ABSTRACT Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) primarily affects Caucasian populations, with the highest prevalence in countries like Ireland, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Despite significant improvements in survival, pulmonary insufficiency remains the leading cause of death. Factors such as nutrition, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) infection, genotype, pancreatic status, and cystic fibrosis‐related diabetes affect pulmonary function across age groups. Objective This review examines disparities in CF care and outcomes between high‐income countries (HICs) and low‐income countries (LICs), focusing on the impact of CFTR modulators like Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) and challenges in accessing care in LICs. Methods Data from the European CF Society Patient Registry and studies on CF outcomes across regions were reviewed to assess survival trends, pulmonary function, and infection rates among people with CF (pwCF). The effects of CFTR modulator therapies, particularly for F508del carriers, were also evaluated. Results In HICs, improvements in survival rates and pulmonary function have been noted, especially with the use of CFTR modulators like ETI. However, in LICs, challenges like limited access to therapies, delayed diagnosis, poor nutrition, and high PsA infection rates lead to poorer outcomes. In regions with fewer F508del carriers, access to care and medications is further limited, exacerbating disparities. Conclusion Although CF treatment advancements have improved outcomes in many pwCF, these benefits are not evenly distributed globally. Efforts to improve CF care in LICs, such as increasing awareness, ensuring access to therapies, and establishing specialized clinics, are essential to bridging this gap.
ABSTRACT Background Risk factors for progression of adenovirus (AdV)‐associated bronchiolitis (AdV‐B) to post‐infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO) are poorly defined. We aimed to investigate this in a multicenter cohort. Methods A multicenter hospital‐based analysis included children admitted with AdV‐B in Jerusalem during 2016–2022. A case‐control analysis included AdV‐PIBO patients in Jerusalem during 2005–2023. Cases were compared to randomly assigned controls admitted with AdV‐B without progression to AdV‐PIBO. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was used. Results The annual incidence of AdV‐B admissions and AdV‐PIBO increased during 2016–2022, during which 1522 children were admitted with AdV‐B and 8 developed AdV‐PIBO (0.5%). Of 30 AdV‐PIBO cases identified during 2005–2023, available data were compared for 25 of them (72% boys; mean age ± standard deviation 1.2 ± 0.8 years) and 139 controls (66% boys; mean age 1.0 ± 0.6 years, p = 0.5 for age). Jewish ethnicity was more common in the AdV‐PIBO versus control group (92% vs. 66%, p = 0.009), as were oxygen supplementation (84% vs. 45%, p < 0.001), noninvasive ventilation (20% vs. 4%, p = 0.004), consolidations on chest X‐ray (44% vs. 19%, p = 0.011), and lymphopenia (92% vs. 46%, p < 0.001). Combining Jewish ethnicity, lymphopenia, consolidations, and prolonged admission as independent risk factors yielded positive and negative predictive values of 68.8% and 90.5%, respectively. Conclusion These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted preventive and management strategies. The identification of Jewish ethnicity as a risk factor may imply a genetic contribution to Adv‐PIBO risk.
Infrared light management is crucial to maximize the optical performance of crystalline Si‐based single junction and tandem solar cells. For this end, a low refractive index dielectric is typically inserted under the rear metal and an electrical contact is obtained locally through the dielectric. However, the realization of such an architecture can require numerous fabrication steps that are time and resource intensive. Herein, a simple approach is proposed in which commercially available, low‐cost SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) are spin coated as rear reflectors on pyramid‐textured Si, leaving the pyramid tips locally exposed for direct contact by an electrode without additional patterning. In Si heterojunction solar cells, complementing a 40 nm‐thick indium tin oxide (ITO) layer with the SiO 2 ‐NPs yields a gain of 0.3 mA cm −2 in short‐circuit current density compared to that obtained with a bare, 100 nm‐thick ITO layer. Combined with reduced electrical losses, power conversion efficiency gains of 0.5% abs to 0.3% abs for single junction Si and perovskite‐Si tandem cells are demonstrated, respectively. Finally, it is shown that the NPs can also be processed on large areas via blade coating and that the process can be further simplified by a change in the fabrication sequence of the SiO 2 ‐NP and ITO layers.
