Nevin ManimalaChem Commun (Camb). 2025 May 23. doi: 10.1039/d5cc00856e. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Herein, we investigate a two-point crosslinked amyloid-β (Aβ) dimer, which forms an intermolecular β-sheet. The atomic force microscopy statistical results indicate that the heights of these dimers are approximately 0.37 nm, providing a baseline for the Aβ peptide sizes and improving our understanding of Aβ oligomers in Alzheimer’s disease.
PMID:40406894 | DOI:10.1039/d5cc00856e
Anal Methods. 2025 May 23. doi: 10.1039/d5ay00426h. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
A bio-chip substrate made from amorphous carbon was successfully developed as an innovative and practical biodetection system. This peptide-microarray biochip was based on a novel principle for protein detection in diagnostics. The carbon material as a substrate carrier offered significant advantages over conventional glass slides with regard to its surface chemistry. The biochip detection system used the measurement of fluorescent intensity changes caused by the interactions between capture molecules (labelled structured peptides arrayed on the substrate) and analytes. Fluorescent intensity changes with and without analytes were dose-dependent and could be visualized as “protein fingerprints”. In this recognition system, interactions are not limited to one-to-one correspondence as in ELISA. Hence, this method can even be applied to analytes containing uncharacterized molecules. Statistical data handling, such as multivariate analyses, enabled discrimination of complex analytes such as body fluids. The present biochip used with an in-house developed detection device could be re-used 10-20 times with the same or different analytes. The captured molecules in this system were immobilized on the chip-surface through stable amide bonds, which allowed washing and even scrub cleaning. This unique material has a potential for dual detection thorough fluorescent intensity changes and mass spectrometric analyses when the chip is used as a sample tray, since this material has high electric conductivity. Thus, this dual detection allows the possibility of discovering marker candidates.
PMID:40406893 | DOI:10.1039/d5ay00426h
Euro Surveill. 2025 May;30(20). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.20.2400655.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundBetween 2020 and 2023, ECDC has supported 21 of 30 EU/EEA and six Western Balkan countries by enhancing severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance to monitor trends, detect unexpected events, evaluate public health interventions, identify risk factors and support vaccine effectiveness studies. Using diverse strategies, countries have implemented SARI surveillance and reported data at national/European levels.AimWe evaluated European-level SARI surveillance and provided recommendations to achieve objectives and improve key attribute performance.MethodsWe analysed 2022/23 surveillance data for completeness. We administered a questionnaire, targeting country-level representatives, to evaluate surveillance attributes (meeting objectives, usefulness, acceptability, timeliness, representativeness) and identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.ResultsThirteen countries (13/27) reported data at European level. Data showed good overall completeness but varied across countries and some variables need improvement (vaccination, sequencing). The questionnaire was completed by all 27 countries. Most countries (23/27) reported that the system effectively monitored trends and considered it useful and acceptable (25/27), but only 16 found it timely and 14 representative. Challenges included insufficient case-based data, data linkage issues and insufficient data completeness. Slow/inefficient manual data extraction affected timeliness, while insufficient geographical coverage affected representativeness. Multi-pathogen surveillance was identified as the main strength, heterogeneity of systems the main weakness, improvements of hospital information systems the main opportunity, and lack of sustainable funding the main threat.ConclusionsSARI surveillance was perceived as effective in monitoring trends, useful and acceptable. To achieve additional objectives and enhance timeliness and representativeness, we recommend improving data completeness, digitalisation/automation and geographical coverage.
PMID:40406887 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.20.2400655
Euro Surveill. 2025 May;30(20). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.20.2400797.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundData on economic costs of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among children in primary care are scarce, although most RSV-infections are managed in this setting.AimTo estimate outpatient costs for RSV-positive children aged < 5 years.MethodsIn the RSV ComNet prospective cohort, children < 5 years with acute respiratory infection were recruited for RSV testing through primary care physicians in Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom (UK) during RSV seasons 2020/21 (UK only), 2021/22 and 2022/23. Outpatient healthcare utilisation and parental work absence were assessed over 30 days through parental questionnaires. Average costs per RSV episode were calculated from outpatient healthcare sector and societal perspectives, stratified by country and age.ResultsWe included 3,414 children and 1,124 (33%) tested RSV-positive. Physicians completed reports for 878 episodes, with follow-up questionnaire data for 819 (93%). Outpatient costs ranged from EUR 97 (95% CI: 91-104) in the Netherlands to EUR 300 (95% CI: 287-312) in Spain and were higher for infants than children aged 1-5 years. Societal costs ranged from EUR 454 (95% CI: 418-494) in the UK to EUR 994 (95% CI: 938-1,053) in Belgium. For children aged 1-5 years, societal costs were primarily driven by parental work absence. In infants, the main societal cost driver varied by country, but overall outpatient healthcare costs represented a higher proportion of societal costs vs older children.ConclusionRSV infections in children attending primary care result in substantial economic costs per episode, although differences exist across countries. This study provides essential data to inform cost-effectiveness analyses on novel RSV immunisations.
