Fetal Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion in the Surveillance of Intra-Abdominal Umbilical Vein Varix.

Objective: To describe the application of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in monitoring cardiac function in cases of fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix (FIUVV).

Methods: The sample consisted of all cases of FIUVV diagnosed in a tertiary medical center between 2018 and 2023 that were assessed by sonographic fetal TAPSE. Cases were identified by retrospective database review.

Interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogel Composition Alters Encapsulated MSC Spreading and In Vivo Degradation Behavior.

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel was developed for the three-dimensional (3D) culture of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with the aim of independently controlling cell spreading and material modulus. Based on our previous studies, we formulated a semisynthetic material composed of two networks: a covalent network of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-fibrinogen (PF) and a second guest-host (GH) network of hyaluronic acid (HA) coupled to β-cyclodextrin (CD) and adamantane (Ad). The PF network provided cell attachment, precise control over modulus through the incorporation of additional PEG-diacrylate (PEG-DA) cross-linking, and proteolytic degradability.

Enhancing commercially available immunoassays through a customized electrokinetic biomolecular preconcentration device.

Immunoassays are widely utilized in various settings, from clinics and emergency rooms to remote and resource-limited environments, such as patients' homes. However, they often present a significant trade-off: while offering simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness, they generally lack sensitivity. This study introduces an innovative electrokinetic preconcentration device that employs ion concentration-polarization in micro- and nanofluidic systems to continuously capture and preconcentrate target biomolecules.

Disparities in invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, and otitis media among US children by comorbidity profile and insurance status.

Background: Near-universal pediatric use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in the United States (US) has yielded substantive reductions childhood invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), pneumonia (PNE), and otitis media (OM), especially among at-risk populations. We evaluated residual disparities in disease burden among US children by comorbidity profile and insurance type (as a proxy for socioeconomic status) during the post-PCV13 era.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study using two US healthcare claims databases: Optum Clinformatics DataMart (commercial) and Merative MarketScan Medicaid Multi-State Database.

Unraveling α-synuclein and amylin co-aggregation: pathological insights and biomarker development for Parkinson's disease.

Patients with diabetes have a higher morbidity in Parkinson's disease (PD) than others, but the mechanism underlying this link remains controversial. The co-aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) and amylin has been hypothesized as a key contributor. Molecular interaction analysis and co-immunoprecipitation were conducted to assess the feasibility of co-aggregation.

The protective effect of biologic and targeted-synthetic therapies on developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

Background: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a severe, life threatening, complication that arises weeks after acute Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, often presenting with fever and diverse systemic symptoms. Limited data exists on the effectiveness of biologic and targeted-synthetic therapies in preventing MIS-C development. Therefore, our aim was to investigate whether biologic and targeted-synthetic therapies can prevent the occurrence of MIS-C.

Drug treatment strategies for erosive esophagitis in adults: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: Erosive esophagitis (EE) is the second most common phenotype of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are considered the mainstay treatment for healing and maintaining remission of EE, a significant proportion of patients, particularly those with advanced grades, fail to respond adequately. This review provides an updated overview of the current pharmacological treatment options for EE.

Water-Soluble Peptoids with Two Different Binding Sites for Strong ATP Chelation.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is the activator of many enzymes, including kinases, that play a significant role in various medical conditions such as cancer. Therefore, inhibiting ATP-dependent enzymes requires to disable its binding to enzymes, and this can be done by developing potent ATP chelators. Currently, there are two main types of chelators: one that binds ATP via zinc complexes of nitrogen-based ligands, such as 2,2';6',2″-terpyridine (Terpy), which target the phosphate ligands, and another one containing phenylboronic acid (PBA) to bind the diols within the ribose.

Bioactivity of proanthocyanidin-whey protein isolate stabilized Pickering emulsion with encapsulated β-carotene.

