Modeling absorbed alpha particle dose from diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy in changing tissue volumes.

Background: Diffusing alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy ("Alpha DaRT") is a promising new radiation therapy modality for treating bulky tumors. Ra-carrying sources are inserted intratumorally, producing a therapeutic alpha-dose region with a total size of a few millimeter via the diffusive motion of Ra's alpha-emitting daughters. Clinical studies of Alpha DaRT have reported 100% positive response (30%-100% shrinkage within several weeks), with post-insertion swelling in close to half of the cases.

Primordial black holes and their gravitational-wave signatures.

In the recent years, primordial black holes (PBHs) have emerged as one of the most interesting and hotly debated topics in cosmology. Among other possibilities, PBHs could explain both some of the signals from binary black hole mergers observed in gravitational-wave detectors and an important component of the dark matter in the Universe. Significant progress has been achieved both on the theory side and from the point of view of observations, including new models and more accurate calculations of PBH formation, evolution, clustering, merger rates, as well as new astrophysical and cosmological probes.

Three episodes of basilar tip occlusion necessitating thrombectomies and a vertebral artery sacrifice in a patient with subclavian artery dissection distal to the vertebral artery origin: a case report.

Background: While acute occlusion of the subclavian artery (SCA) proximal to the vertebral artery (VA) origin is an uncommon but recognized cause of embolic stroke, an occlusion distal to the VA is rare and can be easily overlooked.

Case Description: We describe the clinical presentation and evaluation of a previously healthy 56-year-old woman who experienced four life-threatening posterior circulation strokes within 1 month, three of which led to basilar artery (BA) occlusions requiring thrombectomies. Workup revealed an occlusion of the right SCA located less than 1 cm distal to the VA origin.

Success and failure in establishing national physician databases: a comparison between Canada and Israel.

Physician databases constitute an essential component of health workforce planning. However, while some countries have established functioning national physician databases, others have failed to do so. We compared the healthcare systems of two technologically and economically developed countries, Canada and Israel, which represent cases of respective success and failure in establishing physician databases.

Inoculation reduces social media engagement with affectively polarized content in the UK and US.

The generation and distribution of hyper-partisan content on social media has gained millions of exposure across platforms, often allowing malevolent actors to influence and disrupt democracies. The spread of this content is facilitated by real users' engaging with it on platforms. The current study tests the efficacy of an 'inoculation' intervention via six online survey-based experiments in the UK and US.

XIS-PM: A daily spatiotemporal machine-learning model for PM in the contiguous United States.

Air-pollution monitoring is sparse across most of the United States, so geostatistical models are important for reconstructing concentrations of fine particulate air pollution (PM) for use in health studies. We present XGBoost-IDW Synthesis (XIS), a daily high-resolution PM machine-learning model covering the contiguous US from 2003 through 2023. XIS uses aerosol optical depth from satellites and a parsimonious set of additional predictors to make predictions at arbitrary points, capturing near-roadway gradients and allowing the estimation of address-level exposures.

Global impact of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on pneumococcal meningitis in all ages: the PSERENADE project.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) introduced in childhood national immunization programs lowered vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but replacement with non-vaccine-types persisted throughout the PCV10/13 follow-up period. We assessed PCV10/13 impact on pneumococcal meningitis incidence globally.

Methods: The number of cases with serotyped pneumococci detected in cerebrospinal fluid and population denominators were obtained from surveillance sites globally.

Educational outcomes of care leavers and their matched peers: A gender perspective.

Background: Educational gaps between care leavers and their same-age peers not in care are well documented. However, little is known about gender disparities in educational outcomes between care leavers and their matched peers.

Objectives: To examine and predict secondary school educational attainments (EA) and enrollment in postsecondary education (PSE) by (1) study group: care leavers versus their matched peers, (2) gender: men versus women, (3) interaction between study group and gender.

Practice makes better? The influence of increased practice on task conflict in the Stroop task.

The Stroop task is widely used to study attentional control and cognitive flexibility. However, questions about its sensitivity to training and the impact of task conflict on attentional control remain open. We investigated the effects of practice and task conflict on attentional control in the Stroop task, with participants completing four sessions of a Stroop task over 3 weeks in low and high task-conflict conditions.

Preoperative hand therapy instructions do not improve short-term outcomes in carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery.

The impact of preoperative structured instructions by a hand therapist on recovery after carpal tunnel and trigger finger releases was assessed in 87 patients. No significant differences in recovery, satisfaction, or outcomes were found, suggesting limited benefit.

Targeted Polymer-Peptide Conjugates for E-Selectin Blockade in Renal Injury.

Background/objectives: Leukocytes play a significant role in both acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to pathogenesis and tissue damage. The process of leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissues is mediated by the interactions between the leukocytes and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs, i.e.

Multiscale Numerical Study of Enhanced Ductility Ratios and Capacity in Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Concrete Beams for Safety Design.

Rigid reinforced concrete (RC) frames are generally adopted as stiff elements to make the building structures resistant to seismic forces. However, a method has yet to be fully sought to provide earthquake resistance through optimizing beam and column performance in a rigid frame. Due to its high corrosion resistance, the integration of CFRP offers an opportunity to reduce frequent repairs and increase durability.

