Crossed Screws Versus Plating Supplemented with an Interfragmentary Screw in First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) fusion an effective surgical intervention for conditions such as hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare safety and efficacy of crossed screws versus plating supplemented with an interfragmentary screw. A literature search of the Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases was performed to identify all studies directly comparing the two techniques.

Cell deconvolution-based integrated time-series network of whole blood transcriptome reveals systemic antiviral activities and cell-specific immunological changes against PRRSV infection.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes significant economic losses in the swine industry. However, the molecular mechanisms behind the common and cell type-specific systemic responses during PRRS virus (PRRSV) infection are not well understood. In this study, we collected viremia data, antibody levels, and whole-blood RNA-seq data obtained from eight PRRSV-infected piglets.

Regional and institutional trends in assessment for academic promotion.

The assessment of research performance is widely seen as a vital tool in upholding the highest standards of quality, with selection and competition believed to drive progress. Academic institutions need to take critical decisions on hiring and promotion, while facing external pressure by also being subject to research assessment. Here we present an outlook on research assessment for career progression with specific focus on promotion to full professorship, based on 314 policies from 190 academic institutions and 218 policies from 58 government agencies, covering 32 countries in the Global North and 89 countries in the Global South.

Bone-Induced Her2 Promotes Secondary Metastasis in HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer.

Bone metastases can disseminate to secondary sites and promote breast cancer progression creating additional clinical challenges. The mechanisms contributing to secondary metastasis are barely understood. Here, we evaluate the prediction power of Her2-expressing (Her2E) circulating tumor cells (CTCs) after analyzing over 13,000 CTCs from a cohort of 137 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients with initial HR+/Her2- status and employ preclinical models of bone metastasis (BM) to validate the role of Her2E CTCs in multi-organ metastases.

Rare variant associations with birth weight identify genes involved in adipose tissue regulation, placental function and insulin-like growth factor signalling.

Investigating the genetic factors influencing human birth weight may lead to biological insights into fetal growth and long-term health. We report analyses of rare variants that impact birth weight when carried by either fetus or mother, using whole exome sequencing data in up to 234,675 participants. Rare protein-truncating and deleterious missense variants are collapsed to perform gene burden tests.