β-carotene (BC) has many important physiological functions but is limited in functional food applications due to low stability and bioavailability. This study developed a Pickering emulsion delivery system stabilized by whey protein isolate (WPI) and proanthocyanidins (PC) with different polymerization degrees to encapsulate β-carotene. Compared to WPI, the incorporation of PC significantly increased the UV stability and encapsulation efficiency of BC.

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis: 12-26 months follow-up.

Background: Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, renowned for its immunomodulatory effects and established efficacy in orthopedics, shows promise for managing peri-implantitis by reducing soft tissue inflammation and marginal bone loss. This study aimed to compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of nonsurgical peri-implantitis treatment with and without PEMF therapy. This multicenter retrospective-prospective analysis combined data from two centers.

Role of a Designated Pharmacist in Reducing Adverse Drug Reaction Rates and Preventing Potential Medication Errors in Hematology-Oncology: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Evidence is insufficient regarding pharmacists' impact on reducing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in oncology. This trial evaluated whether including a designated pharmacist in the hematology-oncology team reduced ADRs compared with standard care.

Methods: This single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted at its outpatient hematology-oncology clinics from July 2020 to October 2022.

Anion-Exchange-Membrane Electrolysis with Alkali-Free Water Feed.

Hydrogen is a green and sustainable energy vector that can facilitate the large-scale integration of intermittent renewable energy, renewable fuels for heavy transport, and deep decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries. Anion-exchange-membrane water electrolyzers (AEM-WEs) have several achieved or expected competitive advantages over other electrolysis technologies, including the use of precious metal-free electrocatalysts at both electrodes, fluorine-free hydrocarbon-based ionomeric membranes and bipolar plates based on inexpensive materials. Contrasting the analogous proton-exchange-membrane system (PEM-WE), where pure water is circulated (no support electrolyte), the current generation of AEM-WEs necessitates the circulation of a dilute aqueous alkaline electrolyte for reaching high energy efficiency and durability.

Selective Choice of the Efficient Carotenoid Antenna by a Xanthorhodopsin: Controlling Factors for Binding and Excitation Energy Transfer.

Despite extensive research on carotenoids and microbial rhodopsins in aquatic environments, a fundamental understanding of the binding requirements of carotenoids that serve as auxiliary light-harvesting antennas for rhodopsins is still lacking. Our recent discovery of 3-hydroxylated xanthophyll-binding proteorhodopsins and xanthorhodopsins prompted us to investigate the role of keto and hydroxy functional groups in carotenoid binding to rhodopsins and their influence on energy transfer to the retinal chromophore. In this study, we examined the binding of 12 carotenoids to rhodopsin Kin4B8 (a protein of the xanthorhodopsin family, GenBank: OP056329) and assessed the energy transfer between the carotenoid and the retinal chromophore.

Correction: Personalized preictal EEG pattern characterization: do timing and localization matter?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2025.

Treatment of Low-Grade Intermediate-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer With UGN-102: Outcomes From the 5-Year Long-Term Extension Study of the Single-Arm, Phase 2b Optima II Study.

Introduction: The OPTIMA II phase 2b study (NCT03558503) treated patients with low-grade intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG-IR-NMIBC) with UGN-102, a reverse thermal hydrogel containing mitomycin. Efficacy and safety results have been reported for the 12-month parent study; here, we report 5-year follow-up data.

Patients And Methods: Patients who participated in the OPTIMA II study and achieved a complete response (CR) after 6 weekly doses of UGN-102 were followed for up to 9 months after initial CR.

Structured Squeezed Light Allows for High-Harmonic Generation in Classical Forbidden Geometries.

High-harmonic generation (HHG) is a nonlinear process in which a strong driving field interacts with a material, resulting in the frequency up-conversion of the driver into its high-order harmonics. This process is highly sensitive to the field's polarization: circular polarization, for instance, inhibits HHG. In this Letter, we demonstrate that the use of nonclassical structured light enables HHG in this otherwise prohibitive configuration for classical drivers.

