WHO public health laboratories webinar series - an online platform to disseminate testing recommendations and best practices during health emergencies.

Laboratories play a central role in managing public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unique challenges on global laboratory systems, including testing protocol uncertainties, supply shortages, rapid need for information dissemination, and disruptions to traditional training methods. In response, the WHO established the Public Health Laboratories (PHL) knowledge sharing webinar series whose goals were to respond to the increased demand in up-to-date and reliable information, which WHO is in a unique position to provide.

Melioidosis - An under-recognized dreaded disease in Southeast Asia.

Melioidosis is a disease endemic to India but often goes unrecognized, leading to considerable illness and death. We present the case of a 31-year-old man who had a fever of unknown origin, abnormal renal and liver function tests, and negative tests for dengue, typhoid, leptospirosis, and scrub typhus. Imaging revealed multiple splenic infarcts.

Searching for the unexpected - understanding information-seeking behaviours of people new to prison visits.

Often, when an offender is sentenced their family and friends find themselves in a state of uncertainty. At this point, family and friends of prisoners need support and often find themselves alone to navigate and learn the correctional system to gain visitation approval. It is unknown how people new to visitation learns the rules and processes of prison visits to gain visitation access.

Effect of botanical powders and the assassin bug, Mont. and Sign. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) against Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) infesting yam chips.

Background: Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is the main pest of stored dried yam chips that causes significant losses in less than 3 months. The assassin bug, (Montrouzier & Signoret) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and the African mahogany ( (Desv.) A.

Surgical management of benign tumors of the parotid gland: the advantages of extracapsular dissection compared to traditional surgical techniques.

Introduction: Salivary gland tumors represent only 3%-6% of all head and neck neoplasms, and approximately 70% of these tumors are located in the parotid gland. Most of these tumors are found in the more abundant superficial portion of the parotid gland, lateral to the facial nerve (FN). For many years, the location of the facial nerve between the superficial and deep segments of the parotid gland hindered adequate tumor extirpation.

Case Report: First use of dental bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate composite without UV light polymerization for repair of iatrogenic CSF leak following a frontal craniotomy plus tumor resection.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) without UV light polymerization for the repair of refractory iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks with large skull base defects.

Background: CSF leakage remains a common complication after neurosurgical interventions with a substantial resultant impact on morbidity and increased healthcare costs. The management of refractory CSF leaks with large skull base defects remains challenging.

Underutilization of coper/non-coper screening in anterior cruciate ligament injuries management in Italy: an online survey.

Introduction: Total and sub-total lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are one of the most frequent and performance-limiting injuries to the knee joint within the active population. Early surgical management, often regarded as the primary management strategy, has recently been shown to have similar outcomes when compared with an initial rehabilitative approach followed by surgical ACL reconstruction if higher levels of functionality are needed. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the physiotherapists and orthopedic surgeons' "coper/non-coper" screening application in the clinical management of the patient after ACL injury.

The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Emergency Department Staff to Preparedness of Disaster and Emergency in Saudi Arabia: Multicenter Cross-sectional Study.

Aim: Disasters worldwide are increasing, impacting millions annually. In Saudi Arabia, disaster planning is crucial for emergency department (ED) staff, who must be trained in disaster management plans and operational strategies to handle disasters such as epidemics and Hajj overcrowding.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study targeting ED staff in 92 hospitals all over Saudi Arabia.

Enhancing Disaster Preparedness.

Bajan K. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(11):995-996.

Developing a codesigned text message-based digital oral health education resource (TOOTH).

Objective: Digital health technologies offer a more equitable way of providing access to health education. This study engaged consumers and clinicians from two Australian regions with a high burden of oral disease to develop a digital oral health resource called "TOOTH" tailored for adults.

Methods: A total of three focus groups (one clinician and two consumers) were conducted to identify themes that were used to draft text message content.

Fungal positivity seen in tertiary care hospital during COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been prevailing for more than a year, associated with an increased number of opportunistic invasive fungal infections in patients who have been critically ill or immunocompromised. In this retrospective study, details of various clinical specimens received from suspected patients of fungal infections were studied. Fungal cultures were positive in 64% (51 out of 79) of COVID-19-positive patients and 43% (163 out of 381) of COVID-19-negative patients during the second wave of COVID-19 in 2021.

Tracing microbial community across endophyte-to-saprotroph continuum of (L.) Presl leaves considering priority effect of endophyte on litter decomposition.

Endophytes typically coexist with plants in symbiosis and transition into the saprobic system as plant tissues senesce, participating in the decomposition process of litter. However, the dynamic changes of endophytic communities during this process and their role in litter decomposition remain unclear. This study tracked the microbial composition across the transition from live leaves to litter in (L.

CRISPR/Cas12a-based method coupled with isothermal amplification to identify spp. isolated from wheat grain samples.

fungal species are considered major plant pathogens, infecting various crops and resulting in significant agricultural losses. Additionally, these species can contaminate grain with multiple mycotoxins that are harmful to humans and animals. Efficient pest management relies on timely detection and identification of phytopathogens in plant and grain samples, facilitating prompt selection of a crop protection strategy.

