KasA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial and mid-term outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using the cuff-first technique (CFT) to prevent type II endoleak (T2EL). METHODS: CFT involves deploying an aortic cuff inside the AAA to cover the ostium of the aortic side branch vessels before deploying the main body. We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing EVAR with CFT or side branch embolization (SBE) for AAAs at The Jikei University Hospital between 2016 and 2022...

Soybean is a leguminous crop known for its multiple utilizations both as food and feed for humans and livestock. The objectives of the study were to identify high dry matter yielder and stable genotypes across environments in southwestern Ethiopia. The effect of genotype environment (G x E) interaction on dry matter yield of soybean genotypes were evaluated in two cropping seasons (2019-2020) under rain fed condition. Eight pre tested soybean genotypes with two checks were used as treatment in a randomized complete block design with three replications...

Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is a widespread bacterial infection that remains a significant global health issue. This study focuses on conducting a thorough investigation into the synthesis, evaluation of anti-Tb activity, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation of substituted benzimidazole derivatives. A series of twelve substituted benzimidazole derivatives ( 1 - 12 ) were successfully synthesized, employing a scaffold consisting of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups. The newly synthesized compounds were defined by their FTIR, 1 H NMR, and mass spectra...

A network of regulatory innovations brings a holistic approach to improving the submission, assessment, and lifecycle management of pharmaceutical quality information in the U.S. This dedicated effort in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) aims to enhance the quality assessment of submissions for new drugs, generic drugs, and biological products including biosimilars. These regulatory innovations include developing or contributing: (i) the Knowledge-Aided Assessment and Structured Application (KASA), (ii) a new common technical document for quality (ICH M4Q(R2)), (iii) structured data on Pharmaceutical Quality/Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (PQ/CMC), (iv) Integrated Quality Assessment (IQA), (v) the Quality Surveillance Dashboard (QSD), and (vi) the Established Conditions tool from the ICH Q12 guideline...

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We present a novel optical nanomotion-based rapid antibiotic and antifungal susceptibility test. The technique consisted of studying the effects of antibiotics or antifungals on the nanometric scale displacements of bacteria or yeasts to assess their sensitivity or resistance to drugs. The technique relies on a traditional optical microscope, a video camera, and custom-made image analysis software. It provides reliable results in a time frame of 2-4 h and can be applied to motile, non-motile, fast, and slowly growing microorganisms...

The World Health Organization highlights the urgent need to address the global threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Efficient and rapid detection of bacterial response to antibiotics and their virulence state is crucial for the effective treatment of bacterial infections. However, current methods for investigating bacterial antibiotic response and metabolic state are time-consuming and lack accuracy. To address these limitations, we propose a novel method for classifying bacterial virulence based on statistical analysis of nanomotion recordings...

This study presents a total synthesis and revision of the stereochemical configuration of the conformationally flexible natural product benzo[ g ]isochromene stereodiad alongside its diastereomeric counterparts. The highlights of the synthesis are the TiCl4 -mediated diastereoselective aldol reaction, Pd-catalyzed lactonization, and Schmidt glycosidation. Our efforts using total synthesis disclosed herein proved that a previously assigned structure required revision.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat, reducing treatment options for infected patients. AMR is promoted by a lack of access to rapid antibiotic susceptibility tests (ASTs). Accelerated ASTs can identify effective antibiotics for treatment in a timely and informed manner. We describe a rapid growth-independent phenotypic AST that uses a nanomotion technology platform to measure bacterial vibrations. Machine learning techniques are applied to analyze a large dataset encompassing 2762 individual nanomotion recordings from 1180 spiked positive blood culture samples covering 364 Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates exposed to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the long-term outcomes beyond 10 years of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) using the low-profile INCRAFT device. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing EVAR using the INCRAFT device as part of the regulatory trial between 2012 and 2013. Primary endpoint was aneurysm-related death. Secondary endpoints were all-cause death, reintervention, late open conversion, and aneurysm status (shrinkage, stable, and growth)...