PMID:40406885 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.20.2400797
Health Informatics J. 2025 Apr-Jun;31(2):14604582251345328. doi: 10.1177/14604582251345328. Epub 2025 May 23.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Advances in technology have improved the lives of Indonesians. For example, the health sector. This is indicated by the emergence of telemedicine to facilitate health services. This study aims to test the effect of individual trust on the intention to use telemedicine applications. Therefore, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) are used as the basis for answering the questions posed by this research. Methods: Sampling was conducted online and involved 402 respondents who all came from the Indonesian island of Java. Validity, reliability, and hypothesis testing used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Smart-PLS 4 tools. Result: The results show that effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and social influence have a positive influence on individual belief; intention to use is influenced by individual belief and behavioral intentions. The results of the hypothesis testing show that behavioral intention has the greatest influence on intention to use with a t value of 31.315 and a β value of 0.801. Conclusion: The novelty of this study is that it includes individual belief variables that are influenced by variables from UTAUT, namely effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions.
PMID:40406860 | DOI:10.1177/14604582251345328
Neuroradiol J. 2025 May 23:19714009251345108. doi: 10.1177/19714009251345108. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: This study focuses on an objective evaluation of a novel reconstruction algorithm-Deep Learning Image Reconstruction (DLIR)-ability to improve image quality and reduce radiation dose compared to the established standard of Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction-V (ASIR-V), in unenhanced head computed tomography (CT). Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 163 consecutive unenhanced head CTs was conducted. Image quality assessment was computed on the objective parameters of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR), derived from 5 regions of interest (ROI). The evaluation of DLIR dose reduction abilities was based on the analysis of the PACS derived parameters of dose length product and computed tomography dose index volume (CTDIvol). Results: Following the application of rigorous criteria, the study comprised 35 patients. Significant image quality improvement was achieved with the implementation of DLIR, as evidenced by up to a 145% and 160% increase in SNR in supra- and infratentorial regions, respectively. CNR measurements further confirmed the superiority of DLIR over ASIR-V, with an increase of 171.5% in the supratentorial region and a 59.3% increase in the infratentorial region. Despite the signal improvement and noise reduction DLIR facilitated radiation dose reduction of up to 44% in CTDIvol. Conclusion: Implementation of DLIR in head CT scans enables significant image quality improvement and dose reduction abilities compared to standard ASIR-V. However, the dose reduction feature was proven insufficient to counteract the lack of gantry angulation in wide-detector scanners.
PMID:40406852 | DOI:10.1177/19714009251345108
Healthc Q. 2025 Jan;27(4):72-77. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2025.27578.
ABSTRACT
This retrospective review evaluates the Ontario Surgical Quality Improvement Network’s patient outcomes and financial returns. Criteria from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Network are used to examine the program, and risk-adjusted data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program on four indicators spanning 2016 to 2023 were used to calculate outcomes. With reductions in post-operative complications, readmissions and length of hospital stay, the Ontario healthcare system is saving an estimated $3,000,000 per year, representing a return on investment of 38%. Similar quality improvement networks could be adopted in other jurisdictions to elevate surgical care standards.
PMID:40406844 | DOI:10.12927/hcq.2025.27578
Healthc Q. 2025 Jan;27(4):64-71. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2025.27579.
ABSTRACT
In the context of long organ wait lists and few registered organ donors, Transplant Québec aimed to understand public views on deceased organ donation, as a basis for public-facing communications. It formulated four personas representing subgroups with varying views and behaviours related to organ donation. They were iteratively built via triangulation of findings from literature reviews, populational data, public polls, an expert panel and focus groups. Personas offer a more human approach to characterizing groups than statistics, which is particularly helpful for sensitive issues such as organ donation. This work may assist other organizations in tailoring public health communications.
PMID:40406843 | DOI:10.12927/hcq.2025.27579
Healthc Q. 2025 Jan;27(4):11-13. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2025.27590.
ABSTRACT
In 2023, Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments agreed to work together to improve healthcare across four priority areas and to develop common indicators to measure progress and report back to Canadians. In October 2024, the Canadian Institute for Health Information released Taking the Pulse: Measuring Shared Priorities for Canadian Health Care, 2024, which provides baseline results for 12 of these indicators. Some of the key findings include the following: Eighty-three percent of Canadians report having access to a regular healthcare provider. Half of Canadians referred to publicly funded community mental health counselling waited 25 days or less for their first scheduled session. Only two in five Canadians have accessed their personal health information electronically.
PMID:40406832 | DOI:10.12927/hcq.2025.27590
Healthc Q. 2025 Jan;27(4):7-10. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2025.27591.
ABSTRACT
Across Canada, millions of people are struggling to find a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care clinic and millions more are attached to a clinician who is over the age of 65. Research led by INSPIRE-PHC and analyzed at ICES has demonstrated the growing number of unattached people and their higher likelihood of being of lower income, racialized and having newly arrived in Ontario. Recent stresses include population growth, declining volume of services per physician and decreased attractiveness of comprehensive primary care, while underlying system causes point to the need for organized accountable systems designed to look after the entire population.
PMID:40406831 | DOI:10.12927/hcq.2025.27591