Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second-Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Intestinal parasitic infection is a common disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The burden of intestinal parasites is worse in schoolchildren, which leads to absenteeism from school, lower cognitive ability, affects academic performance, and causes malnutrition and anemia. While many studies have been reported, there is a paucity of published data in Debre Markos.

Recent Advances in Self-Powered Sensors Based on Ionic Hydrogels.

After years of research and development, flexible sensors are gradually evolving from the traditional "electronic" paradigm to the "ionic" dimension. Smart flexible sensors derived from the concept of ion transport are gradually emerging in the flexible electronics. In particular, ionic hydrogels have increasingly become the focus of research on flexible sensors as a result of their tunable conductivity, flexibility, biocompatibility, and self-healable capabilities.

Engineering Active Interfaces on the Surface of Porous Single-Crystalline TiO Monoliths for Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Stability.

The engineering design and construction of active interfaces represents a promising approach amidst numerous initiatives aimed at augmenting catalytic activity. Herein, we present a novel approach to incorporate interconnected pores within bulk single crystals for the synthesis of macroscopic porous single-crystalline rutile titanium oxide (R-TiO). The porous single crystal (PSC) R-TiO couples a nanocrystalline framework as the solid phase with pores as the fluid phase within its structure, providing unique advantages in localized structure construction and in the field of catalysis.

Transferrin Disassociates TCR from CD3 Signaling Apparatus to Promote Metastasis.

Immune recognition and activation by the peptide-laden major histocompatibility complex-T cell receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex is essential for anti-tumor immunity. Tumors may escape immune surveillance by dissembling the complex. Here, we report that transferrin, which is overexpressed in patients with liver metastasis, disassociates TCR from the CD3 signaling apparatus by targeting the constant domain (CD) of T cell receptor α (TCRα), consequently suppresses T cell activation, and inhibits anti-metastatic and anti-tumor immunity.

Recent Advances in Asymmetric Wettability Dressings for Wound Exudate Management.

The management of wound exudate is of vital importance for wound healing. Exudate accumulation around wound prolongs inflammation and hinders healing. Although traditional dressings can absorb wound exudate, they are unable to drain exudate in time, often resulting in a poor feature with wound healing.

Equivalent reduction of Escherichia coli by rinsing hands with cold and warm water.

Objective: Hand washing is considered an important public health intervention to reduce the burden of communicable diseases such as gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. Washbasins in public restrooms are often only equipped with cold water and it can be observed that people only rinse their hands briefly after using the toilet instead of washing them properly with soap. As there are no recommendations on the optimal water temperature for efficacy, we measured the efficacy of simple hand rinsing with cold (4°C) and warm (40°C) water for 10 and 20 seconds compared to the European Norm EN 1499 reference hand wash.

Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of ALIGN, a Randomized Controlled Study of Atrasentan in Patients With IgA Nephropathy.

Introduction: Endothelin A (ETA) receptor activation is a driver of proteinuria, kidney inflammation, and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Atrasentan, a selective ETA receptor antagonist, has potential to reduce proteinuria and preserve kidney function in IgAN. ALIGN (NCT04573478) is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of atrasentan in patients with IgAN at high risk of kidney function loss.

Effect of free gingival graft dimension on postsurgical shrinkage in posterior implant placement: A prospective parallel cohort study.

Statement Of Problem: The impact of free gingival graft (FGG) dimensions on the postsurgical shrinkage of keratinized tissue width (KTW) and surface area in posterior implant sites is unclear. Standardized assessments of how graft dimensions influence KTW and surface area shrinkage rates over a 6-month period after FGG are lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective parallel cohort study was to examine the impact of the graft dimensions on the postsurgical shrinkage of KTW and surface area over a 6-month follow-up period after FGG in the posterior regions.

Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests: State of the Art and Implications for Radiologists.

Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests are already being marketed as noninvasive, convenient opportunities to test for multiple cancer types with a single blood sample. The technology varies-involving detection of circulating tumor DNA, fragments of DNA, RNA, or proteins unique to each targeted cancer. The priorities and tradeoffs of reaching diagnostic resolution in the setting of possible false positives and negatives remain under active study.

Electrocatalytic CO Reduction in Acids: A Groundbreaking Approach to Converting CO into Fuels and Feedstocks.

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CORR) at industrial-level current densities provides a sustainable approach to converting CO into value-added fuels and feedstocks using renewable electricity. However, the CORR conducted typically in alkaline and neutral electrolytes encounters some challenges due to the inevitable reaction between CO and OH ions, which undermines CO utilization and leads to poor operational stability. Acidic media present a viable alternative by reducing (bi)carbonate production, thereby enhancing the carbon efficiency and stability in CORR.

Pathogen delivery route impacts disease severity in experimental Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection of domestic lambs.

M. ovipneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen that can cause mild to moderate pneumonia and reduced productivity in domestic lambs. However, studies on both natural and experimental M.

Accuracy (trueness and precision) of 3-dimensional virtual patients: an in vitro investigation of different facial scanners and digital integration techniques.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of different facial scanners and integration approaches on the accuracy of virtual dental patients (VDPs).

Methods: Forty VDPs were generated using a head mannequin and two facial scanners: 1) an industrial scanner and 2) a smartphone scanner. For each scanner, two integration methods were applied: 1) integration by virtual facebow scan and 2) integration by nose-teeth scan.

Threats of zoonotic pathogens in food chain: Current status and gaps in India.

Background: Public health is seriously threatened by transmission of zoonotic infection through the food chain. Factors like increasing population, deforestation, high demand for animal protein, and trade of sub-clinically infected animals are the main causes of the spread of infections from asymptomatic animals to humans. Despite several national programs like (The Clean India Mission) prevention of open defecation and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases remains high in India.

