Development of a simplified platelet cryopreservation method: An in vitro investigation of reducing the DMSO concentration to allow administration without its pre-transfusion removal.

Background And Objectives: The most widely used method of platelet cryopreservation requires the addition of 5%-6% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), followed by its pre-freeze removal via centrifugation, to minimize toxicity. However, this adds complexity to the pre-freeze and post-thaw processing. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to simplify platelet cryopreservation by reducing the DMSO concentration and omitting the requirement for pre-transfusion removal.

Influence of C/N ratio & double helical ribbon (DHR) impeller on microbial granulation in anaerobic co-digestion (AnCo-D) of industrial effluents.

The present study demonstrates the significance of the C/N ratio and double helical ribbon (DHR) impeller in the anaerobic co-digestion (AnCo-D) of sugar refining process (SRP) effluent and molasses-based distillery spent wash (DSW) for improved biogas production. Both SRP & DSW were mixed in different percentages to achieve an optimum C/N ratio. Further biomethane potential analysis of mixed feeds with different C/N ratios was performed.

Prevalence, intensity and risk factors of soil-transmitted helminthiasis after five effective rounds of preventive chemotherapy across three implementation units in Ondo State, Nigeria.

Background: Routine epidemiological data are essential for monitoring the effectiveness of preventive chemotherapy (PC), optimizing resource allocation, and addressing the evolving needs in the elimination of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH). This study assesses the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of STH following five rounds of albendazole-based PC in three implementation units (IUs) in Ondo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Fresh stool samples were collected from 2,093 children aged 5-14 years across 45 systematically selected schools in three IUs: Ese-Odo, Irele, and Ile-Oluji.

Protein Phosphatase 2A Promotes CD8 T Cell Effector Function through the Augmentation of CD28 Costimulation.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is one of the most abundant serine/threonine phosphatases and plays critical roles in regulating cell fate and function. We previously showed that PP2A regulates the differentiation of CD4 T cells and the development of thymocytes. Nevertheless, its role in CD8 T cells remains elusive.

Enhanced Tolerability and Improved Outcomes in Acne Management: A Real-World Study of Dermocosmetic Adjunctive Therapy.

Background: Topical retinoids, while renowned for their efficacy in treating acne vulgaris, are often hampered by inter-individual variability in tolerability. This challenge, primarily driven by side effects like erythema, scaling, and dryness, significantly impacts patient adherence and, ultimately, treatment outcomes.

Aims: This prospective, multi-center, observational study investigated the novel role of a specific dermocosmetic regimen as adjunctive therapy, focusing on its ability to mitigate retinoid-induced side effects and enhance the overall tolerability of acne treatment regimens in a Korean population.

A comparison of immersion-based and spray-based crate washing systems on the impact of spp. reduction.

1.During transport of broilers from farms to slaughterhouses, the interior of crates may become contaminated with faeces. When these crates are not cleaned and disinfected adequately, they pose a potential risk for the dissemination of pathogens, including spp.

Exploring the potential of machine learning models to predict nasal measurements through facial landmarks.

Statement Of Problem: Information on predicting the measurements of the nose from selected facial landmarks to assist in maxillofacial prosthodontics is lacking.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the efficiency of machine learning models in predicting the length and width of the nose from selected facial landmarks.

Material And Methods: Two-dimensional frontal and lateral photographs were made of 100 men and 100 women.

Microscopic investigation of pollen attachment on different fabric types: Implications for forensic and allergy research.

Pollen grains, in addition to their allergenic properties, play an important role in the temporal and spatial analysis of forensic events and are considered secondary trace evidence. Pollen analysis requires expertise in microscopy techniques and palynology. This study aims to determine the persistence of pollen on common used fabric types and how much of it can be removed through washing.

Added Value of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Analysis for Differential Diagnosis of Small (≤20 mm) Solid Pancreatic Lesions.

Objective: To evaluate the added value of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) analysis in pre-operative differential diagnosis of small (≤20 mm) solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs).

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with biopsy or surgerical resection and histopathologically confirmed small (≤20 mm) SPLs were included. One wk before biopsy/surgery, pre-operative B-mode ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed.

Lower pain, less itching, and faster healing after ultrasound scalpel-assisted hemorrhoidectomy using an intimate cleaner containing chlorhexidine, acid hyaluronic acid, and natural anti-inflammatories: a multicenter observational case-control study.

Purpose: Postoperative pain is a major concern for patients undergoing ultrasound scalpel-assisted hemorrhoidectomy, potentially exacerbated by delayed wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an intimate cleansing gel containing chlorhexidine, hyaluronic acid, and other anti-inflammatory agents (Antroclean Fisioderm) on postoperative pain, itching, and wound healing in patients who had undergone this procedure.

Methods: This multicenter observational case-control study involved a cohort of consecutive adult patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy using an ultrasound device.

Ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computer tomography features of hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma and hepatic sarcoma: a retrospective study of 23 cases.

Background: Hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma (HSC) and hepatic sarcoma (HS) are rare malignancies. Without pathology, the differential diagnosis between these two tumors is difficult due to their frequent overlaps in clinical presentations and imaging features. Currently, there are limited analyses about the ultrasound (US), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CECT) characteristics of HSC and HS.

Impact of trachoma elimination efforts in afar regional state, Ethiopia: survey findings from 26 evaluation units.

Background: Following interventions to eliminate trachoma in the Afar region of Ethiopia, our goal was to reassess the prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) at the woreda level, and to identify factors associated with the disease.

