THE SOLANUM TUBEROSUM KNOWLEDGE BASE: THE SECTION ON MOLECULAR-GENETIC REGULATION OF METABOLIC PATHWAYS by T. V. Ivanisenko, O. V. Saik, P. S. Demenkov, V. K. Khlestkin, E. K. Khlestkina, N A. Kolchanov, V. А. Ivanisenko

“…Previously we have developed a pilot version of the SOLANUM TUBEROSUM knowledge base. …”
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Cause-Effect Relationships between Painful TMD and Postural and Functional Changes in the Musculoskeletal System: A Preliminary Report by Adam Andrzej Garstka, Monika Brzózka, Aleksandra Bitenc-Jasiejko, Roman Ardan, Helena Gronwald, Piotr Skomro, Danuta Lietz-Kijak

“…Since there is no DC/TMD protocol in Polish to date, RDC/TMD was used in the study. Results. Initial pilot studies and the authors’ observations indicated that the positioning of the mandibular heads in the articular pits and stabilization of the condylar process by providing the oral cavity with a temporary, silicone occlusive splint significantly influenced the posture of the examined patients, both while standing and during locomotion. …”
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Frailty assessment tools for use by surgeons when evaluating older adults prior to surgery: a scoping review protocol by Duminda N Wijeysundera, Andrea C Tricco, Martine T E Puts, Shabbir M H Alibhai, Teruko Kishibe, Tyler R Chesney, Julian F Daza, Camilla Wong, Karim Shiraz Ladha, Samuel Dubé

“…We will exclude tools not assessed in clinical practice, or using laboratory or radiologic values alone. After pilot testing, two reviewers will independently assess information sources for eligibility first by titles and abstracts, then by full-text review. …”
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A genomic strategy for precision medicine in rare diseases: integrating customized algorithms into clinical practice by Cristina Méndez-Vidal, Nereida Bravo-Gil, Javier Pérez-Florido, Irene Marcos-Luque, Raquel M. Fernández, José Luis Fernández-Rueda, María González-del Pozo, Marta Martín-Sánchez, Elena Fernández-Suárez, Marcela Mena, Rosario Carmona, Joaquín Dopazo, Salud Borrego, Guillermo Antiñolo

“…Here, we describe a personalized NGS-based strategy integrating precision medicine into a public healthcare system and its implementation in the routine diagnosis process during a five-year pilot program. Methods Our approach involved customized probe designs, the generation of virtual panels and the development of a personalized medicine module (PMM) for variant prioritization. …”
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Evaluating the feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of next-generation molecular methods for pleural infection diagnosis by Peter T. Bell, Timothy Baird, John Goddard, Olusola S. Olagoke, Andrew Burke, Shradha Subedi, Tiana R. Davey, James Anderson, Derek S. Sarovich, Erin P. Price

“…However, we encountered challenges that complicated pleural infection interpretation, including: (i) uncertainties regarding microbial pathogenicity and the impact of prior antibiotic therapy on diagnostic performance; (ii) lack of a clinical diagnostic gold-standard for molecular performance comparisons; (iii) potential microbial contamination during specimen collection or processing; and (iv) difficulties distinguishing background microbial noise from true microbial signal in low-biomass specimens. This pilot study demonstrates the potential utility and value of molecular methods in diagnosing pleural infection and highlights key concepts and challenges that should be addressed when designing larger prospective trials.IMPORTANCEConfident pleural infection diagnosis is often challenging due to low culture positivity rates, frequent polymicrobial involvement, and non-specific diagnostic biomarkers. …”
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An App-Based Intervention With Behavioral Support to Promote Brisk Walking in People Diagnosed With Breast, Prostate, or Colorectal Cancer (APPROACH): Process Evaluation Study by Fiona Kennedy, Susan Smith, Rebecca J Beeken, Caroline Buck, Sarah Williams, Charlene Martin, Phillippa Lally, Abi Fisher

“… BackgroundThe APPROACH pilot study explored the feasibility and acceptability of an app (NHS Active 10) with brief, habit-based, behavioral support calls and print materials intended to increase brisk walking in people diagnosed with cancer. …”
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Efficacy of the Foodbot Factory digital curriculum-based nutrition education intervention in improving children’s nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in elementary school... by Wendy Lou, Michael Farkouh, JoAnne Arcand, Jacqueline Marie Brown, Saman Tahir, Beatriz Franco-Arellano, Ann LeSage, Janette Hughes, Bill Kapralos, Ellen Vogel, Claire Tugault-Lafleur

