Single-Step Universal First-Trimester Cytomegalovirus Screening and Valacyclovir Prophylaxis in Pregnancy: A Cost-Utility Analysis in a High Seroprevalence Setting.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first trimester single-step universal cytomegalovirus (CMV) serological screening with valacyclovir as vertical transmission prophylaxis versus routine ultrasound-directed testing.

Methods: A payer perspective cost-utility analysis was conducted on a hypothetical population of 100,000 pregnant women for a time horizon of 9 month of full-term pregnancy and the lifetime of children. Using a decision-tree and Markov model, we assessed quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained by preventing congenital CMV (cCMV) sequelae against the costs of universal screening and valacyclovir prophylaxis.

Sensitizing solid tumors to CAR-mediated cytotoxicity by lipid nanoparticle delivery of synthetic antigens.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy relies on CAR targeting of tumor-associated antigens; however, heterogenous antigen expression, interpatient variation and off-tumor expression by healthy cells remain barriers. Here we develop synthetic antigens to sensitize solid tumors for recognition and elimination by CAR T cells. Unlike tumor-associated antigens, we design synthetic antigens that are orthogonal to endogenous proteins to eliminate off-tumor targeting and that have a small genetic footprint to facilitate efficient tumor delivery to tumors by lipid nanoparticles.

Temporal trends of the utilization patterns of sedative-hypnotic medications in children, adolescents and young adults: a 21-year population-based study with joinpoint regression analysis.

Background: There is limited research on real-world utilization patterns of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (collectively-termed benzodiazepine-receptor agonists [BZRAs]) in children and adolescents, particularly in non-western countries. We aimed to examine temporal trends of BZRA prescribing-practice among children, adolescents and young adults in Hong Kong over a 21-year period.

Methods: This population-based study identified 60,660 individuals aged 4-24 years who had redeemed ≥ 1 BZRA prescription within 2000-2020, using data from medical-record database of Hong Kong public-healthcare-services.

Mobile health applications for older people in Asia: protocol for a systematic review of end-user perceptions and recommendations.

Introduction: Mobile technology has revolutionised the way people interact with others and gain access to healthcare services. Given that cultural background is a strong moderator for technology penetration, this systematic review aims to examine end-user perceptions and design recommendations for mobile health applications among Asian older people.

Methods And Analysis: Five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) will be searched until May 2025.

A brief alcohol intervention during smoking cessation treatment in daily cigarette smokers: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Alcohol use attenuates successful smoking cessation. We examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a brief alcohol intervention in smokers. In this two-arm, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial, we randomized 100 daily smokers (82.

Brief Magnetic Field Exposure Stimulates Doxorubicin Uptake into Breast Cancer Cells in Association with TRPC1 Expression: A Precision Oncology Methodology to Enhance Chemotherapeutic Outcome.

: Doxorubicin (DOX) is commonly used as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer. Nonetheless, its systemic delivery via intravenous injection and toxicity towards healthy tissues commonly result in a broad range of detrimental side effects. Breast cancer severity was previously shown to be correlated with TRPC1 channel expression that conferred upon it enhanced vulnerability to pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy.

Antigen-specific T cell immunotherapy by in vivo mRNA delivery.

Immunotherapy has shown promise for treating patients with autoimmune diseases or cancer, yet treatment is associated with adverse effects associated with global activation or suppression of T cell immunity. Here, we developed antigen-presenting nanoparticles (APNs) to selectively engineer disease antigen (Ag)-specific T cells by mRNA delivery. APNs consist of a lipid nanoparticle core functionalized with peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs), facilitating antigen-specific T cell transfection through cognate T cell receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Enzymatic Production of Trehalose and Trehalulose by Immobilized Thermostable Trehalose Synthase.

Trehalose, a versatile disaccharide renowned for its unique physical and chemical properties, finds extensive application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. While conventional extraction methods face challenges, enzymatic conversion offers a promising avenue for the industrial production of trehalose. This study delves into a novel synthetic approach utilizing a recombinant enzyme, merging the thermostable trehalose synthase domain from with a cellulose binding domain.

Effectiveness of mobile smoking cessation treatment with 1-week nicotine replacement therapy sampling at outdoor smoking hotspots: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of mobile smoking cessation (SC) treatment with 1-week nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) sampling on recruitment and quitting outcomes.

Design: Two-arm cluster RCT (1:1 ratio), single-blinded, at 244 recruitment sessions in Hong Kong outdoor smoking hotspots from October 2018-December 2019.

Setting: Participant were recruited by ambassadors and treated at the mobile SC truck.

Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and prenatal antipsychotic use: a meta-analysis of 37,214,330 pregnancy deliveries and propensity-score weighted population-based cohort study assessing confounder dependency of risk estimates.

Studies demonstrated increased obstetric and neonatal complications in women with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (SSD), but most inadequately addressed confounders and rarely considered antipsychotic effects. We conducted a meta-analysis and a population-based cohort study evaluating associations of adverse obstetric/neonatal outcomes with SSD and prenatal antipsychotic use. In the meta-analysis, we searched four databases from inception to October-31-2023 and generated pooled risk estimates using random-effect models.

