Balloon atrioseptostomy for transposition of the great arteries in Europe: characteristics and outcomes.

Introduction And Objectives: Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) improves oxygenation in neonates with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and restrictive foramen ovale. Currently, there is a global shortage of dedicated BAS catheters, while new unmarked catheters have recently become available at some European centers. This study aimed to characterize BAS outcomes using the currently available BAS catheters in Europe.

The paradox of the self-studying brain.

The paradox of a brain trying to study itself presents a conundrum, raising questions about self-reference, consciousness, psychiatric disorders, and the boundaries of scientific inquiry. By which means can this complex organ shift the focus of study towards itself? We aim at unpacking the intricacies of this paradox. Historically, this question has been raised by philosophers under different frameworks.

Exploring body ideal internalization, sociocultural pressures, and probable muscle dysmorphia in Canadian and American boys and men.

This study aimed to determine whether the internalization of body ideals and sociocultural pressures to adhere to body ideals are associated with a greater likelihood of having probable muscle dysmorphia. Cross-sectional data from 1553 boys and men ages 15-35 from Canada and the United States were used. Multiple logistic regression analyses determined the association between the internalization of three body ideals, sociocultural pressures to adhere to body ideals from four sources, and having probable muscle dysmorphia.

Aarskog-Scott syndrome: a clinical study based on a large series of 111 male patients with a pathogenic variant in and management recommendations.

Background: Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS) is a rare condition with multiple congenital anomalies, caused by hemizygote variants in the gene. Its description was based mostly on old case reports, in whom a molecular diagnosis was not always available, or on small series. The aim of this study was to better delineate the phenotype and the natural history of AAS and to provide clues for the diagnosis and the management of the patients.

Influence of meteorological changes on the occurrence of cerebral aneurysm rupture in the Montpellier region: A retrospective study.

Background/context: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a sudden and potentially serious event. Recognized risk factors of aSAH include smoking, high blood pressure, and alcohol consumption. Some studies have reported associations between risk of aSAH and climatic conditions, but no consensus exists.

Cross-calibration of areal bone mineral densities and body composition between DMS Stratos and Hologic Horizon A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometers: The effect of body mass index.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and body composition measured by two dual-energy X-ray absorptiometers (DXA), the DMS Stratos® (STR) and the Hologic Horizon A® (HRZ), and then generate cross-calibration equations between the two scanners.

Methods: Repeat scans were obtained from 251 adults (85 % female), 36 ± 14 years old with mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.7 ± 11.

Ovarian cancer staging and follow-up: updated guidelines from the European Society of Urogenital Radiology female pelvic imaging working group.

Objective: To provide up-to-date European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) guidelines for staging and follow-up of patients with ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods: Twenty-one experts, members of the female pelvis imaging ESUR subcommittee from 19 institutions, replied to 2 rounds of questionnaires regarding imaging techniques and structured reporting used for pre-treatment evaluation of OC patients. The results of the survey were presented to the other authors during the group's annual meeting.

Superabsorbent wound dressings for the management of highly exuding wounds: a literature review.

Exudate management is essential for creating a moist wound environment that promotes optimal healing, especially in highly exuding wounds, where choosing an appropriate wound dressing to handle high volumes of exudate is a key part of the wound management strategy. Superabsorbent wound dressings (SWDs) have been designed to absorb and retain large amounts of exudate. Thus, they are advocated for management of wounds with moderate-to-high levels of exudate to reduce the risk of leakage and damage to the periwound skin.

Recent Advances in Perioperative Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Thoracic surgery is associated with significant postoperative pain, which can hinder recovery and elevate morbidity risks. Traditionally, epidural anesthesia has been the cornerstone for pain management, but its drawbacks including technical challenges, side effects, and complications necessitate exploring alternative methods. This narrative review examined recent advances in perioperative analgesic strategies in thoracic surgery, focusing on regional anesthetic techniques like paravertebral blocks (PVBs), erector spinae plane blocks (ESPBs), intercostal blocks, and serratus anterior blocks.

A Risk Score to Identify Low Bone Mineral Density for Age in Young Patients with Anorexia Nervosa.

Objective: Developing a scoring assessment tools for the determination of low bone mass for age at lumbar spine and hip in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Methods: The areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was determined with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In 331 women with AN and 121 controls, aged from 14.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides: Decoding Their Structural Variability, Health Benefits, and the Evolution of Infant Nutrition.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), the third most abundant solid component in human milk, vary significantly among women due to factors such as secretor status, race, geography, season, maternal nutrition and weight, gestational age, and delivery method. In recent studies, HMOs have been shown to have a variety of functional roles in the development of infants. Because HMOs are not digested by infants, they act as metabolic substrates for certain bacteria, helping to establish the infant's gut microbiota.

Fucosidosis: A Review of a Rare Disease.

Fucosidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by α-L-fucosidase deficiency following a mutation in the gene. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down fucose-containing glycoproteins, glycolipids, and oligosaccharides within the lysosome. Mutations in result in either reduced enzyme activity or complete loss of function, leading to the accumulation of fucose-rich substrates in lysosomes.

Exceeding the Limits with Nutraceuticals: Looking Towards Parkinson's Disease and Frailty.

