an effective treatment, it comes along with adverse side effects and toxicities that may require intensive care therapy. The costs related to critical care therapy in critically ill patients after CAR‑T administration have not been evaluated.

Dietary changes following a lifestyle-based intervention for dementia risk reduction - results from the AgeWell.de study.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of a multidomain lifestyle intervention conducted in older adults at increased risk for dementia on participants' diet.

Methods: Secondary analyses of the cluster-randomized AgeWell.de-trial, testing a multidomain intervention (optimization of nutrition and medication, enhancement of physical, social and cognitive activity) in older adults at increased dementia risk.

TKK130 is a 3-Hydroxy-Propanamidine (HPA) with Potent Antimalarial Activity and a High Barrier to Resistance.

Malaria continues to pose a significant burden on populations in endemic areas and requires innovative treatment options. Here, we report the synthesis and preclinical evaluation of the novel 3-hydroxypropanamidine (HPA) , which shows excellent antiplasmodial activity against drug-sensitive and -resistant strains. Moreover, in various human cell lines, the compound shows no cytotoxicity and excellent parasite selectivity.

Phenotypic characterization of NK cells in 5-year-old children exposed to maternal HIV and antiretroviral therapy in early-life.

Background: HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children are at increased risk of morbidity during the first years of life. Although the immune responses of HEU infants in early-life are relatively well described, studies of natural killer (NK) cells in older HEU children are lacking. NK cell subsets were analysed in HEU children and compared to those in HIV unexposed uninfected (HUU) children aged ~ five years.

Motivators and barriers for smoking cessation in people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study to inform the design of a tailored intervention.

Background: Tobacco smoking is a relevant determinant of multiple sclerosis (MS) onset, and smokers have increased risk for faster progression of MS compared to non-smokers. While the smoking prevalence is high in Germany, no smoking cessation programs have been developed specifically in MS populations to date, and only little is known about the motivators and barriers influencing smoking cessation in people with MS (pwMS) in Germany. This study aims to identify these factors to inform the design of a tailored smoking cessation intervention.

Predictors of quality of life and resilience in patients with ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the psychosocial burdens of patients with ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Ovarian cancer patients answered a quantitative survey assessing their resilience (BRS) and quality of life (FACT-G7) as well as clinical (first- vs. ≥ second-line treatment), demographic (age < 65 vs.

The impact of COVID-19 on health service utilization in sub-Saharan Africa-a scoping review.

Background: Despite comparatively low rates of COVID-19 admissions and recorded deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the pandemic still had significant impact on health service utilization (HSU). The aim of this scoping review is to synthesize the available evidence of HSU in SSA during the pandemic, focusing on types of studies, changes in HSU compared with the pre-pandemic period, and changes among specific patient groups.

Methods: The scoping review was guided by the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews developed by Arksey and O'Malley.

Social participation and cognitive activities as explanation factor for the association between income and self-rated health for older adults.

Introduction: Health disparities pose a considerable challenge for older adults individuals, particularly those with a heightened risk of developing dementia. Discrepancies in health status among various income brackets are only partially attributable to structural factors such as working and living conditions or the quality of food. The aim of this study was therefore to explore whether and to what extent various health-promoting behaviors can explain the association between household income and self-rated health among older people at risk of dementia.

The overlooked burden of persistent physical symptoms: a call for action in European healthcare.

Regardless of their cause, persistent physical symptoms are distressing somatic complaints that occur on most days for at least several months. They are common in patients with somatic diseases, functional somatic disorders, mental disorders, and undiagnosed medical conditions and are often associated with significant impairment and medical costs. Despite their prevalence and impact, persistent physical symptoms are often overlooked in medical care.

Health and socio-demographic background of Ukrainian minors and their families in Germany - challenges for refugee medicine : A cross-sectional study from the German Network University Medicine (NUM).

Unlabelled: In 2022, over 1,000,000 people from Ukraine fled to Germany, mostly women and children. The aim of this study was to determine health status and socio-demographic background of Ukrainian refugee minors in Germany and to compare that to German minors. In this study, Ukrainian refugees of all ages, who voluntarily made contact with the study centres via flyers or refugee shelters, were interviewed with the help of trained interpreters from 09-12/2022.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI-2) in 42 Countries and 26 Languages.

Sexual desire is a complex construct with important implications for sexual functioning and well-being. In this research, we translated the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI-2), a widely used scale for assessing sexual (desire), into 25 languages from English and used data from the International Sex Survey (ISS) to (a) investigate its psychometric properties (i.e.

Material and social deprivation associated with public health actual causes of death among older people in Europe: longitudinal and multilevel results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE).

Background: Adverse socioeconomic conditions at the individual and regional levels are associated with an increased risk of mortality. However, few studies have examined this relationship using multilevel analysis and, if so, only within a single country. This study aimed to examine this relationship using data from several European countries.

Medical students' leadership competence in health care: development of a self-assessment scale.

Background: Medical leadership plays an increasing role already in early career stages. Undergraduate medical students in the transition to postgraduate education feel not well prepared for their leadership roles. While leadership curricula have been developed, instruments for students' self-assessment of leadership competences as part of their professional development are still missing.

Robotic Assisted Ultrasound-Guided Endovascular Stent Implantation in a Vascular Model.

Background: Endovascular procedures are the preferred method for treating peripheral arterial disease. However, limited imaging options during these procedures, such as X-rays and contrast media, expose patients and healthcare professionals to potentially harmful radiation. This study introduces a robotic ultrasound system (RUSS) for navigating endovascular procedures in order to reduce radiation and provide additional information.