In Vivo and In Vitro Study of a Polylactide-Fiber-Reinforced β-Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Cage in an Ovine Anterior Cervical Intercorporal Fusion Model by Janek Frantzén, Aliisa Pälli, Esa Kotilainen, Harri Heino, Bettina Mannerström, Heini Huhtala, Hannu Kuokkanen, George K. Sándor, Kari Leino, Matias Röyttä, Riitta Parkkola, Riitta Suuronen, Susanna Miettinen, Hannu T. Aro, Suvi Haimi

“…A poly-70L/30DL-lactide (PLA70)–β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite implant reinforced by continuous PLA-96L/4D-lactide (PLA96) fibers was designed for in vivo spinal fusion. The pilot study was performed with four sheep, using titanium cage implants as controls. …”
Get full text

Multisensory Stimulation in Rehabilitation of Dementia: A Systematic Review by Andrea Calderone, Angela Marra, Rosaria De Luca, Desirèe Latella, Francesco Corallo, Angelo Quartarone, Francesco Tomaiuolo, Rocco Salvatore Calabrò

“…This review has been registered on Open OSF (n) 3KUQX. <b>Results</b>: Pilot studies investigating MSS interventions, encompassing Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), Sonas therapy, and combined physical–cognitive exercise programs, have yielded mixed findings in individuals with dementia. …”
Get full text

Formulation and characterization of CMPI nanoparticles for enhanced targeting of brain nicotinic receptors by positive allosteric modulator by Rahma Aly, Shoukath Sulthana, Robert Beaudoin, Ayman K. Hamouda, Santosh Aryal

“…These NPs were found to be highly biocompatible when challenged against the human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK-293) cell line that stably expressed α4β2 (HEK-α4β2) nAChRs in a wide range of concentrations. In this pilot study, NPs were further labeled with Alexa fluorophore to track and study cellular uptake using fluorescence microscopy, which showed efficient uptake by HEK-α4β2 cells. …”
Get full text

Smokeless tobacco: knowledge, attitudes and usage in Pakistan by Hammad Atif Irshad, Sajjan Raja, Hamzah Jehanzeb, Wamiq Ali Shaikh, Umair Saleem, Shahzil Abdur Rehman Malik, Akmal Shahzad, Mamoon Shaikh, Nousheen Iqbal, Javaid Ahmed Khan

“…Convenience sampling was used to disseminate, and expert approval was sought followed by a pilot study to validate the questionnaire. A comprehensive questionnaire was developed using elements from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey and other tools which had previously been utilized within Pakistan. …”
Get full text

Using a co-design approach to develop a Preventative Online Mental Health Program for Youth (POMHPY): a quality improvement project by Elnaz Moghimi, Kimberly Belfry, Sarah Farr, Shavon Stafford, Arina Bogdan, Megan Brush, Christopher Canning, Soyeon Kim

“…Conclusions The findings highlight the value of co-design and PAR-informed approaches in developing youth-targeted online wellbeing programs, providing actionable insights for iterative improvements and future pilot testing. The resulting 6-week program, led by youth facilitators, will focus on teaching mental, social, and physical wellness strategies and skills through various evidence-based, interactive activities.…”
Get full text

Comparative analysis of counter-current and co-current downer reactors using particle image velocimetry and computational particle-fluid dynamics by Talal A. Aldugman, Mengmeng Cui, Abdulrahman Alzailaie, Abdullah Alhareth, Kenneth Langley, Lujain Alfilfil, Khalid Almajnouni, Jorge Gascon, Sigurdur Thoroddsen, Pedro Castaño

“…We investigated the hydrodynamics in co- and counter-current downer operations using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational particle fluid dynamics simulations (CPFD). Pilot-scale experiments were conducted for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and sand, which verified the system stability and provided the validation basis for the simulation strategy. …”
Get full text

High quality genome assembly of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) with chromosome-level scaffolding by Michell, Craig, Collins, Joanna, Laine, Pia K., Fekete, Zsófia, Tapanainen, Riikka, Wood, Jonathan M. D., Goffart, Steffi, Pohjoismäki, Jaakko L. O.

“…This brown hare genome represents the first Finnish contribution to the European Reference Genome Atlas pilot effort to generate reference genomes for European biodiversity. …”
Get full text

3D modeling to predict vascular involvement in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma by Sguinzi R, Vidal J, Poroes F, Bartolucci DA, Litchinko A, Gossin E, Fingerhut A, Toso C, Buhler L, Egger B

“…Tumor extension was also more accurately evaluated by 3D modeling than by 2D-CT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our pilot study demonstrates that 3D segmentation can provide additional information for choosing the best treatment strategy and surgical plain in patients with BR-PDAC. …”
Get full text

Development of a multi-laboratory integrated predictive model for silicosis utilizing machine learning: a retrospective case-control study by Guo-kang Sun, Yun-hui Xiang, Lu Wang, Pin-pin Xiang, Zi-xin Wang, Jing Zhang, Ling Wu

“…ObjectiveDue to the high global prevalence of silicosis and the ongoing challenges in its diagnosis, this pilot study aims to screen biomarkers from routine blood parameters and develop a multi-biomarker model for its early detection.MethodsA case-control study was conducted to screen biomarkers for the diagnosis of silicosis using LASSO regression, SVM and RF. …”
Get full text