“…The Foodbot Factory intervention, consisting of serious game (ie, a digital game designed for education) and curriculum-based lesson plans, was developed to support teachers and children ages 8–12 with nutrition education. Pilot data have demonstrated that Foodbot Factory can significantly improve children’s nutrition knowledge, but it has not yet been evaluated in classrooms.Methods and analysis A single-blinded cluster randomised controlled trial was designed in 2022 by a research team based at Ontario Tech University to determine the efficacy of the Foodbot Factory intervention in improving children’s nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. 32 grade 4 and 4/5 classrooms in Ontario will be randomised to receive (1) the Foodbot Factory intervention or (2) a control nutrition education intervention using conventional materials (eg, activity sheets). …”
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Economic and relationship-strengthening intervention to reduce alcohol use in couples living with HIV in Malawi: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of Mlambe by Torsten B Neilands, Lynae A Darbes, James Mkandawire, Derek S Brown, Fred M Ssewamala, Judith A Hahn, Amy A Conroy, Nancy Mulauzi, Scott Tebbetts

“…To test this hypothesis, we will test Mlambe, an economic and relationship-strengthening intervention, found to be feasible and acceptable in a pilot study in Malawi. We will conduct a full-scale, randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Mlambe.Methods and analysis We will enrol 250 adult married couples having at least one partner living with HIV and reporting heavy alcohol use. …”
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Multicentre, 26-week, open-label phase 2 trial of the JAK inhibitor filgotinib in Behçet’s disease, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and IgG4-related disease: DRIMID study protoc... by Sander W Tas, Joost Raaphorst, Paco M J Welsing, Jacob M van Laar, Rogier M Thurlings, Robbert J Goekoop, César Magro Checa, Jan A M van Laar, Bettina C Geertsema-Hoeve, Nicolle H Rekers, Erik Present

“…The Drug Rediscovery in IMIDs (DRIMID) consortium aims to conduct a prospective pilot basket trial to investigate the effects of filgotinib, a JAK1 preferential inhibitor approved for ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, on disease activity, quality of life and safety in patients with refractory BD, IIM and IgG4-RD.Methods and analysis In this investigator-initiated, multicentre, open-label phase 2 study, up to 60 patients with rare IMIDs will be enrolled for a 26-week treatment period with filgotinib 200 mg once daily. …”
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Ten days of supplementation with a standardized Boswellia serrata extract attenuates soreness and accelerates recovery after repeated bouts of downhill running in recreationally ac... by Dawna Salter, Himana Yalamanchi, Aiswarya Yalamanchi, Amulya Yalamanchi

“…It is unknown whether the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of B. serrata extend to muscle and joint pain resulting from high-impact eccentric exercise. This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of a standardized B. serrata extract LI51202F1 (SBS) to decrease soreness and improve recovery after repeated bouts of downhill running (DHR) compared to placebo (PLA). …”
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Cohort profile: Noncommunicable diseases and ideal cardiovascular health among people living with and without HIV in Zambia and Zimbabwe (NCDzz cohort) by Gilles Wandeler, Samuel Bosomprah, Cleophas Chimbetete, Belinda Varaidzo Chihota, Guy Muula, Carolyn Bolton-Moore, Tinei Shamu, Ardele Mandiriri, Esau Banda

“…Additionally, we seek to pilot NCD interventions using novel methodologies like the trials within cohorts. …”
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Fecal microbiome change in patients with ulcerative colitis after fecal microbiota transplantation by A. Y. Tikunov, V. V. Morozov, A. N. Shvalov, A. V. Bardasheva, E. V. Shrayner, O. A. Maksimova, I. O. Voloshina, V. V. Morozova, V. V. Vlasov, N. V. Tikunova

“…Currently, this procedure is recognized as an efficacious method to normalize the intestinal microbiota mainly in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In Russia, pilot studies of the effectiveness of FT in patients with ulcerative colitis have been conducted for several years, and these studies were started in Novosibirsk. …”
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Head-mounted camera as a debriefing tool for surgical simulation-based training: a randomized controlled study in Senegal by Abdourahmane Ndong, Adja C. Diallo, Armaun D. Rouhi, Diago A. Dia, Sebastian Leon, Cheikhou Dieng, Mohamed L. Diao, Jacques N. Tendeng, Noel N. Williams, Mamadou Cissé, Kristoffel R. Dumon, Ibrahima Konaté

