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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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.…”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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“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). …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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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. …”
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European ILD registry algorithm for self-assessment in interstitial lung diseases (eurILDreg ASA-ILD). by Ekaterina Krauss, Laurenz H Claas, Silke Tello, Jennifer Naumann, Sandra Wobisch, Stefan Kuhn, Raphael W Majeed, Karen Moor, Maria Molina-Molina, Oisin Byrne, Rebecca Borton, Marlies S Wijsenbeek, Nik Hirani, Carlo Vancheri, Bruno Crestani, Andreas Guenther, eurILDreg investigators

“…<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study is designed to explore the potential of e-Health technologies, such as home monitoring via spirometry and oximetry, integrated with the eurILDreg ASA-ILD algorithm and patientMpower app, to improve early detection and management of ILD. A pilot trial showed promising adherence to spirometry, indicating that digital health interventions could enhance patient care and outcomes in ILD.…”
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Different Approaches to requesting Consent for Routine data linkage in Neonatal follow-up (ACORN): protocol for a 2×2 factorial randomised trial by Jane E Harding, Barry Milne, Jenny Rogers, Greg Gamble, Jane Marie Alsweiler, Christopher McKinlay, Gavin Brown, Aakash Bajirao Rajay, Caroline Anne Crowther, Nike Franke, Trecia Wouldes

“…The primary outcomes will be rates of consent to linkage of (1) either health or education data and (2) both health and education data. A pilot study indicates the potentially available cohort size of 2110 (80% follow-up of the neonatal trial cohorts) would be adequate to detect an absolute difference of 6%–5%–4% from a baseline consent rate of 70%–85%–90%, respectively (2-tailed alpha 0.05, 90% power). …”
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Comprehensive profiling of gut bacterial communities in hybrid red tilapia with and without streptococcosis by Pathamawan Amthungphong, Natthaphong Sombuttra, Triwit Rattanarojpong, Kanthida Kusonmano, Saengchan Senapin, Satid Chatchaiphan, Watanalai Panbangred, Jirayut Euanorasetr

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Evaluating the implementation of a multicomponent intervention to improve faecal immunochemical test-based (FIT) colorectal cancer screening in primary care by Kamala Adhikari, James Whitworth, Gary F Teare, Muhammad Kashif Mughal, Danica Hignell, Barbara Moysey, Jawad Chishtie

“…More than 90% of providers perceived the intervention implementation as acceptable, feasible and appropriate.The multicomponent FIT intervention was perceived as acceptable, feasible, and appropriate and improved the FIT screening rates in pilot clinics. An implementation guidance document has been developed and tested to communicate the implementation process for use by other primary care clinics and aid in the spread of the intervention across Alberta. …”
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Impact of a new case-based payment scheme on volume distribution across public hospitals in Zhejiang, China: does ‘Same disease, same price’ matter by Meiteng Yu, Jing Liu, Tao Zhang

“…The HHI in Jinhua (β7 = 0.0011, p = 0.043) presented an upward trend during the pilot period of the case-based payment, while the HHI in Hangzhou (β6 = -0.0234, p = 0.021) decreased immediately after the introduction of “same disease, same price”. …”
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