One of the most pressing challenges facing society today is the rising prevalence of physical and cognitive frailty. This geriatric condition makes older adults more vulnerable to disability, illness, and a heightened risk of mortality. In this scenario, Parkinson's disease (PD) and geriatric frailty, which share several common characteristics, are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for innovative strategies.

Heterochromatic gene silencing controls CD4 T cell susceptibility to regulatory T cell-mediated suppression in a murine allograft model.

Protective immune responses require close interactions between conventional (Tconv) and regulatory T cells (Treg). The extracellular mediators and signaling events that regulate the crosstalk between these CD4 T cell subsets have been extensively characterized. However, how Tconv translate Treg-dependent suppressive signals at the chromatin level remains largely unknown.

Moisture-driven carbonation kinetics for ultrafast CO mineralization.

CO mineralization, a process where CO reacts with minerals to form stable carbonates, presents a sustainable approach for CO sequestration and mitigation of global warming. While the crucial role of water in regulating CO mineralization efficiency is widely acknowledged, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains elusive. This study employs a combined experimental and atomistic simulation approach to elucidate the intricate mechanisms governing moisture-driven carbonation kinetics of calcium-bearing minerals.

Collaborative management partnerships strongly decreased deforestation in the most at-risk protected areas in Africa since 2000.

Collaborative management partnerships (CMPs) between state wildlife authorities and nonprofit conservation organizations to manage protected areas (PAs) have been used increasingly across Sub-Saharan Africa since the 2000s. They aim to attract funding, build capacity, and increase the environmental effectiveness of PAs. Our study documents the rise of CMPs, examines their current extent, and measures their effectiveness in protecting habitats.

Human fallopian tube organoids provide a favourable environment for sperm motility.

Study Question: Does a human fallopian tube (HFT) organoid model offer a favourable apical environment for human sperm survival and motility?

Summary Answer: After differentiation, the apical compartment of a new HFT organoid model provides a favourable environment for sperm motility, which is better than commercial media.

What Is Known Already: HFTs are the site of major events that are crucial for achieving an ongoing pregnancy, such as gamete survival and competence, fertilization steps, and preimplantation embryo development. In order to better understand the tubal physiology and tubal factors involved in these reproductive functions, and to improve still suboptimal in vitro conditions for gamete preparation and embryo culture during IVF, we sought to develop an HFT organoid model from isolated adult stem cells to allow spermatozoa co-culture in the apical compartment.

Epidemiology and Prognostic Factors Associated With Mold-Positive Blood Cultures: 10-Year Data From a French Prospective Surveillance Program (2012-2022).

Background: While invasive fusariosis and lomentosporiosis are known to be associated with fungemia, overall data on mold-related fungemia are limited, hampering early management. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of mold-positive blood cultures.

Methods: Epidemiological and clinical data on mold-positive blood cultures from 2012 to 2022 were obtained from the RESSIF database.

Sustainable Valorization of Rice Straw into Biochar and Carbon Dots Using a Novel One-Pot Approach for Dual Applications in Detection and Removal of Lead Ions.

Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic heavy metal that causes significant health hazards and environmental damage. Thus, the detection and removal of Pb ions in freshwater sources are imperative for safeguarding public health and the environment. Moreover, the transformation of single resources into multiple high-value products is vital for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Peroxidase (POD) Mimicking Activity of Different Types of Poly(ethyleneimine)-Mediated Prussian Blue Nanoparticles.

Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) have been identified as a promising candidate for biomimetic peroxidase (POD)-like activity, specifically due to the metal centres (Fe/Fe) of Prussian blue (PB), which have the potential to function as catalytically active centres. The decoration of PBNPs with desired functional polymers (such as amino- or carboxylate-based) primarily facilitates the subsequent linkage of biomolecules to the nanoparticles for their use in biosensor applications. Thus, the elucidation of the catalytic POD mimicry of these systems is of significant scientific interest but has not been investigated in depth yet.

Noninvasive respiratory support following extubation in critically ill adults with obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with obesity are at high-risk of extubation failure. Discrepancies were found in the results of recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the roles of noninvasive ventilation (NIV), high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and conventional oxygen therapy (COT) to prevent extubation failure in critically ill patients with obesity.

Methods: In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science from 1 January 1998 to 1 July 2024 for RCTs evaluating noninvasive respiratory support therapies (NIV, HFNC, COT, NIV + HFNC) after extubation in critically ill adults with obesity.

Amphiphilic dynamic covalent polymer vectors of siRNA.

Dynamic covalent polymers (DCPs) recently emerged as smart siRNA delivery vectors, which dynamically self-assemble through siRNA templating and depolymerize in a controlled manner. Herein, we report the dynamic combinatorial screening of cationic and amphiphilic peptide-based monomers. We provide experimental evidence, by mass spectrometry analyses, of the siRNA-templated formation of DCPs, and show that amphiphilic DCPs display superior activity in terms of siRNA complexation and delivery in cells.

The Omics-Driven Machine Learning Path to Cost-Effective Precision Medicine in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant and growing global health challenge, making early detection and slowing disease progression essential for improving patient outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods such as glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria are insufficient to capture the complexity of CKD. In contrast, omics technologies have shed light on the molecular mechanisms of CKD, helping to identify biomarkers for disease assessment and management.