Intraspinal Transplantation of the Adipose Tissue-Derived Regenerative Cells in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Accordance with the Current Experts’ Recommendations: Choosing Opti... by Magdalena Kuzma-Kozakiewicz, Andrzej Marchel, Anna Kaminska, Malgorzata Gawel, Jan Sznajder, Anna Figiel-Dabrowska, Arkadiusz Nowak, Edyta Maj, Natalia Ewa Krzesniak, Bartlomiej H. Noszczyk, Krystyna Domanska-Janik, Anna Sarnowska

“…They combine clinical, neurophysiological, and functional assessment together with monitoring of the cytokine level. Here, we describe a pilot study on transplantation of autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRC) into the spinal cord of the patients with ALS and monitoring of the results in accordance with the current recommendations. …”
Get full text

Development and Evaluation of a Mental Health Chatbot Using ChatGPT 4.0: Mixed Methods User Experience Study With Korean Users by Boyoung Kang, Munpyo Hong

“…MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods pilot study with 20 Korean young adults aged 18 to 27 (mean 23.3, SD 1.96) years. …”
Get full text

Human exploitation of adult horseshoe crab and public awareness campaign in Hong Kong SAR, China by Pui Yi Tang, Hei Wut Fong, Shan Yee Lee, Wing Tung Chang, Lee Yan Pang, Tin Yan Hui, Kelvin Jun Yin So

“…To alleviate the situation, a pilot public awareness campaign was launched to increase public awareness and promote the conservation of horseshoe crabs in Hong Kong. …”
Get full text

“It's hard to talk to a computer, I get it”: An exploratory analysis of clinician connection-building communication practices in rural telepalliative care encounters by Elise C. Tarbi, Natalie Ambrose, Eric C. Anderson, Rebecca N. Hutchinson, Paul K.J. Han, Maija Reblin, Robert Gramling

“…Methods: We analyzed data from the Northern New England Palliative Care TeleConsult Research Study – a formative mixed-methods pilot study at two academic medical centers in rural US states with patients with serious illness (2019–2020). …”
Get full text

Valorisation of plastic waste from the beverage industry through its transformation into adsorbent and solid fuel materials by Nouira, Asma, Bekri-Abbes, Imene, Srasra, Ezzeddine, Cansado, Isabel P. P., Mourão, Paulo A. M.

“…In the present study, char and activated carbon (AC) materials were prepared from water bottles, recuperated from the waste collection point in Mourouj, Ben Arous, Tunisia, by using a rotative horizontal tubular furnace, on a lab/pilot scale and through chemical and physical activation. …”
Get full text

Preferences of people with type 2 diabetes for telemedical lifestyle programmes in Germany: protocol of a discrete choice experiment by Veronika Gontscharuk, Andrea Icks, Michael Roden, Markus Vomhof, Sandra Grobosch, Jana Sommer, Jan Dyczmons

“…To develop the design of the DCE, we conducted pilot work involving healthcare experts and in particular people with T2DM using cognitive pretesting. …”
Get full text

The Effect of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma on Endometrial Receptivity: A Narrative Review by Milan Stefanović, Predrag Vukomanović, Ranko Kutlesic, Milan Trenkić, Vanja Dimitrov, Aleksa Stefanović, Vladimir Cvetanović

“…Obtained articles were screened, and suited studies (randomized controlled trials, case reports, case series, pilot studies, and reviews) were included in the present review. …”
Get full text

Determinants of school-going adolescent girls’ health and nutritional status in district Malir, Karachi: a baseline cross-sectional study by Saira Zafar, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, Zoha Imtiaz Malik, Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad

“…Improving adolescent girls’ nutrition is crucial for breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, but research in Pakistan has largely focused on children under five and pregnant women, often neglecting this vulnerable group.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the contextual and sociodemographic factors contributing toward undernutrition to improve the health and nutritional status of adolescent girls.MethodsA school based cross sectional study was conducted as the baseline survey for a mixed methods study leading to a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial. n = 84 girls (10–14 years) from two public schools were selected by simple random sampling. …”
Get full text

Reliability of the Second and Third Iterations of the Sensory–Motor Dysfunction Questionnaire in a Subclinical Neck Pain Population by Ushani Ambalavanar, Heidi Haavik, Nitika Kumari, Imran Amjad, Nooshin Khobzi Rotondi, Bernadette Ann Murphy

“…Background/Objectives: This study aimed to address limitations of the pilot reliability study on the Sensory–Motor Dysfunction Questionnaire (SMD-Q) in two parts. …”
Get full text

Development and validation of the Information Literacy Measurement Scale (ILMS-34) in Chinese public health practitioners by Hui Li, Ke-Ying Li, Xia-Rong Hu, Xuan Hong, Yan-Ting He, Hua-Wei Xiong, Yi-Li Zhang

“…Methods A 34-item Information Literacy Measurement Scale (ILMS-34) for PHPs was developed based on an extensive literature review, the Delphi method, and pilot testing. The ILMS-34 was further validated among 526 PHPs recruited from four cities in Guangdong Province, China, using convenience sampling. …”
Get full text

Development of a Web-Based Intervention for Middle Managers to Enhance Resilience at the Individual, Team, and Organizational Levels in Health Care Systems: Multiphase Study by Eva Gil-Hernández, Irene Carrillo, Jimmy Martin-Delgado, Daniel García-Torres, José Joaquín Mira

“…MethodsAn observational study was conducted in 3 phases: design, validation, and pilot study. The study was initiated in February 2022 and concluded in June 2023. …”
Get full text