Marine-derived sulfated glycans display a potent virostatic mechanism to block herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) entry and spread.

A naturally derived library of glycomimetic mimicking the structure-function of heparan sulfate (HS) remains an untapped reservoir for drug discovery against viral infections. In this work we screened a library of marine-derived sulfated glycans from seaweeds and sea cucumbers to investigate if they can compete for the ligand/receptor binding sites to prevent virus entry. Multiple promising candidates were identified, such as RPI-27 (IC: 1.

Unique Anatomical Variations of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve.

This case study focuses on the atypical nerve contributions and branching patterns of the lumbar plexus in two human body donors at Midwestern University. It discusses their implications for pathology and surgical outcomes. Variations were identified in the anterior rami contributions and branching patterns of the lumbar plexus in both donors, predominantly in the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN).

Radiometric and safety assessment of a 'low-level red-light' myopia control device.

Purpose: Recent literature has demonstrated that 'low-level red-light therapy' may be effective at slowing axial elongation in children, but reports have questioned the safety of some red-light devices. The current work explored the beam characteristics and hazard potential for a myopia control red-light device.

Methods: The optical design and exiting beam characteristics of a sample red-light myopia control device (SECONEE sky-n1201a) were quantified by measuring beam divergence and total flux passing through artificial pupils of 1-9 mm diameter placed at the corneal plane.

Case Report: Multi-cancer early detection utilizing blood-based genomics: Single-institution case series of novel cancer screening.

Purpose/objectives: Cancer screening continues to be a major challenge, with reliable tests only being available for very few cancers. Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) genomic tests are being developed that allow for blood-based screening of multiple cancers simultaneously. The PATHFINDER study was a multi-institution prospective cohort study in healthy participants over the age of 50 years (no cancer history, or history of treated cancer > 3 years prior), investigating the feasibility of the Galleri (GRAIL, LLC) cfDNA methylation MCED blood test.

Content Validity Assessment of a Virtual Patient-Based Learning Platform for TMD Education among Orofacial Pain Experts.

Introduction: To compensate for inadequate clinical exposure to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among dental students during predoctoral training, a virtual patient-based learning (VPBL) platform was developed for integration into the TMD predoctoral curriculum. This study tested the VPBL's content validity among 10 orofacial pain (OFP) experts responsible for TMD education at U.S.

Age-specific outcomes after transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion with the watchman device.

Background: Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become a suitable alternative to anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, outcomes among patients age > 75 years undergoing LAAO are lacking.

Methods: We included 723 consecutive patients with AF undergoing LAAO from August 2015 to March 2020.

Apoptosis and Brain Dervived Neurotrophic Factor are increased in cortical neurons of Marfan Syndrome mice.

Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that affects connective tissue throughout the body due to mutations in the fibrillin-1 ( gene. There is a gap in our understanding of the impact of monogenic connective tissue aberrations on the brain. This study aimed to determine the impact of MFS on neurodegeneration in the cortical brain tissue of mice.

Enhancing Local Dental Anesthesia Education With Anesthesia Manikins: A Study on Second-Year Dental Students.

Purpose: Administering local anesthesia is a critical skill in dentistry, requiring both theoretical knowledge and hands-on proficiency. Traditional instruction typically involves lectures and peer-based practice. However, concerns over ethical and medical complications have spurred the development of alternative training methods.

Balancing professional responsibilities and personal well-being through the lens of professional identity formation in academic pharmacy.

Self-care and pharmacist burnout have been at the forefront of pharmacy workforce issues over the last decade and beyond, not precluding academic pharmacists. The academy has concurrently advocated for the well-being of academicians and learners alike while embracing professional identity formation (PIF) as a central tenet of what it means to be a pharmacist. PIF involves a multi-faceted process where individuals learn and change by adopting core knowledge, skills, values and beliefs of a specific profession resulting in the individual thinking, behaving and feeling like a member of that profession.

Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Case Series: Secondary Stroke Prevention in Older People.

This case highlights the pharmacist's role in the outpatient management of an older patient with complex cardiovascular conditions following a stroke. The patient lives in the community and is seen in a pharmacist-run clinic for chronic disease state management. The focus is on secondary stroke prevention through lifestyle modifications and optimization of comorbid conditions, including smoking cessation, antithrombotic therapy, and management of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.

Under Pressure: The Intricacies of Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Exotic Animals.

This article explores the complexities of blood pressure regulation and measurement across animal species. It begins by outlining mammalian blood pressure physiology before examining known differences in birds and reptiles. The article highlights species-specific variations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, baroreceptor pathways, and hormonal influences on vascular tone and fluid balance.

White-Tailed Deer Prion Protein Gene Variability Suggests Selection Against Chronic Wasting Disease in Canada's Prairies.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that targets cervids, has become a significant threat to both free-ranging and captive populations of Canadian white-tailed deer. In an effort to mitigate its spread, research in the past 20 years has demonstrated that the genetic background of deer may influence the pathogenesis of CWD. Specifically, variants located on the 95-, 96-, 116- and 226-codon of the prion protein gene seem to attenuate disease progression in white-tailed deer.

Modulation of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels from Sensory Neurons by Isoeugenol.