“…Both groups reported increased confidence in performing the task (control group: p = 0.003; camera group: p = 0.0029) and had positive perceptions of the workshop’s effectiveness. Conclusion This pilot study suggests that video feedback with a head-mounted camera is feasible and effective for debriefing during intestinal anastomosis simulation training in a low-resource setting, offering a low-cost, effective way to enhance technical skills. …”
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Forty years of HIV infection and AIDS in Taiwan: Reflection on the past and looking toward the future by Sung-Hsi Huang, Hsun-Yin Huang, Stephane Wen-Wei Ku, Po-Hsien Kuo, Kuan-Yin Lin, Guan-Jhou Chen, Chia-Chi Lee, Yen-Fang Huang, Chien-Ching Hung

“…The sequential introduction of well-tolerated, effective, single-tablet antiretroviral regimens has facilitated the implementation of “treat-all” policy in 2016, rapid ART initiation within 7 days of diagnosis in 2018, and same-day ART initiation in 2021 when immunochromatography was used for rapid confirmation of HIV infection. Government-funded pilot program of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection, which was launched in 2016 followed by wider enrollment of people at high risk for HIV acquisition in 2018, have contributed to sustained declines of the incidence of HIV infection since 2018, along with high rates of linkage to HIV care, ART initiation, viral suppression, and retention in care in Taiwan. …”
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Efficacy & safety of brolucizumab 6.0 mg versus 3.6 mg in diabetic macular edema by Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Pradeep Kumar, Amrita Joshi, Aman Saraf, Abhijeet Awasthi, Supriya Dhar, Khaleel M, Atul Kumar, Vipin Rana, Ravi D

“…Method A prospective, pilot randomised controlled, single centre, double blinded, two arm comparative study was conducted between Dec 2022 to Apr 2024. …”
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Who Are Suitable Patients for Omitting Breast Surgery as an Exceptional Responder in Selected Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Systemic Treatment? by Ebru Sen, Mehmet Ali Nazlı, Göktürk Maralcan, Bekir Sıtkı Said Ulusoy, Mahmut Kaan Demircioğlu, Tuce Söylemez Akkurt, Mehmet Sökücü, Gökmen Umut Erdem, Mustafa Yıldırım

“…<i>Materials and Methods</i>: This two-centre, observational, single-arm, prospective, pilot study was conducted between January and September 2024. …”
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Development and feasibility testing of a new device for home-based leg heat therapy in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease by Bohyun Ro, MSc, John P. Spence, BBA, Paul A. Spence, MD, Christian Buckley, BS, Raghu L. Motaganahalli, MD, Bruno T. Roseguini, PhD

“…The prototype's feasibility and safety were evaluated in a single-arm pilot trial with six symptomatic patients with PAD, who were asked to apply the therapy daily for 90 minutes for 12 weeks. …”
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Cross-Platform Ecological Momentary Assessment App (JTrack-EMA+): Development and Usability Study by Mehran Sahandi Far, Jona M Fischer, Svea Senge, Robin Rathmakers, Thomas Meissner, Dominik Schneble, Mamaka Narava, Simon B Eickhoff, Juergen Dukart

“…ResultsWe investigated our platform in a pilot study with 480 days of follow-up to assess participants’ compliance. …”
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Separation of Short-Chain Fatty Acids from Primary Sludge into a Particle-Free Permeate by Coupling Chamber Filter-Press and Cross-Flow Microfiltration: Optimization, Semi-Continuo... by Nikhil Shylaja Prakash, Peter Maurer, Harald Horn, Florencia Saravia, Andrea Hille-Reichel

“…However, high concentrations of solids with SCFAs in hydrolyzed sludge can be highly detrimental to downstream recovery processes. This pilot-scale study addresses this limitation and explores the recovery of SCFAs from primary sludge into a particle-free permeate through a combination of chamber filter-press (material: polyester; mesh size: 100 µm) and cross-flow microfiltration (material: α-Al₂O₃; pore size: 0.2 µm; cross-flow velocity: 3 m∙s⁻¹; pressure = 2.2 bars). …”
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Microvascular dysfunction in a murine model of Alzheimer’s disease using intravital microscopy by Danielle Sidsworth, Noah Tregobov, Noah Tregobov, Colin Jamieson, Jennifer Reutens-Hernandez, Joshua Yoon, Geoffrey W. Payne, Geoffrey W. Payne, Stephanie L. Sellers, Stephanie L. Sellers, Stephanie L. Sellers, Stephanie L. Sellers

“…Of note, vascular dysfunction, encompassing both cerebral and peripheral circulation, has been implicated in AD pathogenesis. This pilot study used intravital microscopy to assess differences in responsiveness of gluteal muscle arterioles between a transgenic AD mouse model (APP/PS1; Tg) and wild-type (C57BL/6; WT) mice to further elucidate the role of vascular dysfunction in AD. …”
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