Effectiveness Of Specific Interventions Research Articles

Adenosine Deaminase as a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a serious infectious disease caused by the Dabie bandavirus, with a high mortality rate. Currently, there are no effective vaccines or specific treatments for SFTS. Early diagnosis and accurate severity assessment are crucial. This study included 171 cases of SFTS, COVID-19, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients and healthy controls. We compared the serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity across these groups. The diagnostic and prognostic efficiency of serum ADA for SFTS was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also examined the correlation between serum ADA in SFTS patients and clinical lab parameters as well as serum cytokines. SFTS patients had significantly higher serum ADA activity than those of COVID-19, HBV patients, and healthy controls. Nonsurvivor SFTS patients had notably higher ADA than survivors. ROC analysis indicated ADA as an effective SFTS diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. ADA correlated with prognosis, viral load, APTT, PT, AST, ferritin, negatively with HDL-c and LDL-c, and positively with cytokines like IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Multiorgan failure patients showed significant ADA increase. Elevated serum ADA activity in SFTS patients is linked with disease severity and prognosis, showing potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for SFTS.

Condyloma acuminata - the review of the treatment methods

Introduction and purpose:
 Condyloma acuminata, a benign manifestation of HPV infection, is a common sexually transmitted disease. Condyloma acuminata most commonly affects the anogenital area, but can also occur in the oral cavity. Macroscopically the lesions present as raised, fleshy papules, sometimes flat and broad, pedicled or cauliflower-like. Generally, the lesions are multiple, and as they grow, tend to coalesce into larger ones. Due to the lack of symptoms, condyloma acuminata are often found incidentally during routine medical appointments, e.g. in gynecologist’s offices. Additional symptoms and signs are pain, minor bleeding and pruritus. Patients suffering from condyloma acuminata are often in psychological and psychosexual distress. 
 This work aims to provide a summary of the currently available treatment options based on scientific reports to date.
 A brief description of the state of knowledge:
 Among the factors that increase the risk of the HPV infection are age, lifestyle, promiscuity, smoking, HIV infection, a history of chlamydia or gonorrhea infections. To date, no treatment algorithm has been developed for condyloma acuminata. Two vaccines are on offer as primary prevention, Gardasil and Cervarix. The available treatment options are divided into two main groups: patient-administered and physician administered. Surgical methods have the highest therapeutic efficacy. Condyloma acuminata has a high recurrence rate. Usually, a multi-session combination treatment is needed to reach total remission.
 Summary (conclusions):
 The treatment of condyloma acuminata includes personalized targets due to their diverse clinical picture and the limitations of certain patient groups. The available treatment options do not exhaust the needs of patients suffering from condyloma acuminata. Further research into the effectiveness of specific treatments is advisable.

Supporting People with Social Care Needs On Release from Prison: A Scoping Review

Context: Social care need in prisons is increasing in many countries. However, the delivery of social care in prisons has been (at best) inconsistent and there has been no previous review to inform provision for people on release. Objective: To identify and synthesise what is known about the social care needs of people on release from prison and how best to meet these. Method: A scoping review encompassing systematic searches of 26 electronic databases (January 2010–July 2021) included a wide range of literature. No exclusions were made on the basis of study design, method or quality. Findings were organised according to their contribution to the research questions. Findings: Forty-six documents met the review criteria of which 27 were from the UK. Just two focused specifically on the topic of interest and most of the extracted material was descriptive in nature. Almost no information was found on the number of people released from prison in need of social care. However, the challenges of providing care for this group appeared well understood. Although there were many examples of good practice and widespread consensus about its enablers, outcome information was lacking. Limitations: In keeping with the nature of the review, the quality of the literature was not formally assessed. Implications: The review identified several promising initiatives ranging from prison buddy schemes to pre-release training in everyday living skills and personalised pathway documents. Conclusions: Policy makers and researchers must now shift their attention to the effectiveness of particular interventions in improving social care outcomes.