Isoeugenol is a phenylpropanoid that is commonly found in essential oils and has been commonly used as a flavoring agent in the culinary field and an anesthetic in fish. Yet despite its similarity to well-known eugenol, there is a lack of data regarding how isoeugenol would directly modulate neuronal excitability to interfere with pain signaling. Here, we studied the effects of isoeugenol on voltage-activated Na currents (I) as a means of starting to close the gap regarding the inhibitory properties of isoeugenol on neuronal excitability.

Training, Awareness, and Clinical Perspectives of Pediatric Dentists on Headache and Migraine Management: A National Survey Study.

Migraine affects approximately 3-10% of school-aged children and up to 28% of adolescents, with prevalence increasing during adolescence. For pediatric specialty providers, increased awareness of this condition may influence patient care. This study examined pediatric dentists' education, clinical exposure, and perceived knowledge gaps related to pediatric migraine, with the goal of identifying barriers to recognition and referral, as well as informing future training to support accurate diagnosis and interdisciplinary care.

Canine Spotted Fever Group Rickettsial Seroprevalence as an Indicator for Human Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Case Rates in Arizona, USA.

Introduction: Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a rapidly progressing febrile disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, is the deadliest tick-borne disease in the world. Human infection initially results in non-specific symptoms and, if untreated, can result in death in up to 35% of cases. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick) was discovered to spread RMSF in Arizona and Northern Mexico in the early 2000s, and the disease is now considered endemic in areas of the Southwestern United States.

A Unique Case of Osteoid Osteoma Within the Mastoid Air Cell: Insights From CT Imaging.

Osteoid osteomas are benign, solitary bone-forming tumors associated with progressively worsening pain. The exact etiology remains unclear, although it is speculated to result from neoplasia, direct trauma, or an inflammatory process. We present a rare case of a 53-year-old male who presented to the ED with a one-year history of worsening right ear pain and no significant medical or surgical history.

Author and Journal Self-Citation in General Surgery Original Research Articles.

Background: Citations are an indicator of an article's visibility, significance, impact, and attention in journals. Evidence has suggested that there may be increasing questionable citation practices by authors to achieve "scores and win rewards." It poses the question of whether high citation counts are a realistic metric for an individual's mark of influence or an attempt at the misrepresentation of performance to game citation scores.

Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia Presenting as an Enlarging Pulmonary Nodule in a 65-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report.

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare, benign lymphoid interstitial lung disease that frequently masquerades as malignancy on imaging and even frozen‑section histology. We report the case of a 65‑year‑old Vietnamese woman who presented with chronic right‑sided chest pain and a nonproductive cough. Baseline high‑resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed a 28 × 20 mm irregular opacity in the right upper lobe with scattered bilateral micronodules, all of which proved refractory to empirical antibiotics.

Cold storage of alarm substance reduces the behavioural stress response of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Alarm substance (AS) is widely used in zebrafish (Danio rerio, Hamilton, 1822) antipredator research to elicit an alarm reaction. This alarm reaction consists of stereotypical behaviours, including freezing, erratic swimming and a tendency to dwell at the bottom of the tank (geotaxis). Because the active compound in AS is known to degrade rapidly, many investigators choose to freeze AS until use, whereas others argue for collecting AS freshly the morning of an experimental session.

Atypical Neuropathic Symptoms Following Nexplanon: Possible Role of Edema-Induced Nerve Compression.

Nexplanon is a subdermal contraceptive implant that is generally well tolerated; however, rare complications can occur. Although typical adverse events include localized pain and nerve irritation along specific dermatomes, diffuse neuropathic symptoms are uncommon. This case report suggests that subclinical edema-induced nerve compression, often accompanied by an inflammatory response, may contribute to such atypical presentations.

The clinical significance of artery of Percheron in cerebral ischemia: a summary overview.

The artery of Percheron (AOP) infarction is a rare vascular condition and a pattern of ischemia where a single arterial trunk supplies blood to the rostral midbrain and paramedian thalamic areas, causing neurological deficits. Due to its rarity and atypical presentation, AOP infarction is frequently overlooked in initial assessments, particularly on computed tomography (CT) scans. In addition, different types of AOP infarction have been identified, and it is shown that there can be four significant distinct types of this disease, which may manifest some different symptoms and have various vascular alterations.

Understanding and predicting flossing behavior in a rural Appalachian community using the multi-theory model.

Effective flossing is essential for preventing periodontal disease. However, in a rural Appalachian community, adherence to flossing routines remains low, contributing to significant oral health disparities. The purpose of this study was to conceptualize intention of initiation and sustenance of flossing behaviors using the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change.

Enhancing Respiratory Physiology Instruction with Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Brief Educational Intervention.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly recognized as a valuable educational adjunct in medical school curricula, particularly for reinforcing physiology through dynamic, real-time visualization. Despite its growing relevance, integration of POCUS into pre-clinical instruction, especially in the context of pulmonary physiology, remains limited. This illumination paper describes the development, implementation, and initial outcomes of a 30-minute lung physiology ultrasound workshop designed to supplement the respiratory block lectures in a first-year medical physiology course.

Diversification of Kratom in US Markets: Results from an Online Survey and Chemical Assay of Products.

Kratom () products in the US have diversified from dried leaf to now include edibles, extracts, teas, and tonics. Higher alkaloid content and/or greater oral exposure across formulations expose consumers to potentially greater amounts of alkaloids per serving in a shorter duration of time, thereby potentially increasing product effect and risk profiles. Six kratom vendors disseminated our anonymous online survey.