Ultrasonic Deposition of Cellulose Nanocrystals on Substrates for Enhanced Eradication Activity on Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Amidst the pervasive threat of bacterial afflictions, the imperative for advanced antibiofilm surfaces with robust antimicrobial efficacy looms large. This study unveils a sophisticated ultrasonic synthesis method for cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs, 10-20 nm in diameter and 300-900 nm in length) and their subsequent application as coatings on flexible substrates, namely cotton (CC-1) and membrane (CM-1). The cellulose nanocrystals showed excellent water repellency with a water contact angle as high as 148° on the membrane.

Dialysis Patients' Evaluation of Lung Edema at Home Using a Mobile Phone Tele-Ultrasound Application: A Pilot Study.

: Home rehabilitation improves patient satisfaction and reduces the need for specialist consultations. Hemodialysis is a costly post-ICU service that requires frequent monitoring. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of patients self-scanning their lungs with an ultrasound device within the hospital.

Assessing the Impact of the Prone Position on Acute Kidney Injury.

: Prone positioning is a standard intervention in managing patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and is known to improve oxygenation. However, its effects on other organs, particularly the kidneys, are less well understood. This study aimed to assess the association between prone positioning and the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), specifically in overweight and obese patients.

Relative Distribution of DnaA and DNA in Cells as a Factor of Their Phenotypic Variability.

Phenotypic variability in isogenic bacterial populations is a remarkable feature that helps them cope with external stresses, yet it is incompletely understood. This variability can stem from gene expression noise and/or the unequal partitioning of low-copy-number freely diffusing proteins during cell division. Some high-copy-number components are transiently associated with almost immobile large assemblies (hyperstructures) and may be unequally distributed, contributing to bacterial phenotypic variability.

Mortality in Antinuclear Antibody-Positive Patients with and Without Rheumatologic Immune-Related Disorders: A Large-Scale Population-Based Study.

: To explore the potential association between positive ANA serology and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of patients, including those with and without rheumatological conditions and other immune-related diseases. : A retrospective cohort study analyzed all-cause mortality among 205,862 patients from Clalit Health Services (CHS), Israel's largest health maintenance organization (HMO). We compared patients aged 18 and older with positive ANA serology (n = 102,931) to an equal number of ANA-negative controls (n = 102,931).

Predictive Factors Associated with Inappropriate Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitors Use in Hospitalized Patients: A Case-Control Study.

: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective agents for treating acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. The prescription of an intravenous (IV) formulation of PPIs has increased dramatically. The aims of this study were to assess the appropriateness of IV PPI use and to define the risk factors and outcomes associated with its inappropriate use.

VDAC1: A Key Player in the Mitochondrial Landscape of Neurodegeneration.

Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 (VDAC1) is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein that plays a crucial role in regulating cellular energy metabolism and apoptosis by mediating the exchange of ions and metabolites between mitochondria and the cytosol. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are central features of neurodegenerative diseases. The pivotal functions of VDAC1 in controlling mitochondrial membrane permeability, regulating calcium balance, and facilitating programmed cell death pathways, position it as a key determinant in the delicate balance between neuronal viability and degeneration.

Human subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte atlases uncover classical and nonclassical adipocytes and depot-specific patterns.

Human adipose depots are functionally distinct. Yet, recent single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analyses largely uncovered overlapping or similar cell-type landscapes. We hypothesized that adipocyte subtypes, differentiation trajectories and/or intercellular communication patterns could illuminate this depot similarity-difference gap.

One hundred thirty-four germ line PU.1 variants and the agammaglobulinemic patients carrying them.

Leukopoiesis is lethally arrested in mice lacking the master transcriptional regulator PU.1. Depending on the animal model, subtotal PU.

Lost opportunities: How gendered arrangements harm men.

Traditional gendered arrangements-norms, roles, prejudices, and hierarchies-shape every human life. Associated harms are primarily framed as women's issues due to more severe consequences women face. Yet, gendered arrangements also shape 's relationships, career paths, and health.

Beta-tricalcium phosphate patient-specific gap implants in bilateral sagittal split osteotomy: an innovative treatment method to enhance the mandibular border contour. Part 1: concept and workflow.

Antegonial notching can occur after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) and may lead to unpleasant aesthetic outcomes in both young and older patients. This clinical study presents a new concept to potentially overcome this problem and describes the workflow. Beta-tricalcium phosphate patient-specific gap implants (β-TCP gap-PSIs) are biocompatible and resorbable bone grafts that are placed in the space of the osteotomy gap during orthognathic procedures; they are virtually planned and printed in 3D.

A new Mediterranean Lifestyle Pyramid for children and youth: a critical lifestyle tool for preventing obesity and associated cardiometabolic diseases in a sustainable context.

Cardiovascular risk factors begin in childhood and track into adulthood, increasing the possibility of impaired cardiometabolic health. Adopting healthy dietary patterns can help curb childhood obesity, a worrisome epidemic problem at present. In the era of personalized nutrition, dietary recommendations should be adapted to different stages of life, including children (older than 3 years) and adolescents.