Additive and Specific Effects of Elicitor Treatments on the Metabolic Profile of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Several elicitors of plant defense have been identified and numerous efforts to use them in the field have been made. Exogenous elicitor treatments mimic the in planta activation of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), which relies on the perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) such as bacterial flg22 or fungal chitins. Early transcriptional responses to distinct PAMPs are mostly overlapping, regardless of the elicitor being used. However, it remains poorly known if the same patterns are observed for metabolites and proteins produced later during PTI. In addition, little is known about the impact of a combination of elicitors on PTI and the level of induced resistance to pathogens. Here, we monitored Arabidopsis thaliana resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pto DC3000) following application of flg22 and chitosan elicitors, used individually or in combination. A slight, but not statistically significant increase in induced resistance was observed when the elicitors were applied together when compared with individual treatments. We investigated the effect of these treatments on the metabolome by using an untargeted analysis. We found that the combination of flg22 and chitosan impacted a higher number of metabolites and deregulated specific metabolic pathways compared with the elicitors individually. These results contribute to a better understanding of plant responses to elicitors, which might help better rationalize their use in the field. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Twenty years of network meta-analysis: Continuing controversies and recent developments.

Network meta-analysis (NMA) is an extension of pairwise meta-analysis (PMA) which combines evidence from trials on multiple treatments in connected networks. NMA delivers internally consistent estimates of relative treatment efficacy, needed for rational decision making. Over its first 20 years NMA's use has grown exponentially, with applications in both health technology assessment (HTA), primarily re-imbursement decisions and clinical guideline development, and clinical research publications. This has been a period of transition in meta-analysis, first from its roots in educational and social psychology, where large heterogeneous datasets could be explored to find effect modifiers, to smaller pairwise meta-analyses in clinical medicine on average with less than six studies. This has been followed by narrowly-focused estimation of the effects of specific treatments at specific doses in specific populations in sparse networks, where direct comparisons are unavailable or informed by only one or two studies. NMA is a powerful and well-established technique but, in spite of the exponential increase in applications, doubts about the reliability and validity of NMA persist. Here we outline the continuing controversies, and review some recent developments. We suggest that heterogeneity should be minimized, as it poses a threat to the reliability of NMA which has not been fully appreciated, perhaps because it has not been seen as a problem in PMA. More research is needed on the extent of heterogeneity and inconsistency in datasets used for decision making, on formal methods for making recommendations based on NMA, and on the further development of multi-level network meta-regression.

Exploring Interrelationships between Mental Health Symptoms and Cognitive Impairment in Aging People Living with HIV in China

Introduction: Mental health symptoms and cognitive impairment are highly prevalent and intertwined among aging people living with HIV (PLWH). This study aimed to assess the interrelationships and strength of connections between individual mental health symptoms and cognitive impairment. We sought to identify specific symptoms linking mental health and cognitive impairment in aging PLWH. Methods: Participants in the Sichuan Older People with HIV Infections Cohort Study (SOHICS) were recruited between November 2018 and April 2021 in China. Mental health symptoms, including depression and anxiety, were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Cognitive impairment was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B). Partial correlation networks were used to depict the interrelationships between mental health symptoms and cognitive impairment, and bridge strength was used to identify specific symptoms linking mental health and cognitive impairment. Results: Of the 1,587 recruited participants with a mean age of 63.0 years old, 47.0% had mild or severe cognitive impairment. Network analysis revealed that cognitive function, visual perception, and problem-solving task of the MoCA-B were negatively correlated with appetite, energy, and motor of the PHQ-9, respectively. Based on their interrelationships, problem-solving task and motor acted as bridge symptoms. Conclusion: Problem-solving task and motor may be potential intervention targets to reduce the overall risk of mental health symptoms and cognitive impairment. Future research could assess the feasibility and effectiveness of specific interventions designed for the two symptoms of aging PLWH.

Exploring Student Adaptation to Emergency Online Learning: Psychological Readiness and Study Environments

This study explores the influence of study environments on the psychological readiness of students during emergency online learning scenarios in a post-pandemic context. Conducted during a festive season at a Malaysian university, the research examines how factors such as quietness, comfort, internet connectivity, and family dynamics shape the ability of 80 diploma students to adapt to the sudden shift to fully online classes. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through an open-ended survey, and thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes. The findings reveal that conducive study environments, initiated by minimal distractions, comfortable workspaces, reliable internet access, and supportive family interactions, are crucial for enhancing students’ focus and engagement in online learning. The study highlights the need for educational institutions to provide guidelines and resources to help students optimise their study environments. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of fostering family communication strategies to reduce disruptions. These insights offer valuable implications for future emergency learning scenarios, suggesting that targeted interventions could significantly improve student adaptation and academic performance. Future research should further investigate the long-term effects of these environmental factors and the effectiveness of specific interventions in enhancing students’ psychological readiness.