Combined Effects of Bubble Size Ratio on Coalescence-Driven Dynamics and Electrode Dimensions on Electrolytic Performance.

Gas bubble formation and detachment during water electrolysis critically affect electrochemical performance, particularly at high current densities. Bubble dynamics at the electrode interface are strongly influenced by both current density and electrode geometry. These dynamics govern coalescence behavior and detachment efficiency, thereby influencing overall electrolytic efficiency.

Temporary Tattoo-Inspired, Skin-Adaptable Epidermal Electrode from an Ultrathin PU-PVA Film.

Long-term, high-fidelity electrophysiological monitoring requires epidermal electrodes that simultaneously offer conformability, breathability, and mechanical durability─attributes rarely achieved in current designs─through a scalable, simple, and low-cost fabrication strategy. We report a 5.2-μm-thick, transparent, air- and vapor-permeable "tattoo" electrode that adheres to the human skin through water-activated hydrogen bonding provided by a NaCl/glycerol/water hydrating solution, echoing the mechanism of temporary tattoos.

Non-clinical factors influencing discharge and admission decisions in the emergency department: a focus group study among Israeli physicians.

Background: Emergency department (ED) physicians frequently make high-stakes decisions under time constraints. While clinical indicators are essential, non-clinical factors often shape whether a patient is admitted or discharged. However, the specific non-clinical influences and how physicians perceive them remain underexplored.

Black carbon emissions generally underestimated in the global south as revealed by globally distributed measurements.

Characterizing black carbon (BC) on a fine scale globally is essential for understanding its climate and health impacts. However, sparse BC mass measurements in different parts of the world and coarse model resolution have inhibited evaluation of global BC emission inventories. Here, we apply globally distributed BC mass measurements from the Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN) and complementary measurement networks to evaluate contemporary BC emission inventories.

CARMIL2 deficiency disrupts activation-induced metabolic reprogramming in T cells and is partially rescued by glutamine supplementation.

Background: T-cell activation requires signaling through the T-cell receptor and costimulatory molecules, including CD28, triggering metabolic reprogramming to support growth and proliferation of the activating T cell. CARMIL2, a scaffold protein, facilitates CD28-mediated signaling. Individuals with CARMIL2 mutations experience inborn errors of immunity, leading to T-cell dysfunction and severe infectious and inflammatory comorbidities.

Topical hemostatic agents in endoscopy: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technical and Technology Review.

Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has evolved from a diagnostic tool into a therapeutic modality, leading to a higher incidence of bleeding complications during and after procedures. To address this issue, various hemostatic agents have been developed, including injectable, mechanical, thermal, and topical products. Topical hemostatic agents, available in powder or gel forms, can be used as standalone treatments or as adjuncts to traditional hemostatic therapies to control or prevent bleeding.

An integrated optimization and deep learning pipeline for predicting live birth success in IVF using feature optimization and transformer-based models.

Unlabelled: The complicated interplay of clinical, demographic, and procedural factors makes it difficult to predict the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF), a commonly used assisted reproductive technology. The goal of this research was to create an artificial intelligence (AI) pipeline that could predict live birth outcomes in IVF treatments with high accuracy.

Design: We evaluated prediction performance by integrating different feature selection methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), with different machine learning-based classifiers, including random forest (RF) and decision tree, as well as deep learning-based classifiers, including a custom transformer-based model and a Tab_transformer model with an attention mechanism.

Evolutionary features in a minimal physical system: Diversity, selection, growth, inheritance, and adaptation.

We present a simple physical model that recapitulates several features of biological evolution, while being based only on thermally driven attachment and detachment of elementary building blocks. Through its dynamics, this model samples a large and diverse array of nonequilibrium steady states, both within and between independent trajectories. These dynamics exhibit directionality with a quantity that increases in time, selection, and preferential spatial expansion of particular states, as well as inheritance in the form of correlated compositions between successive states, and environment-dependent adaptation.