Methods: Cross-sectional community-based surveys were conducted in 26 trachoma-endemic woredas, employing a standardized approach. Households were selected as the secondary sampling unit.

Washing with buffered vitamin C after corrosive chemical (sodium hypochlorite) exposure reduces ocular depth of injury.

Chemical eye injuries occur in home, industrial, and military settings. The standard recommended treatment after exposure of the eyes to chemical toxins is washing with tap water for at least 15 min. An estimated 80 % of ocular toxins are associated with reactive oxygen species and/or extreme pH.

Improvement of cellular pattern organization and clarity through centrifugal force.

Rapid and strategic cell placement is necessary for high throughput tissue fabrication. Current adhesive cell patterning systems rely on fluidic shear flow to remove cells outside of the patterned regions, but limitations in washing complexity and uniformity prevent adhesive patterns from being widely applied. Centrifugation is commonly used to study the adhesive strength of cells to various substrates; however, the approach has not been applied to selective cell adhesion systems to create highly organized cell patterns.

Effects of ketamine and propofol on muscarinic plateau potentials in rat neocortical pyramidal cells.

Propofol and ketamine are widely used general anaesthetics, but have different effects on consciousness: propofol gives a deeply unconscious state, with little or no dream reports, whereas vivid dreams are often reported after ketamine anaesthesia. Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, while propofol is a γ-aminobutyric-acid (GABAA) receptor positive allosteric modulator, but these mechanisms do not fully explain how these drugs alter consciousness. Most previous in vitro studies of cellular mechanisms of anaesthetics have used brain slices or neurons in a nearly "comatose" state, because no "arousing" neuromodulators were added.

Opioid Hair Concentrations Using Retrospective Prescription Data From a United States Workplace Testing Population.

Opioids are widely prescribed pain medications that have the potential for misuse and abuse. As part of a routine procedure, our laboratory frequently encounters questions from clients/Medical Review Officers (MROs) regarding opioid hair concentrations in relation to the amount of opioid taken as part of a prescription. In this manuscript, we have analyzed a large number of real-world examples of opioid hair concentrations following self-reported consumption of an opioid prescription regimen.

Image-Based Phenotypic Profiling Enables Rapid and Accurate Assessment of EGFR-Activating Mutations in Tissues from Lung Cancer Patients.

Determining mutations in the kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is critical for the effectiveness of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in lung cancer. Yet, DNA-based sequencing analysis of tumor samples is time-consuming and only provides gene mutation information on EGFR, making it challenging to design effective EGFR-TKI therapeutic strategies. Here, we present a new image-based method involving the rational design of a quenched probe based on EGFR-TKI to identify mutant proteins, which permits specific and "no-wash" real-time imaging of EGFR in living cells only upon covalent targeting of the EGFR kinase.

Assessment of the internal connection of an angled screw channel system.

Statement Of Problem: The angled screw channel (ASC) design has been well accepted for implant prostheses. However, investigation into the behavior of the ASC connection is sparse.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of cyclic loading on the internal connection of an ASC system compared with straight access systems by measuring reverse torque values (RTVs) and using microcomputed tomography (µCT) imaging.

Profiling endogenous airway proteases and antiproteases and modeling proteolytic activation of Influenza HA using in vitro and ex vivo human airway surface liquid samples.

Imbalance of airway proteases and antiproteases has been implicated in diseases such as COPD and environmental exposures including cigarette smoke and ozone. To initiate infection, endogenous proteases are commandeered by respiratory viruses upon encountering the airway epithelium. The airway proteolytic environment likely contains redundant antiproteases and proteases with diverse catalytic mechanisms, however a proteomic profile of these enzymes and inhibitors in airway samples has not been reported.

Maternal Knowledge and Practice during Postnatal Period Regarding Newborn Care at Hospital Setting.

Care of newborn is traditionally provided by mothers. Maternal knowledge and practice of newborn care can significantly affect neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is convincing concern to explore knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care.

Modification of cotton gauze using Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) and assessment of the chemical and antimicrobial properties.

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a tropical grass found in all tropical and subtropical areas. It is widely found in Bangladesh and well known for its antimicrobial properties. Cotton gauze is a woven cloth which is used for wound dressing and wound cushioning.

The effects of chicken hydrolyzed proteins in extruded diets on plasma and fecal metabolic profiles in adult dogs.

Research has shown various hydrolyzed proteins possessed beneficial physiological functions; however, the mechanism of how hydrolysates influence metabolism is unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the effects of different sources of protein hydrolysates, being the main dietary protein source in extruded diets, on metabolism in healthy adult dogs. Three complete and balanced extruded canine diets were formulated: control chicken meal diet (CONd), chicken liver and heart hydrolysate diet (CLHd), mechanically separated chicken hydrolysate diet (CHd).

The impact of an integrated intervention program combining drug therapy with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education on reinfection with intestinal parasitic infections among the Karen hill tribe in northern Thailand.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major health problem among the Karen hill tribe in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an integrated intervention program of drug therapy combined with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education on reinfection with IPIs among the Karen hill tribe in an endemic area of northern Thailand.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in two Karen villages, involving 691 residents, in Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province; one village was designated as the intervention group and the other as the control group.

Pharmacist perceptions of motivation and well-being using Self-Determination Theory: A qualitative study.

Background: Many US hospitals and health systems have implemented well-being programs to address the clinician well-being and burnout crisis. Most community pharmacists experience at least one symptom of burnout, yet they have been overlooked for inclusion in well-being initiatives.

Objective: To explore community pharmacists' perceptions of how motivation and burnout impact patient care and how fulfillment of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) impacts motivation and well-being.