Promising therapy for neuroendocrine prostate cancer: current status and future directions.

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive variant of castration-resistant prostate cancer. It is characterized by low or no expression of the androgen receptor (AR), activation of AR-independent signaling, and increased neuroendocrine phenotype. Most of NEPC is induced by treatment of androgen deprivation therapy and androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs). Currently, the treatment of NEPC follows the treatment strategy for small-cell lung cancer, lacking effective drugs and specific treatment options. This review summarizes potential novel targets and therapies for NEPC treatment, including epigenetic regulators (zeste homolog 2 inhibitors, lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitors), aurora kinase A inhibitors, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, delta-like ligand 3 targeted therapies, a combination of immunotherapies, etc. Other promising targets and future directions are also discussed in this review. These novel targets and therapies may provide new opportunities for the treatment of NEPC.

Surgical heritage of academician Bogush L.K. and its influence on modern thoracic and phthisiatric surgery

The authors discuss the contribution of the outstanding scientist, surgeon, health care organizer and academician Lev K. Bogush in development of original surgeries that saved ten thousands of patients with respiratory diseases. The main periods of phthisiatric surgery are described (no antibacterial drugs and limited technical possibilities of surgical treatment, defining the place of surgery after emergence of specific effective drug treatment, introduction of resection options, drug-resistant forms of disease in population). In recent years, phthisiatric surgery is experiencing «second» birth, when it is increasingly used for destructive forms of disease. The authors emphasize the foresight of the scientist. He not only first performed many surgeries for pulmonary tuberculosis, but also created a whole direction in scientific and clinical development. The last one was later applied in other areas of thoracic surgery and oncology. Today, developments of academician Bogush L.K. are again in demand at the new stage of development of surgical science. This is especially clear in reconstructive tracheobronchial surgery, as well as surgical treatment of various complications after lung surgeries. Active surgical activity of Bogush L.K. fell on the period of two wars (the Finnish Company and the Great Patriotic War). He took active part in these conflicts and was the chief surgeon of several fronts for many years. Only a severe wound did not allow him to finish the war in Berlin. Rich surgical experience inspired further scientific and clinical researches in thoracic surgery.

Research on the metabolic regulation mechanism of Yangyin Qingfei decoction plus in severe pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in mice.

Introduction: With amazing clinical efficacy, Yangyin Qingfei Decoction Plus (YQDP), a well-known and age-old Chinese compound made of ten Chinese botanical drugs, is utilized in clinical settings to treat a range of respiratory conditions. This study examines the impact of Yangyin Qingfei Decoction (YQDP) on lung tissue metabolic products in severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP) model mice and examines the mechanism of YQDP in treating MP infection using UPLC-MS/MS technology. Methods: YQDP's chemical composition was ascertained by the use of Agilent 1260 Ⅱ high-performance liquid chromatography. By using a nasal drip of 1010 CCU/mL MP bacterial solution, an SMPP mouse model was created. The lung index, pathology and ultrastructural observation of lung tissue were utilized to assess the therapeutic effect of YQDP in SMPP mice. Lung tissue metabolites were found in the normal group, model group, and YQDP group using UPLC-MS/MS technology. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA), the amount of serum inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), was found. Additionally, the protein expression of PI3K, P-PI3K, AKT, P-AKT, NF-κB, and P-NF-κB was found using Western blot. Results: The contents of chlorogenic acid, paeoniflorin, forsythrin A, forsythrin, and paeonol in YQDP were 3.480 ± 0.051, 3.255 ± 0.040, 3.612 ± 0.017, 1.757 ± 0.031, and 1.080 ± 0.007mg/g respectively. YQDP can considerably lower the SMPP mice's lung index (p < 0.05). In the lung tissue of YQDP groups, there has been a decrease (p < 0.05) in the infiltration of inflammatory cells at varying concentrations in the alveoli compared with the model group. A total of 47 distinct metabolites, including choline phosphate, glutamyl lysine, L-tyrosine, 6-thioinosine, Glu Trp, 5-hydroxydecanoate, etc., were linked to the regulation of YQDP, according to metabolomics study. By controlling the metabolism of porphyrins, pyrimidines, cholines, fatty acids, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, ferroptosis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, enrichment analysis suggested that YQDP may be used to treat SMPP. YQDP can lower the amount of TNF-α and IL-6 in model group mice as well as downregulate P-PI3K, P-AKT, and P-NF-κB expression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A specific intervention effect of YQDP is observed in SMPP model mice. Through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathways, YQDP may have therapeutic benefits by regulating the body's metabolism of α-Linoleic acid, sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, arachidonic acid, and the production of unsaturated fatty acids.

