Background: Basic life support (BLS) is the recognition of sudden cardiac arrest and activation of emergency response system, followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and rapid defibrillation. Aim: Our study aimed to determine the level of awareness of the Lebanese University medical students and trainees on BLS, by assessing the association between knowledge, attitude, and practice on BLS, and between the demographic variables and KAP scores. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 330 medical students enrolled at Lebanese University, from year four of general medicine till year five of residency. An online survey was used to collect data about demographic characteristics, knowledge (K), attitudes (A), and practice (P) about BLS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Participants were 52.7% females, 47.3% males, and their mean age was 24 ± 2 years. Of the 330 participants, 38.8% received formal training regarding BLS. Medical students had low knowledge (90%), moderate to good attitudes (71.5%), and low practice (93%) regarding BLS. Multiple linear regression showed that knowledge was positively associated with age (p = 0.001), knowledge and information regarding BLS (p = 0.016), and any formal training/workshop regarding BLS (p = 0.021). Attitude was positively associated with academic year (p = 0.002) and knowledge (p = 0.003). Practice was positively associated with age (p < 0.001) and knowledge (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Most Lebanese University medical students showed low knowledge, moderate to good attitudes, and low practice regarding BLS. We recommend that CPR/BLS should be a core competency across all health care professional programs.

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by decreased bone density, and deterioration in the micro-architectural remodelling of bone tissue, leading to an increased susceptibility to bone fractures. One molecule implicated in bone metabolism is Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1), a pharmacologically targetable immune-checkpoint molecule encoded by the gene Cd274. The aim of this study was to investigate the bone phenotype of Cd274 knockout (KO) mice at 26 weeks of age compared to C57BL/6J control wildtype mice on radiological, histological and biomechanical level. The cortical wall thickness and cortical volume increased, and the trabecular space decreased significantly in both femur and tibia of Cd274 KO mice. Moreover, there was a significant increase in BV/TV and trabecular volume of lumbar vertebrae of Cd274 KO mice. Yield load, stiffness, anorganic amount increased and organic amount decreased significantly in femoral bones of Cd274 KO mice. Additionally, there was a significantly higher number of osteocytes and lower number of osteoclasts in both humerus and lumbar vertebra of Cd274 KO mice. The findings demonstrate that constitutive knockout of Cd274 was associated with significantly increased bone mass and strength. These results—obtained in healthy, skeletally mature constitutive knockout mice—indicate an improved bone phenotype in the absence of Cd274 and thus contrast with previous studies that associate disruption of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, including immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, with bone loss and increased fracture risk. Further studies, particularly in dedicated osteoporosis models, are required to elucidate the influence of CD274 on bone metabolism before translational conclusions can be drawn.

With an incidence of 0.3 per 100,000, spondylodiscitis is a rare condition in children. It is typically bacterial in origin and most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Bone involvement in cat-scratch disease (CSD) due to Bartonella henselae is exceedingly rare, occurring in only 0.17–0.27% of cases. We present the case of a 3-year-old boy with a two-week history of intermittent back pain and a recent onset fever. Initial laboratory findings were unremarkable, and MRI revealed spondylodiscitis at L3/4 without abscess formation. Empirical antibiotic treatment with ampicillin/sulbactam showed no clinical response. Serologic testing revealed a positive Bartonella henselae IgM (IgG negative), leading to a change in antibiotic treatment to azithromycin and rifampicin for three weeks, resulting in rapid clinical improvement. Follow-up at nine weeks showed marked clinical and radiologic improvement. Although IgM subsequently turned negative without IgG seroconversion—a pattern previously described in Bartonella infections—this does not exclude the diagnosis. Biopsy or tissue PCR was not performed due to the mild clinical course. A review of the literature identified 28 pediatric cases of Bartonella henselae spondylodiscitis, with significant variation in diagnostic and treatment approaches. This case underscores the importance of considering Bartonella in the differential diagnosis of pediatric vertebral osteomyelitis.