This study aimed to ascertain the pooled prevalence and trend of consistent condom use in Sub-Saharan Africa, addressing the fragmented and inconsistent research on its role in preventing HIV transmission. In this meta-analysis, we systematically searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, ScienceDirect, Africa-Wide Information (via EBSCOhost), as well as clinical trial registries, and the search engine Google Scholar. All necessary data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format...

A monolayer of endothelial cells (ECs) lines the lumen of blood vessels and, as such, provides a semi-selective barrier between the blood and the interstitial space. Compromise of the lung EC barrier due to inflammatory or toxic events may result in pulmonary edema, which is a cardinal feature of acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The EC functions are controlled, at least in part, via epigenetic mechanisms mediated by histone deacetylases (HDACs). Zinc-dependent HDACs represent the largest group of HDACs and are activated by Zn2+ ...

Steel slag (SS) has many applications, but its immediate reuse is not possible due to its inherent swelling potential and presence of toxic metals. Therefore, it can only be used after the aging process, which can be either natural or artificial. While few large-scale steel plants afford artificial aging, many small-scale ones opt for natural aging through stockpiling of SS. This results in an increase in soil pH to over 12, thus damaging the ecosystem and making it unviable for plant growth. This research focuses on the reclamation of land affected by SS through the formation of a Phyto-barrier using 22 native plant species aided by the application of a 2 % (v/v) solution of the organic amendment...

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of cytokines are key drivers of blood vessel growth and remodeling. These ligands act via multiple VEGF receptors (VEGFR) and co-receptors such as Neuropilin (NRP) expressed on endothelial cells. These membrane-associated receptors are not solely expressed on the cell surface, they move between the surface and intracellular locations, where they can function differently. The location of the receptor alters its ability to 'see' (access and bind to) its ligands, which regulates receptor activation; location also alters receptor exposure to subcellularly localized phosphatases, which regulates its deactivation...

The emergence of antibiotic and antifungal resistant microorganisms represents nowadays a major public health issue that might push humanity into a post-antibiotic/antifungal era. One of the approaches to avoid such a catastrophe is to advance rapid antibiotic and antifungal susceptibility tests. In this study, we present a compact, optical fiber-based nanomotion sensor to achieve this goal by monitoring the dynamic nanoscale oscillation of a cantilever related to microorganism viability. High detection sensitivity was achieved that was attributed to the flexible two-photon polymerized cantilever with a spring constant of 0...

Vaccination is a critical intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality and limit strain on health systems caused by COVID-19. The slow pace of COVID-19 vaccination uptake observed in some settings raises concerns about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced logistical challenges and low uptake at the start of vaccine distribution, leading to one of the lowest overall COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the world in 2021. This study assessed the magnitude and associated factors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare workers (HCWs) in seven provinces in DRC...

Antimicrobial resistance threatens the efficacious prevention and treatment of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms. To combat microbial infections, the need for new drug candidates is essential. In this context, the design, synthesis, antimicrobial screening, and in silico study of a new series of 5-aryl-3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)isoxazole ( 9a-t ) have been reported. The structure of new compounds was confirmed by spectrometric methods. Compounds 9a-t were evaluated for in vitro antitubercular and antimicrobial activity...

AIMS: To assess the agreement between left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDi) and volume index (LVEDVi) to define LV dilatation and to investigate the respective prognostic implications in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HF symptoms and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were evaluated retrospectively. LV dilatation was defined as LVEDDi or LVEDVi above the upper normal limit according to published reference values...

BACKGROUND: The recent recognition of the multidimensional features of frailty has emphasised the need for individualised multicomponent interventions. In the context of sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have examined: a) the frailty status of the older population; b) the level of frailty and its health implications and; c) the impact of a nurse-led intervention to reduce frailty. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a nurse-led intervention to reduce frailty and associated health consequences among older people living in Ethiopia...

A 49-year-old man who was a current smoker with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease after coronary stent placement presented because of abdominal and back pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a 30-mm, large hepatic artery aneurysm. Resection of the aneurysm and autogenous vein bypass grafting was performed, which resulted in a successful outcome without any complications. Pathologic examination of the aneurysm confirmed that it was related to immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)...