Social predictors of breastfeeding and the impact of interventions on breastfeeding of preterm infants: A longitudinal study.

The multifaceted benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants include enhanced neurodevelopment and immune function in preterm infants. However, more research is needed to understand the unique factors affecting breastfeeding practices in preterm infants. This study aimed to identify key social predictors of breastfeeding in preterm infants and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions on their feeding practices during the first six months postpartum. A prospective, monocentric, longitudinal study involving a cohort of 201 preterm infants was executed at the Neonatology Department, Ceske Budejovice Hospital, Czech Republic, from January 2020 to January 2023. The STROBE guidelines were used. The study results elucidated a transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and formula within the infants' first six months. Notable social predictors of breastfeeding encompassed factors such as the number of children in the household, the mother's marital status, and the nature of housing. Certain interventions, including immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and child, and initiation of nutritive feeding within the first half-hour post-birth, significantly influenced the probability of breastfeeding. The data underscored that social predictors and nursing interventions substantially shape the breastfeeding practices of preterm infants during the first six months postpartum. Inequities in health outcomes among premature infants can be effectively curbed through comprehensive care models that account for socioeconomic factors influencing breastfeeding.

Comorbidities associated with symptoms of subjective cognitive decline in individuals aged 45-64.

Early-stage cognitive decline occurs when an individual experiences memory loss or other cognitive impairment but does not meet the criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other dementias. After diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), approximately 5-15 % of cases progress to dementia per year. AD and many other causes of dementia are presently incurable. Early recognition of cognitive decline can allow healthcare providers to reduce the risk of disease progression. Literature is scarce on factors that can increase the incidence of cognitive decline, especially in early ages; this is further exacerbated by difficulty tracking the prevalence of mild cognitive symptoms. This analysis aims to determine demographic and comorbid factors that predispose individuals to higher rates of early-stage subjective cognitive impairment in order to determine which individuals should be screened at earlier stages. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Subjective Cognitive Decline module of the 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Applying survey design and sampling weights, we constructed binary logistic regression models to assess associations, via odds ratios (OR), between comorbidities and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Alpha was set at 0.05 and confidence intervals (CIs) are reported at 95 %. Our sample included 110,305 participants representing 13.4 million US adults aged 45-64 years. Results showed that individuals with diabetes (OR: 2.29, CI: 2.09-2.51), hypertension (OR: 1.98, CI: 1.81-2.17), stroke (OR: 4.61, CI: 4.07-5.22), myocardial infarction (MI [OR: 3.09, CI: 2.73-3.49]), coronary heart disease (CHD [OR: 3.26, CI: 2.88-3.69]), depression (OR: 5.65, CI: 5.21-6.11), and chronic kidney disease (CKD [OR: 3.08, CI: 2.66-3.58]) experienced higher rates of SCD. Further, there were higher rates of SCD among individuals who identified as American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN), those with low educational attainment, and those with lower incomes. Our findings show that all comorbidities listed were correlated with higher rates of memory loss or confusion. Investigation of factors that are associated with an increased risk of developing new or worsening cognitive decline allows healthcare professionals to properly screen and treat these individuals early, before progressing to conditions that are currently incurable. Future studies into the mechanisms of these diseases in contributing to cognitive decline can illuminate specific effective treatment options.

АНЕМИЯ У ПАЦИЕНТОВ СО ЗЛОКАЧЕСТВЕННЫМИ НОВООБРАЗОВАНИЯМИ (обзор литературы)

Anemia is a common complication of both oncopathology itself and ongoing drug and chemoradiotherapy. Anemia not only worsens the quality of life of patients, but also negatively affects the effectiveness of specific treatment and patient survival rates. The frequency of anemia varies from 20 to 90% depending on the nosology, the stage of the disease, and the antitumor treatment being carried out.&#x0D; In cancer patients, anemia has a complex origin and can be caused by various reasons. As a rule, there are a number of factors at once, among which the suppressive effect of proinflammatory cytokines on erythropoiesis, synthesis of endogenous erythropoietin, sensitivity of erythropoietin receptors, as well as increased formation of hepcidin with the development of functional iron deficiency prevail.&#x0D; A detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of anemia caused by a tumor or chronic disease will allow the clinician to build a competent tactic for correcting the anemia syndrome, which will timely prevent the development of clinical symptoms and aggravation of the severity of the cancer patient's condition.

