Nasopharyngeal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in a rural population, Sierra Leone.

Background: Nasopharyngeal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for subsequent infection. Isolates from colonization can therefore provide important information on virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance when data from clinical isolates are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess colonization rates, resistance patterns and selected virulence factors of S.

Enhancing the nutritional value of sorghum grains bred for northern Europe through processing: A perspective on phenolic bioaccessibility and protein digestibility.

The effect of dehulling and cooking on the in vitro digestibility, and phenolic profiles was evaluated for four Dutch sorghum varieties (HD7 and HD19, Sorghum bicolor; and HD100 and HD101 Sorghum nigricans) bred in the Netherlands. Protein content ranged from 9 to 14 % and grains with black pericarp were more resistant to dehulling. Essential amino acids composition analysis showed that the lysine chemical score (∼0.

Antireflux surgery - choosing the right candidate.

Introduction: Surgical gastric fundoplication is an effective treatment option for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In contrast to acid suppression, fundoplication nearly abolishes all types of reflux, acid and nonacid. However, in some cases lasting side effects of the procedure may overshadow its positive effects.

Comprehensive histopathological analysis of gastric cancer in European and Latin America populations reveals differences in PDL1, HER2, p53 and MUC6 expression.

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) burden is currently evolving with regional differences associated with complex behavioural, environmental, and genetic risk factors. The LEGACy study is a Horizon 2020-funded multi-institutional research project conducted prospectively to provide comprehensive data on the tumour biological characteristics of gastroesophageal cancer from European and LATAM countries.

Material And Methods: Treatment-naïve advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients were prospectively recruited in seven European and LATAM countries.

3D reconstruction of shoulder muscles in hominoid primates: Correlating scapular attachment areas with muscle volume.

Digital muscle reconstructions have gained attraction in recent years, serving as powerful tools in both educational and research contexts. These reconstructions can be derived from various 2D and 3D data sources, enabling detailed anatomical analyses. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of surface scans in accurately reconstructing the volumes of the rotator cuff and teres major muscles across a diverse sample of hominoids.

An ultrafast algorithm for ultrafast time-resolved coherent Raman spectroscopy.

Time-resolved coherent Raman spectroscopy (CRS) is a powerful non-linear optical technique for quantitative, in-situ analysis of chemically reacting flows, offering unparalleled accuracy and exceptional spatiotemporal resolution. Its application to large polyatomic molecules, crucial for understanding reaction dynamics, has thus far been limited by the complexity of their rotational-vibrational Raman spectra. Progress in developing comprehensive spectral codes for these molecules, a longstanding goal, has been hindered by prohibitively long computation times required for their spectral synthesis.

Quantitative risk assessment of rainstorm-induced flood disaster in Piedmont plain of Pakistan.

Pakistan's geographic location makes it an important land hub between Central Asia, Middle East-North Africa, and China. However, the railways, roads, farmland, riverways, and residential quarters in the Piedmont plains of Baluchistan province in northwestern Pakistan are under serious threat of flooding in the summer of 2022. The urgency and severity of climate change's impact on humanity are underscored by the significant threats posed to human life and property in Piedmont Plains environments through extreme flood events, which has garnered widespread concerns.

Intra-individual variability in ancient plasmodium DNA recovery highlights need for enhanced sampling.

Malaria has been a leading cause of death in human populations for centuries and remains a major public health challenge in African countries, especially affecting children. Among the five Plasmodium species infecting humans, Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal. Ancient DNA research has provided key insights into the origins, evolution, and virulence of pathogens that affect humans.

Oncolytic alphavirus-induced extracellular vesicles counteract the immunosuppressive effect of melanoma-derived extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs)-mediated communication by cancer cells contributes towards the pro-tumoral reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment. Viral infection has been observed to alter the biogenesis and cargo of EVs secreted from host cells in the context of infectious biology. However, the impact of oncolytic viruses on the cargo and function of EVs released by cancer cells remains unknown.

A genetic exploration of the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and cardiovascular diseases.

Experiencing a traumatic event may lead to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including symptoms such as flashbacks and hyperarousal. Individuals suffering from PTSD are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but it is unclear why. This study assesses shared genetic liability and potential causal pathways between PTSD and CVD.

The complexity of home-based rehabilitation technology implementation for post-stroke motor rehabilitation in the Netherlands.

Background: Rehabilitation technology is a growing field, but the sustainable implementation of these technologies, particularly in home settings, is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the uptake of stroke rehabilitation technology among various stakeholders, including developers, healthcare professionals, individuals who had strokes, strategic experts, management and innovation staff, health insurers, and the National Health Care Institute.

