The Epidemiology, Clinical, and Economic Burdens of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Amongst Hospitalized Children Under 5 Years of Age in Jordan: A National Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been recognized as a highly important cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adults. A cross-sectional study at representative sites in Jordan was undertaken to provide an assessment of the epidemiology and health and economic burdens of RSV and influenza infections in Jordan amongst hospitalized children under 5 years old for the period between 15 November 2022 and 14 April 2023. This study involved 1000 patients with a mean age of 17.

Improving Childhood Immunization Service Delivery in Cameroon: A Synthesis of Caregiver Experiences and Recommendations.

Background/objectives: A "people-centered" approach is one of the core principles of the Immunization Agenda (IA) 2030 and emphasizes the need for services to be organized around the needs and expectations of individuals and the community. A better understanding of the immunization experience from the client's perspective is key to guiding the design of policies and interventions aimed at improving immunization delivery and coverage. This study provides a synthesis of the immunization experiences of children's caregivers in Cameroon, highlighting potential barriers for timely and complete immunization.

Twin Screw Melt Granulation of Simvastatin: Drug Solubility and Dissolution Rate Enhancement Using Polymer Blends.

This study evaluates the efficacy of twin screw melt granulation (TSMG), and hot-melt extrusion (HME) techniques in enhancing the solubility and dissolution of simvastatin (SIM), a poorly water-soluble drug with low bioavailability. Additionally, the study explores the impact of binary polymer blends on the drug's miscibility, solubility, and in vitro release profile. SIM was processed with various polymeric combinations at a 30% / drug load, and a 1:1 ratio of binary polymer blends, including Soluplus (SOP), Kollidon K12 (K12), Kollidon VA64 (KVA), and Kollicoat IR (KIR).

Novel Lipid Formulation Increases Absorption of Oral Cannabidiol (CBD).

: Cannabidiol (CBD) is an approved treatment for childhood epilepsies and a candidate treatment for several other CNS disorders. However, it has poor oral bioavailability. We investigated the effect of a novel lipid formulation on its absorption in humans and on its tissue distribution in mice.

Nanocarriers for Delivery of Anticancer Drugs: Current Developments, Challenges, and Perspectives.

Cancer, the most common condition worldwide, ranks second in terms of the number of human deaths, surpassing cardiovascular diseases. Uncontrolled cell multiplication and resistance to cell death are the traditional features of cancer. The myriad of treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to treat this disease.

Harnessing the Antibacterial, Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Carcinogenic Properties of Linn (Tulsi).

Linn ( L.), commonly known as Holy Basil or Tulsi, is a fragrant herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This plant is widely cultivated and found in north-central parts of India, several Arab countries, West Africa and tropical regions of the Eastern World.

Nanopore Data-Driven Chromosome-Level Assembly of Flax Genome.

Flax is an important crop grown for seed and fiber. Flax chromosome number is 2n = 30, and its genome size is about 450-480 Mb. To date, the genomes of several flax varieties have been sequenced and assembled.

Nutritional Prehabilitation Intervention in Hematological Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Nutritional interventions play a critical role in bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. This review evaluates the effectiveness of nutritional strategies in mitigating post-transplant malnutrition and improving clinical outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Embase.

Targeting the Calcium-Sensing Receptor in Chemically Induced Medium-Grade Colitis in Female BALB/C Mice.

Background/objectives: The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a multifunctional receptor proposed as a possible drug target for inflammatory bowel disease. We showed previously that CaSR inhibition with NPS 2143, a negative allosteric modulator of the CaSR, somewhat ameliorated the symptoms of chemically induced severe colitis in mice. However, it was unclear whether the potential of CaSR inhibition to reduce colitis may have been overshadowed by the severity of the induced inflammation in our previous study.

The Association of Dietary Polyamines with Mortality and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Prospective Study in UK Biobank.

Background: Polyamines, including spermidine (SPD), spermine (SPM) and putrescine (PUT), are essential for cellular physiology and various cellular processes. This study aimed to examine the associations of dietary polyamines intake and all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 184,732 participants without CVD at baseline from the UK Biobank who had completed at least one dietary questionnaire.

Comparison of Drug Delivery Systems with Different Types of Nanoparticles in Terms of Cellular Uptake and Responses in Human Endothelial Cells, Pericytes, and Astrocytes.

: The key components of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and the capillary basement membrane. The BBB serves as the main barrier for drug delivery to the brain and is the most restrictive endothelial barrier in the body. Nearly all large therapeutic molecules and over 90% of small-molecule drugs cannot cross the BBB.

Enhancement of Thermochemical Energy Storage by Alkali Metal Chloride Salts-Doped Ca-Based Sorbents: A Combined DFT and Experimental Study.

In this paper, the enhancement of thermochemical energy storage by alkali metal chloride salts-doped Ca-based sorbents is revealed by experiments and DFT calculations. The results indicate that NaCl and KCl doping increases the reaction rate and cycle stability. Compared to CaO, the conversion of NaCl-CaO and KCl-CaO after one cycle is increased by 59.

Use of Gain-of-Function Screening to Identify miRNAs Involved in Paclitaxel Resistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Paclitaxel is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer (BC), including as a front-line treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, resistance to paclitaxel remains one of the major causes of death associated with treatment failure. Multiple studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play a role in paclitaxel resistance and are associated with both disease progression and metastasis.