Evaluating Machine Learning Methods of Analyzing Multiclass Metabolomics.

Multiclass metabolomic studies have become popular for revealing the differences in multiple stages of complex diseases, various lifestyles, or the effects of specific treatments. In multiclass metabolomics, there are multiple data manipulation steps for analyzing raw data, which consist of data filtering, the imputation of missing values, data normalization, marker identification, sample separation, classification, and so on. In each step, several to dozens of machine learning methods can be chosen for the given data set, with potentially hundreds or thousands of method combinations in the whole data processing chain. Therefore, a clear understanding of these machine learning methods is helpful for selecting an appropriate method combination for obtaining stable and reliable analytical results of specific data. However, there has rarely been an overall introduction or evaluation of these methods based on multiclass metabolomic data. Herein, detailed descriptions of these machine learning methods in multiple data manipulation steps are reviewed. Moreover, an assessment of these methods was performed using a benchmark data set for multiclass metabolomics. First, 12 imputation methods for imputing missing values were evaluated based on the PSS (Procrustes statistical shape analysis) and NRMSE (normalized root-mean-square error) values. Second, 17 normalization methods for processing multiclass metabolomic data were evaluated by applying the PMAD (pooled median absolute deviation) value. Third, different methods of identifying markers of multiclass metabolomics were evaluated based on the CWrel (relative weighted consistency) value. Fourth, nine classification methods for constructing multiclass models were assessed using the AUC (area under the curve) value. Performance evaluations of machine learning methods are highly recommended to select the most appropriate method combination before performing the final analysis of the given data. Overall, detailed descriptions and evaluation of various machine learning methods are expected to improve analyses of multiclass metabolomic data.

An interdisciplinary approach to the management of oncohematological patients with immunodeficiency: clinical cases. A review

Immunodeficiency occurs when one or more immune system components do not function properly, resulting in the body's inability to resist mostly infectious agents. Most cases of immunodeficiency in adults are acquired (secondary), but congenital immunodeficiencies are not uncommon. Primary immunodeficiencies are a heterogeneous group of innate immune errors that result in various clinical and laboratory manifestations. In contrast, secondary immunodeficiencies involve an acquired decrease in immune cell count and/or impairment of their function, commonly associated with an antibody level decrease. Secondary immunodeficiency in patients with B-cell hematological malignancies is a common condition attributed to both hematological malignancy and secondary antitumor therapy-related causes. Paradoxically, immunodeficiency, initially attributed to secondary causes, may be due to a previously undiagnosed primary immunodeficiency. Early diagnosis of immunodeficiency and optimization of management strategies with a multidisciplinary approach are critical to providing the most effective specific treatments and reducing the incidence of infection-related complications and mortality. The article addresses clinical practice, recommendations, and problems of immunodeficiency diagnosis and the effectiveness of immunoglobulin replacement therapy illustrated by clinical cases.

Kontribusi Metode Latihan Shuttle Run terhadap Tendangan Mawashi Geri dalam Karate Dojo Inkai Sidoharo Sragen

The kick in karate is an effective attack in taking points from the opponent but has a fairly high level of difficulty, so it takes physical conditions that support so that the kick can be done well. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of physical exercise, especially the legs using the shuttle run on the mawashi geri kick in the karateka Dojo Inkai Sidoharjo in Sragen Regency. The type of research used is experimental research, which is a type of research that aims to determine the specific effect of intentional treatment. Experiments in this study are pre-experimental types of pretest and posttest in one group. The data collection technique was carried out by non-probability porpose sampling with as many as 20 karateka. by testing as many mawashi kicks as possible in 10 seconds which is then processed using spss 25.The results of the shuttle run exercise have an effect but are not significant and increase 1,6% for male and 2,4% for female karateka after doing the exercise for 12 meetings