Radioactive Iodine Therapy in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Summary of the Korean Thyroid Association Guidelines 2024 from Nuclear Medicine Perspective, Part-II.

Thyroid cancer, one of the most common endocrine tumors, generally has a favorable prognosis but remains a significant medical and societal concern due to its high incidence. Early diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) significantly affect long-term outcomes, requiring the selection and application of appropriate initial treatments to improve prognosis and quality of life. Recent advances in technology and health information systems have enhanced our understanding of the molecular genetics of thyroid cancer, facilitating the identification of aggressive subgroups and enabling the accumulation of research on risk factors through big data.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Summary of the Korean Thyroid Association Guidelines 2024 from Nuclear Medicine Perspective, Part-I.

Thyroid cancer, one of the most common endocrine tumors, generally has a favorable prognosis but remains a significant medical and societal concern due to its high incidence. Early diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) significantly affect long-term outcomes, requiring the selection and application of appropriate initial treatments to improve prognosis and quality of life. Recent advances in technology and health information systems have enhanced our understanding of the molecular genetics of thyroid cancer, facilitating the identification of aggressive subgroups and enabling the accumulation of research on risk factors through big data.

F-FDG PET/CT in Inflammation and Infection: Procedural Guideline by the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Abstract: This guideline outlines the use of F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases. It provides detailed recommendations for healthcare providers on patient preparation, imaging procedures, and the interpretation of results. Adapted from international standards and tailored to local clinical practices, the guideline emphasizes safety, quality control, and effective use of the technology in various conditions, including spinal infections, diabetic foot, osteomyelitis, vasculitis, and cardiac inflammation.

F-FDOPA PET/CT in Oncology: Procedural Guideline by the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine.

This guideline outlines the use of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-F-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, and other tumorous conditions. It provides detailed recommendations on patient preparation, imaging procedures, and result interpretation. Based on international standards and adapted to local clinical practices, the guideline emphasizes safety, quality control, and the effective application of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-F-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography / computed tomography for various tumors such as insulinomas, pheochromocytomas, and medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Impact of Initial Heart Rate, Diastolic Pressure, and Pulse Pressure on Prognostic Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients with Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Heart rate, diastolic pressure, and pulse pressure are key modifiable factors influencing heart failure prognosis. While heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) is a distinct subgroup of heart failure, the prognostic impact of these hemodynamic parameters in this population remains unclear, necessitating focused investigation. This study aims to elucidate their effects on HFmrEF patient outcomes.

How does the medicines retail sector ensure continued access to medicines during public health emergencies? Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Background: The medicines retail sector (MRS) enables access to life-saving health commodities. Despite efforts to harness this market for public health goals, in low- and middle-income countries it is rarely incorporated into pandemic preparedness. This paper analyses the role of the MRS in the response to COVID-19 in Uganda, the extent to which it was incorporated into national planning and in the continuity of essential services.

Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Tumorigenic Capability in Cervical Cancer Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Purpose: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Furthermore, owing to its significant risk of recurrence or metastasis, the overall prognosis of patients with cervical cancer remains poor. Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) plays a crucial role in cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis, and has been implicated in the progression of various types of cancer.

Mechanical Considerations and Clinical Implications of Joint Arthroplasty Metallosis.

The treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) often requires total joint arthroplasty (TJA) when less invasive approaches fail. The annual incidence of TJA is rising. Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip and knee implants were widely used for TJA in the past, but complications have led to their decline.

A High Index of Awareness About the Inherent Complications of Thoracic Segmental Spinal Anesthesia: A Case of Mastectomy With Bronchiectasis Under Thoracic Segmental Spinal Anesthesia.

General anesthesia is the gold standard for breast cancer surgeries. Considering the nature of the surgery and its associated pain, various regional techniques are used as an adjunct to general anesthesia. Regional anesthesia as a sole anesthetic technique for breast cancer surgery is an upcoming technique - especially in high-risk patients considering the risk-benefit ratio, various regional blocks like pectoralis major block, pectoralis minor block, and erector spinae block - in which thoracic segmental spinal anesthesia is the recent one.

Healing the Open Apex: A Case Report on Innovative Apexogenesis of a Maxillary Molar Using Bio-C Repair.

Preserving pulp vitality in developing permanent teeth is paramount. This approach facilitates continued root formation, ultimately leading to apical closure, enhanced root strength, and improved overall tooth integrity. This case report details the management of a 17-year-old female patient presenting with dental caries on the right permanent maxillary molar.

Cocoa Seeds as a Phytobezoar Causing Intestinal Obstruction in a Ghanaian Child: A Case Report.

Phytobezoars are indigestible organic matter that forms organized masses in the gastrointestinal tract. Seeds reported causing bezoars include sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds, and wild banana seeds. Cocoa seeds causing bezoar have not been reported.

A Case of Subungual Exostosis Mimicking Verruca Vulgaris.

Subungual exostosis is a benign bone tumor causing nail deformities and possibly pain for the patient. Etiology includes trauma, infection, and activation of a cartilaginous cyst, more commonly seen in adult patients. Here, we present a case of subungual exostosis in a pediatric patient that initially mimicked subungual verruca vulgaris.