Defects in the Mitochondrial Genome of Dogs with Recurrent Tumours.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations in dogs diagnosed with primary and recurrent tumours, employing Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) for sequencing. Our investigation focused on mtDNA extracted from blood and tumour tissues of three dogs, aiming to pinpoint polymorphisms, mutations, and heteroplasmy levels that could influence mitochondrial function in cancer pathogenesis. Notably, we observed the presence of mutations in the D-loop region, especially in the VNTR region, which may be crucial for mitochondrial replication, transcription, and genome stability, suggesting its potential role in cancer progression.

LAP1 Interactome Profiling Provides New Insights into LAP1's Physiological Functions.

The nuclear envelope (NE), a protective membrane bordering the nucleus, is composed of highly specialized proteins that are indispensable for normal cellular activity. Lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1) is a NE protein whose functions are just beginning to be unveiled. The fact that mutations causing LAP1 deficiency are extremely rare and pathogenic is indicative of its paramount importance to preserving human health, anticipating that LAP1 might have a multifaceted role in the cell.

Evolving Trends and Future Demands in ENT Procedures: A Nationwide 10-Year Analysis.

: This study aims to investigate the trends in otology, rhinology, and head and neck (H&N) operations over the past decade in England. These trends will allow for predictive modelling to forecast the demand over the coming years to aid workforce and resource planning in ENT. : Hospital Episode Statistics data were extracted between April 2012 and April 2023.

Results of Modified Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery, Factors for the First Metatarsal Shortening, and Patients' Satisfaction.

: Hallux valgus is a prevalent foot deformity conventionally treated with open surgical techniques, which carry risk of complications due to extensive soft tissue dissection. Minimally invasive surgeries (MISs) as alternatives offer comparable outcomes, reduced pain, and faster recovery; however, their challenges include the risk of shortening of the first metatarsal. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of our modified MIS hallux valgus correction technique and investigate the factors that affect first metatarsal shortening.

Ablative Five-Fraction Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Elderly Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: A Single Institution Experience.

Pancreatic cancer, with its poor prognosis, is frequently diagnosed in elderly patients who may be ineligible for surgery or chemoradiation due to age or comorbidities. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) offers a targeted approach by delivering precise, high-dose radiation to a limited volume in few fractions. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBRT in elderly pancreatic cancer patients.

Predicting Intensive Care Unit Admission in COVID-19-Infected Pregnant Women Using Machine Learning.

: The rapid onset of COVID-19 placed immense strain on many already overstretched healthcare systems. The unique physiological changes in pregnancy, amplified by the complex effects of COVID-19 in pregnant women, rendered prioritization of infected expectant mothers more challenging. This work aims to use state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to predict whether a COVID-19-infected pregnant woman will be admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

Clean Self-Supervised MRI Reconstruction from Noisy, Sub-Sampled Training Data with Robust SSDU.

Most existing methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction with deep learning use fully supervised training, which assumes that a fully sampled dataset with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is available for training. In many circumstances, however, such a dataset is highly impractical or even technically infeasible to acquire. Recently, a number of self-supervised methods for MRI reconstruction have been proposed, which use sub-sampled data only.

Optimization and Standardization of Stable De-Epidermized Dermis (DED) Models for Functional Evaluation of Cutaneous Cell Therapies.

The human skin is a remarkable organ capable of extensive regeneration, especially after severe injuries such as burns and related wounds. The de-epidermized dermis (DED) model has become a valuable in vitro tool for skin regeneration studies, particularly for testing the mechanism of action and the efficacy of clinical cutaneous cell therapies. To further improve the quality and robustness of these applications, our study focused on optimizing and standardizing DED tissue preparation and storage, enhancing its effectiveness for clinical testing.

NeCA: 3D Coronary Artery Tree Reconstruction from Two 2D Projections via Neural Implicit Representation.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common health threats worldwide. 2D X-ray invasive coronary angiography (ICA) remains the most widely adopted imaging modality for CVD assessment during real-time cardiac interventions. However, it is often difficult for the cardiologists to interpret the 3D geometry of coronary vessels based on 2D planes.

Long-Term Results After Salter Innominate Osteotomy for the Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip-Only 8% Rate of Total Hip Arthroplasty at a Median Follow-Up of 22 Years.

Background/objectives: The redirection or reshaping of the acetabulum might be warranted to attain a concentric and stable hip in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of this study is to assess the late clinical and radiological results, and to determine the number of patients requiring secondary surgery or a total hip arthroplasty at a long-term follow-up.

Methods: Our institution performed 99 Salter osteotomies on 76 patients without underlying neuromuscular conditions over a 21-year period, from 1981 to 2002.

Priorities of the Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury Population: An International Study on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Background/objectives: Overall priorities of the international pediatric-onset spinal cord injury (SCI) population are unknown. The purpose was to describe and compare Life and Health (L&H) domain overall priorities of European youth with SCI and their parents and caregivers (P&C).

Methods: A survey with a cross-sectional design, prepared by the PEPSCI Collaboration, was conducted in six European countries.

The Differential Complement, Fc and Chemokine Receptor Expression of B Cells in IgG4-Related Pancreatobiliary Disease and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Its Relevance for Targeting B Cell Pathways in Disease.

Immune-mediated liver and biliary conditions, such as IgG4-related pancreatobiliary disease (IgG4-PB) and a subset of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC- high(h)IgG4), exhibit increased IgG4 levels in the blood. The relative expression of IgG4+ and IgG1+ B cells in the blood and the expression of complement and Fc receptors on these IgG1+ and IgG4+ B cells in IgG4-PB and PSC have not been previously described. We hypothesised that the patterns of expression of these cells and their receptors would differ, are relevant to disease pathogenesis and may represent therapeutic targets.