Advances in the treatment of IgA nephropathy with biological agents.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease, and the "four-hit" theory represents its currently accepted pathogenic mechanism. Mucosal immunity triggered by infections in the respiratory tract, intestines, or other areas leads to antigen presentation, T cell stimulation, B cell maturation, and the production of IgA-producing plasma cells. The proteins B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and aproliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are involved in this process, and alternative complement and lectin pathway activation are also part of the pathogenic mechanism. Kidney DiseaseImproving Global Outcomes guidelines indicate that a specific effective treatment for IgAN is lacking, with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors being the primary therapy. Recent research shows that biological agents can significantly reduce proteinuria, stabilize the estimated glomerular filtration rate, and reverse some pathological changes, such as endocapillary proliferation and crescent formation. There are four main categories of biological agents used to treat IgA nephropathy, specifically anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, anti-BLyS or APRIL monoclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies targeting both BLyS and APRIL (telitacicept and atacicept), and monoclonal antibodies inhibiting complement system activation (narsoplimab and eculizumab). However, further research on the dosages, treatment duration, long-term efficacy, and safety of these biological agents is required.

Prevalence of transthyretin amyloidosis in patients undergoing carpal tunnel surgery: a prospective cohort study and risk factor analysis.

Transthyretin amyloidosis is a frequent cause of heart failure, resulting from an accumulation of abnormal proteins in the myocardium. Recent research has highlighted the importance of early diagnosis to enhance the effectiveness of specific treatments. Extra-cardiac symptoms may precede several years before cardiac complications, with carpal tunnel syndrome often considered a red flag. The aim of this prospective, observational cohort study was to determine the incidence rate of positive synovial biopsies for transthyretin amyloidosis in patients aged 60-80 years undergoing carpal tunnel decompression, and to identify risk factors. The diagnosis of transthyretin amyloidosis was confirmed through the analysis of synovial tissue biopsies using Congo Red and immunohistochemical staining. The study included 254 patients, with an 18.5% prevalence of transthyretin amyloidosis. Risk factors for positive test results were identified as male sex, trigger finger, hearing disorders and valve disease. A predictive analysis using logistic regression yielded a probability model for individuals belonging to the positive group.Level of evidence III.

An improved and convenient petri plate-based method for studying the root growth of plants

Plant scientists across the globe are interested in studying the root growth architecture of plants to understand different processes determining growth and development in plants. In the majority of cases, root growth-related experiments are carried out on petri plates filled with solid nutrient media. However, plants growing in these plates are often exposed to conditions that are not close to the natural conditions. Also, it is difficult to pour two different media on the same plate which is quite a useful feature to study the effect of specific treatment on plant growth. In the present work, we describe an improved and easy-to-use petri plate system useful for studying root growth characteristics of young plants grown over solid nutrient media. In comparison to the conventional methods, the present plate system offers an advantage in terms of facilitating the pouring of two different media in the same plate, avoiding contact of the aerial part of the plant with nutrient media, and ensuring the growth of roots under dark conditions. The described plate, therefore, provides a convenient system to study root growth under conditions close to natural conditions and hence minimizing experimental artifacts.•The plate system facilitates the pouring of two different nutrient media into the same plate.•The aerial part of the seedling does not come in contact with the media.•Ensures growth of roots under dark conditions.

Long-term outcome of a cohort of Italian patients affected with alpha-Mannosidosis.

Alpha-mannosidosis (MIM #248500) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease with multi-system involvement and a wide phenotypic spectrum. Information on long-term outcomes remains poor. We present the long-term outcomes (median, 19 years) of nine patients with alpha-mannosidosis, three females and six males, followed at a single center. The findings of the nine patients were collected from medical records and reported as mean ± SD or median, and range. The age of onset of the first symptoms ranged from 0-1 to 10 years. The diagnostic delay ranged from 2 to 22 years (median= 11 years). Coarse face, hearing, heart valves, joints, gait, language, dysarthria, psychiatric symptoms, I.Q., MRI, walking disabilities, orthopedic disturbances and surgeries showed a slow worsening over the decades. Our patients showed a slowly worsening progressive outcome over the decades. Psychiatric symptoms were present in 100% of our population and improved with the appropriate pharmacological intervention. This aspect requires attention when following up on these patients. Our description of the long-term evolution of alpha-mannosidosis patients may provide basic knowledge for understanding the effects of specific treatments.