In this work, the effects of luminescent coupling (LC) on the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of perovskite‐silicon tandem (PST) solar cells are quantified by means of monochromatic transient photocurrent measurements and comprehensive optoelectronic simulations that take into account both optical and electrical coupling of the subcells. It is shown that, at short wavelengths, a similar response results from both LC and silicon bottom‐cell shunts. The two contributions can be discriminated and quantified based on bias voltage and light intensity‐dependent measurements. Such measurements were conducted on state‐of‐the‐art PST cells and agree well with the behavior predicted by the simulations. For the case of polychromatic EQE simulations, a quenching of the LC effects with decreasing concentration of mobile ions is found, which is explained in terms of ion‐modulated recombination via bulk defects.
ABSTRACT Ocular squamous cell carcinoma represents the most prevalent form of cancer in cattle and exerts a deleterious effect on animal welfare and breeders. This study sought to elucidate the relationship between DNA damage and apoptosis with the aim of advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Nine bovine tissue samples with suspected ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. The taken tissue samples, in histopathological examinations by haematoxylin‐eosin (HE), staining revealed the presence of neoplastic cells exhibiting various grades of differentiation. It observed the presence of polygonal or ovoid‐shaped cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and vesicular cytoplasm, as well as mitotic figures and bizarre giant cells. Islets and caudal extensions of the tumour cells were observed to contain keratin deposits. Immunohistochemical staining of OSCC tissues was performed using γ‐H2AX for DNA double‐strand breaks, 8‐OHdG for DNA oxidation and CASP‐3 biomarkers for nuclear apoptosis. The immunohistochemical examination demonstrated that the expression of ‐H2AX and 8‐OHdG was markedly elevated, while CASP‐3 expression was relatively diminished in aggressive tumours. In contrast, the opposite was observed in low‐grade tumours. This study is the first to report DNA double‐stranded breaks in eye cancers, and it has also shown that DNA helix breaks and guanine oxidation are effective in cancer pathogenesis. It has also been determined that apoptotic defence reactions due to DNA damage are reduced. In light of these findings, we made a significant contribution to the development of BOSCC carcinogenesis.
Abstract Feline obesity, a global concern, poses health risks and affects the well‐being of cats. This case report explores an innovative treatment for feline obesity using intragastric botulinum toxin‐A injections in a cat that did not respond favourably to conventional methods. A 3‐year‐old, tabby cat, weighing 8.480 kg, exhibited excessive appetite and lameness, with a body condition score of 9. Despite a year of conventional management and dietary supplements, no significant improvement was observed, and an alternative technique to conventional treatment was performed. Under anaesthesia and gastroscopic guidance, 24 units of botulinum toxin‐A were injected subserosally into the antrum. Six months after intervention, the cat's weight reduced to 4.220 kg, with a body condition score of 5, indicating excellent health. The present approach may offer an alternative to traditional obesity management, but further research is required to assess its full potential.
ABSTRACT In the global response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, countries aimed to reduce morbidity and mortality by enhancing contagion control and treatment efficiency. Efficiency levels varied significantly across countries due to differences in resources, intervention strategies, and contextual factors. This study analyzes 144 WHO member countries to classify them based on preparedness and resources, measure efficiency in contagion control and treatment, and identify determinants of efficiency. A three‐stage approach was applied. First, countries were clustered using the k‐means algorithm based on development‐related indicators, including the Human Development Index, Statistical Performance Index, and Global Health Security Index. Second, contagion control and treatment efficiency were assessed using Data Envelopment Analysis. For contagion control efficiency, input variables included non‐pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions, with cases per million as the output. Treatment efficiency was evaluated using health expenditure, hospital beds, and health workforce as inputs, and case fatality rate as the output. Finally, Classification and Regression Trees and Random Forest algorithms were used to determine variables influencing efficiency. The clustering process resulted in two country groups. Findings reveal that health expenditure, urban population percentage, and GDP per capita were significant variables for contagion control efficiency in the first cluster, while testing rates, health expenditure, and GDP per capita were important in the second cluster. For treatment efficiency, land borders, vaccination rates, and GDP per capita emerged as key influencing factors. These findings identify key drivers of efficiency and offer practical guidance for countries to enhance their preparedness and adapt strategies for future global health crises.