Dynamically Cyclic Fe/Fe Active Sites as Electron and Proton-Feeding Centers Boosting CO Photoreduction Powered by Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation.

Solar-driven CO photoreduction holds promise for sustainable fuel and chemical productions, but the complex proton-coupled multi-electron transfer processes and sluggish oxidation half-reaction kinetics substantially hinder its efficiency. Here, we devised a rational catalyst design to address these challenges by fabricating ferrocene carboxylic acid-functionalized CsSbBr nanocrystals (CSB-Fc NCs), which facilitate simultaneous benzyl alcohol oxidation and CO reduction reactions under visible-light irradiation. The synchronized proton-coupled electron transfer processes between the reduction and oxidation half-reactions on CSB-Fc NCs resulted in a 5-fold increase in the CO reduction rate (45.

All-Optically Controlled Memristive Device Based on CuO/TiO Heterostructure Toward Neuromorphic Visual System.

The optoelectronic memristor integrates the multifunctionalities of image sensing, storage, and processing, which has been considered as the leading candidate to construct novel neuromorphic visual system. In particular, memristive materials with all-optical modulation and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility are highly desired for energy-efficient image perception. As a p-type oxide material, CuO exhibits outstanding theoretical photoelectric conversion efficiency and broadband photoresponse.

Meta-atoms: From Metamaterials to Metachips.

Electromagnetic (EM) metamaterials represent a cutting-edge field that achieves anomalously macroscopic properties through artificial design and arrangement of microstructure arrays to freely manipulate EM fields and waves in desired ways. The unit cell of a microstructure array is also called a meta-atom, which can construct effective medium parameters that do not exist in traditional materials or are difficult to realize with traditional technologies. By deep integration with digital information, the meta-atom is evolved to a digital meta-atom, leading to the emergence of information metamaterials.

Finely Tailored Conjugated Small Molecular Nanoparticles for Near-Infrared Biomedical Applications.

Near-infrared (NIR) phototheranostics (PTs) show higher tissue penetration depth, signal-to-noise ratio, and better biosafety than PTs in the ultraviolet and visible regions. However, their further advancement is severely hindered by poor performances and short-wavelength absorptions/emissions of PT agents. Among reported PT agents, conjugated small molecular nanoparticles (CSMNs) prepared from D-A-typed photoactive conjugated small molecules (CSMs) have greatly mediated this deadlock by their high photostability, distinct chemical structure, tunable absorption, intrinsic multifunctionality, and favorable biocompatibility, which endows CSMNs with more possibilities in biological applications.

Bladder Wash: A Proof of Concept as an Alternative Specimen for Postmortem Toxicology.

In postmortem forensic investigation cases where the bladder is voided or dehydrated prior to autopsy, it is possible to wash the bladder with saline and collect the 'bladder wash' and any residual urine for toxicological analysis. While not conventional, this study aims to determine the use of bladder washes as alternative specimens in postmortem forensic toxicology. Comprehensive drug and alcohol analysis was performed on blood, urine, vitreous humor and bladder wash samples.

Electrochemical Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide at High Concentrations Using Hastelloy G35 Electrode.

The detection of hydrogen peroxide (HO) at elevated concentrations while eliminating oxygen interference presents a significant challenge. Nickel-based stainless steel, such as Hastelloy G35, has shown excellent corrosion resistance. However, it has never been used in electroanalysis.

Municipal anaerobic filter effluent treatment using advanced oxidation processes for potential use in unrestricted crop production.

To meet wastewater treatment quality standards for reuse, integrating advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS) is promising. This study aimed to optimize AOPs (ozonolysis, UV photolysis, TiO photocatalysis) for polishing anaerobic filter (AF) effluent from DEWATS, as an alternative to constructed wetlands. Metrics included pathogen reduction efficiency, post-disinfection regrowth, and effects on physical parameters (pH, EC, turbidity), organic matter (soluble COD, BOD, DOC, humic), and nutrient concentration (ammonium, nitrates, ortho-P).

Geographic factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 prevalence during the first wave - 6 districts in Zambia, July 2020.

Background: Geographical factors can affect infectious disease transmission, including SARS-CoV-2, a virus that is spread through respiratory secretions. Prioritization of surveillance and response activities during a pandemic can be informed by a pathogen's geographical transmission patterns. We assessed the relationship between geographical factors and SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in Zambia.

Identification of Bronchial Epithelial Genes Associated with Type-2 Eosinophilic Inflammation in Asthma.

Background: Airway inflammation has a critical role in asthma pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Yet, the molecular pathways contributing to airway inflammation are not fully known, particularly Type-2 (T2) inflammation characterized by both eosinophilia and higher FeNO levels.

Objective: To identify genes whose level of expression in epithelial brushing samples were associated with both bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophilia and generation of FeNO.

Perceptual link between inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) stressors and common mental symptoms in Ethiopian health workers: A qualitative study.

Background: Despite the rising prevalence of common mental symptoms, information is scarce on how health workers make sense of symptoms of mental disorders and perceive a link with inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as work stressors to understand causation and produce useful knowledge for policy and professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how health workers perceive the link between inadequate WASH and common mental symptoms (CMSs) at hospitals in central and southern Ethiopian regions.

Methods: We used an interpretive and descriptive phenomenological design guided by theoretical frameworks.

The ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid to differentiate endometrial carcinoma from benign endometrial lesions: A preliminary, prospective, and multicenter clinical study.

Objective: To examine the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) for endometrial lesions.

Methods: In this prospective and multicenter study, data were collected from 84 patients with endometrial lesions from 11 hospitals in China. All the patients received a conventional US and Sonazoid-CEUS examination.