Methods: In total, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive stakeholder sample.

A lack of sexual autonomy is associated with increased loneliness in young mothers.

Background: Loneliness is a significant risk factor for both mental and physical health issues, including depression and increased mortality. Loneliness is reported at higher levels during life transitions, such as the transition to motherhood. Loneliness in mothers has far-reaching detrimental impacts on both mother and child, such as an increased risk of maternal depression and child abuse.

Factors influencing communication issues during hospital discharge for older adults in 11 high-income countries: a secondary analysis of the 2021 International Health Policy Survey.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hospital discharge communication problems with older adults, compare them across countries and determine factors associated with those problems.

Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data.

Setting: 2021 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy (IHP) Survey of Older Adults conducted across 11 high-income countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dutch Dentists on Oral Leukoplakia and Their Possible Role in Its Follow-Up.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Dutch dentists on oral leukoplakia (OL) and to what extent these aspects are related to whether or not dentists regularly monitor patients with OL.

Material And Methods: A self-developed questionnaire was distributed via a web survey among a sample of dentists participating in an intervision program. Of 1626 invited dentists, 437 (26.

Textbook outcome in liver surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: defining predictors of an optimal postoperative course using machine learning.

Background: We sought to define textbook outcome in liver surgery (TOLS) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) by considering the implications of perioperative outcomes on overall survival (OS).

Methods: Using a multi-institutional database, TOLS for ICC was defined by employing novel machine learning (ML) models to identify perioperative factors most strongly predictive of OS ≥ 12 months. Subsequently, clinicopathologic factors associated with achieving TOLS were investigated.

Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a heterogeneous disorder that is increasingly prevalent largely due to aging and obesity, resulting in a major disease burden worldwide. Knowledge about the underlying aetiology has improved, with increased understanding of the role of genetic factors, the microbiome, and existence of different pain mechanisms. However, this knowledge has not yet been translated into new treatment options.

Intranasal exposure to commensal bacterium Rothia mucilaginosa protects against influenza A virus infection.

The respiratory tract hosts a diverse microbial community whose composition varies with anatomical location and throughout life. Rothia mucilaginosa, a common commensal of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity, has recently been recognized for its ability to inhibit bacteria-triggered pro-inflammatory responses. However, its role in modulating the immune response to viral infections such as influenza A virus (IAV) pneumonia, remains unknown.

Fibrin film on clots is increased by haematocrit but reduced by inflammation: implications for platelets and fibrinolysis.

Background: Blood clot formation, triggered by vascular injury, is crucial for haemostasis and thrombosis. Blood clots are composed mainly of fibrin fibres, platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). Recent studies show that clot surface also develops a fibrin film, which provides protection against wound infection and retains components such as RBCs within the clot.

Defining the optimal radiation-induced lymphopenia metric to discern its survival impact in esophageal cancer.

Background: A detrimental association between radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) and oncologic outcomes in esophageal cancer patients has been established. However, an optimal metric for RIL remains undefined, but is important for application of this knowledge in clinical decision-making and trial designs. The aim of this study was to find the optimal RIL metric discerning survival.

Adoptive T cell therapy targeting an inducible and broadly shared product of aberrant mRNA translation.

Prolonged exposure to interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and the associated increased expression of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) create an intracellular shortage of tryptophan in the cancer cells, which stimulates ribosomal frameshifting and tryptophan to phenylalanine (W>F) codon reassignments during protein synthesis. Here, we investigated whether such neoepitopes can be useful targets of adoptive T cell therapy. Immunopeptidomic analyses uncovered hundreds of W>F neoepitopes mainly presented by the HLA-A24:02 allele.

Quality by Design in continuous bioprocessing: Investigating the impact of critical process parameters of multi-column chromatography during steady-state and transient phases.

Given the complexities of continuous bioprocessing, it is critical to thoroughly investigate the process parameters unique to multi-column chromatography (MCC) and their potential impacts. However, existing studies have focused on either loading densities or residence time at steady states only, and their combined impact on critical quality attributes (CQAs) especially during transient phases were less known. In this study, we investigated the impact of critical process parameters during both steady-state and transient phases (start-up, close-down, and intermediate perturbation) through full factorial design.

Continuity of care as central theme in perinatal care: A systematic review.

Problem: The global shortage of nurses is straining perinatal care, disrupting continuity of care and negatively affecting patient outcomes.

Background: Continuity of care is essential in perinatal care, where the complexity of maternal and infant needs requires coordinated care across the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods.

Aim: To provide an overview of the current literature on continuity of care in the interprofessional perinatal care from the perspective of nursing.