Stress induced factor 2 is a dual regulator for defense and seed germination in Arabidopsis.

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) constitute a diverse superfamily of proteins pivotal for various plant physiological processes, including responses to pathogens, hormone perception, growth, and development. Their ability to recognize conserved epitopes for general elicitors and specific pathogens marked significant advancements in plant pathology research. Emerging evidence suggests that RLKs and associated components also act as modulators in hormone signaling and cellular trafficking, showcasing their multifunctional roles in growth and development.

In vivo gene delivery to immune cells.

Immune cell therapies are an emerging class of living drugs that rely on the delivery of therapeutic transgenes to enhance, modulate, or restore cell function, such as those that encode for tumor-targeting receptors or replacement proteins. However, many cellular immunotherapies are autologous treatments that are limited by high manufacturing costs, typical vein-to-vein time of 3-4 weeks, and severe immune-related adverse effects. To address these issues, different classes of gene delivery vehicles are being developed to target specific immune cell subsets in vivo to address the limitations of ex vivo manufacturing, modulate therapeutic responses in situ, and reduce on- and off-target toxicity.

Slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis: A systematic review.

Introduction: Slide tracheoplasty has become the gold standard surgery for congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS). This condition is rare and the surgery can be challenging and is performed by experienced surgeons in tertiary centers. A few reports involving relatively small cohorts have been published.

Developing a production workflow for 3D-printed temporal bone surgical simulators.

Introduction: 3D-printed temporal bone models enable the training and rehearsal of complex otological procedures. To date, there has been no consolidation of the literature regarding the developmental process of 3D-printed temporal bone models. A brief review of the current literature shows that many of the key surgical landmarks of the temporal bone are poorly represented in models.

From trade-off to synergy: microbial insights into enhancing plant growth and immunity.

The reduction in crop yield caused by pathogens and pests presents a significant challenge to global food security. Genetic engineering, which aims to bolster plant defence mechanisms, emerges as a cost-effective solution for disease control. However, this approach often incurs a growth penalty, known as the growth-defence trade-off.

Acceptability of self-collected vaginal samples for human papillomavirus testing for primary cervical cancer screening: comparison of face-to-face and online recruitment modes.

Background: This study aimed to assess the acceptability and attitudes of women towards human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling and compare the effectiveness of two delivery modes utilising face-to-face and online website for cervical cancer screening in Hong Kong.

Methods: Women aged 30-65 years were invited to participate by distributing the study information pamphlets at the specialist clinics of a regional acute hospital. Those who were interested in participating were given the option to join directly face-to-face or through an online website.

International pediatric otolaryngology group (IPOG) consensus on approach to aspiration.

Objective: To provide recommendations for a comprehensive management approach for infants and children presenting with symptoms or signs of aspiration.

Methods: Three rounds of surveys were sent to authors from 23 institutions worldwide. The threshold for the critical level of agreement among respondents was set at 80 %.

A Role for Two-Pore Channel Type 2 (TPC2)-Mediated Regulation of Membrane Contact Sites During Zebrafish Notochord Biogenesis?

We have previously shown that in the developing trunk of zebrafish embryos, two-pore channel type 2 (TPC2)-mediated Ca release from endolysosomes plays a role in the formation of the skeletal slow muscle. In addition, TPC2-mediated Ca signaling is required for axon extension and the establishment of synchronized activity in the primary motor neurons. Here, we report that TPC2 might also play a role in the development of the notochord of zebrafish embryos.

Machine learning-based prediction of COVID-19 mortality using immunological and metabolic biomarkers.

Unlabelled: COVID-19 has become a major global public health problem, despite prevention and efforts. The daily number of COVID-19 cases rapidly increases, and the time and financial costs associated with testing procedure are burdensome.  To overcome this, we aim to identify immunological and metabolic biomarkers to predict COVID-19 mortality using a machine learning model.

Rates and correlates of medication non-adherence behaviors and attitudes in adult patients with early psychosis.

Purpose: Literature on antipsychotic medication adherence in early psychosis primarily assessed adherence behaviors and focused on young patients. There is a paucity of research investigating negative medication attitude and its determinants in the early illness course, particularly in older-aged sample. We aimed to examine prevalence and correlates of medication non-adherence behaviors and negative medication attitudes separately in adult patients with early psychosis.

Multi-Level Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Ischaemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Blood biomarkers hold potential for the early diagnosis of ischaemic stroke (IS). We aimed to evaluate the current weight of evidence and identify potential biomarkers and biological pathways for further investigation. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science, used R package meta4diag for diagnostic meta-analysis and applied Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to identify vital biological processes (BPs).

Otologic safety of intratympanic N-acetylcysteine in an animal model.

Objective: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an anti-oxidant and mucolytic effective against bacterial biofilms, making it useful in the treatment of chronically discharging ears that are unresponsive to traditional treatment methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the otologic safety of intratympanic NAC combined with Ciprodex® in an animal model.

Methods: Baseline distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements were performed for both ears on thirteen guinea pigs from the animal care research facilities of the McGill University Health Center.