Nicking Activity of M13 Bacteriophage Protein 2.

Gene II Protein (Gp2/P2) is a nicking enzyme of the M13 bacteriophage that plays a role in the DNA replication of the viral genome. P2 recognizes a specific sequence at the f1 replication origin and nicks one of the strands and starts replication. This study was conducted to address the limitations of previous experiments, improve methodologies, and precisely determine the biochemical activity conditions of the P2 enzyme in vitro.

Lorlatinib Induced Blindness: A Rare Entity.

Lorlatinib is a central nervous system (CNS) penetrant third generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for the first line management of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement [1] which accounts for 3-5% of NSCLC cases [2]. The most commonly reported side effects include hyperlipidemia, edema, peripheral neuropathy and CNS effects [2]. While ocular side effects such as photopsia, blurred vision, vitreous floaters and diplopia have been documented with another ALK TKI, crizotinib, there are few reports of such effects with lorlatinib [3].

Anti-angiogenic effects of cationic zinc (II) phthalocyanine derivatives through photodynamic therapy.

In this study, the in vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of two zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPc1 and ZnPc2) was systematically examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, focusing on PDT-induced cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and inhibition of angiogenic processes. Both the ZnPcs demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity in the absence of light, confirming their safety as photosensitizers. ZnPc-PDT led to significant cell death via apoptosis.

Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Nationwide Retrospective Turkish Oncology Group Study.

Following the results of the phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab, a humanized IgG4 kappa monoclonal antibody, in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a new standard of care for high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Elevating precision: A thorough investigation of multiparametric prostate MRI for prolonged insights into early continence prediction after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Background: While radical prostatectomy stands out as one of the most effective curative treatments for prostate cancer, it does come with annoying side effects, such as urinary incontinence (UI). We aimed to investigate the predictability of UI using MRI measurements, along with clinical and disease-related variables.

Methods: We included 191 patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between July 2020 and October 2022 in the study.

Esports buffs: the perceived role of fans and fandoms in U.S. collegiate programs.

Introduction: Collegiate esports-organized competitive gaming-has expanded rapidly in the United States, drawing in student players, broadcasters, and support staff, as well as university employees. Universities have invested financially in esports, hoping to capitalize on gaming fandom to attract prospective students and enhance campus community integration. Little research, however, addresses collegiate esports fandom in depth.

Garlic Extract Increased Acrylamide Formation in French Fries Obtained by Different Cooking Methods.

Fried potato products are the largest dietary source of acrylamide, a potential carcinogen formed at high temperatures. Previous studies suggested that garlic powder could decrease the development of acrylamide; however, there has not been much focus on the effect of garlic extract. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of garlic extract exposure on the development of acrylamide in French fries in popular home cooking techniques such as pan-frying, air-frying, and oven-frying.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Experience.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving treatment option providing cardiopulmonary support when standard therapies prove insufficient for reversible diseases. The mean objective of this study was to evaluate our center's experience with ECMO following pediatric cardiac surgery. This retrospective study was conducted in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between November 2014 and March 2021 and included patients who received ECMO following cardiac surgery.

Percutaneous Tracheostomy Via Grigg's Technique in Children: Does Age and Size Matter?

Objectives: Percutaneous tracheostomy is rarely performed in children, especially in infants. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the complications and outcomes of PT via the Griggs technique according to the age and size of pediatric patients.

Methods: This study included 110 PICU patients who underwent PT using the Griggs technique between 2012 and 2020.

Peptosome: A New Efficient Transfection Tool as an Alternative to Liposome.

Gene therapy is one of the most promising techniques for treating genetic diseases and cancer. The current most important problem in gene therapy is gene delivery. Viral and non-viral vectors like liposomes, used for gene delivery, have many limitations.

The Efficiency of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma in Pediatric Patients with Blunt Torso Trauma.

Introduction: Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) has attracted attention for its use in the detection of intra-abdominal pathology for pediatric patients. However, computed tomography (CT) remains the gold standard for the assessment of blunt torso trauma. The study examines the effectiveness of FAST both in the detection of intra-abdominal pathology in pediatric patients (<19 years) with blunt torso trauma and in the determination of the need for CT for further examination.

Susceptibility-Weighted MRI for Predicting NF-2 Mutations and S100 Protein Expression in Meningiomas.

S100 protein expression levels and neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF-2) mutations result in different disease courses in meningiomas. This study aimed to investigate non-invasive biomarkers of NF-2 copy number loss and S100 protein expression in meningiomas using morphological, radiomics, and deep learning-based features of susceptibility-weighted MRI (SWI). This retrospective study included 99 patients with S100 protein expression data and 92 patients with NF-2 copy number loss information.

Efficacy of Aspiration-Assisted Ureteral Access Sheath (ClearPETRA) in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery.

In the renal intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS) procedure, ureteral access sheath (UAS) is still used in the majority of surgeries to both protect the flexible ureteroscope (FURS) and reduce intrarenal pressure. ClearPETRA is a new UAS that has an integrated aspiration port. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of Aspiration-Assisted UAS (ClearPETRA) in the RIRS procedure.

Risk Factors of Open Surgery Conversion in Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy to Achieve Nephron Sparing.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for the conversion from laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) to open surgery to achieve partial nephrectomy (PN).

Methods: Data from patients who underwent LPN between June 2020 and September 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients in whom the PN procedure could be completed laparoscopically were recorded as the 'Fully Laparoscopic' (FL) group (n = 97), and those converted to open surgery from laparoscopy were recorded as the 'Conversion to Open' (CTO) group (n = 10).

The effect of informative video before the procedure on anxiety levels in patients who will have ureteral stent removal under local anesthesia.

Objective: Our objective was to assess the impact of video-animated information on the anxiety levels of patients undergoing ureteral stent removal under local anesthesia.

Method: The study was designed as a randomized prospective trial. The one group received only verbal and written information before the surgery, while the other group received video-animated information in addition to the written and verbal instructions.

A New Nephrometry Score for Predicting Positive Surgical Margin After Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy.

Purpose: To introduce the KESKIN ratio as a novel predictor of positive surgical margin (PSM) after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (PN) and to evaluate other clinical characteristics and nephrometry scores (including RENAL, PADUA, and C-index) for predicting PSM.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 95 patients who underwent laparoscopic PN between June 2020 and April 2023. The KESKIN ratio was defined for all patients.

d-Mon: A Transmon with Strong Anharmonicity Based on Planar c-Axis Tunneling Junction between d-Wave and s-Wave Superconductors.

We propose a novel qubit architecture based on a planar c-axis Josephson junction between a thin flake d-wave superconductor, such as a high-T_{c} cuprate Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{8+x}, and a conventional s-wave superconductor. When operated in the transmon regime the device-that we call "d mon"-becomes insensitive to offset charge fluctuations and, importantly, exhibits at the same time energy level spectrum with strong anharmonicity that is widely tunable through the device geometry and applied magnetic flux. Crucially, unlike previous qubit designs based on d-wave superconductors the proposed device operates in a regime where quasiparticles are fully gapped and can be therefore expected to achieve long coherence times.

Design and synthesis of novel dithiazole carboxylic acid Derivatives: In vivo and in silico investigation of their Anti-Inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Inflammation is a complex set of interactions that can occur in tissues as the body's defensive response to infections, trauma, allergens, or toxic compounds. Therefore, in almost all diseases, it can be observed because of primary or secondary reasons. Since it is important to control and even eliminate the symptoms of inflammation in the treatment of many diseases, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are always needed in the clinic.

Hybrid technique has lower stricture rates than Wallace and Bricker.

Introduction: A clear consensus has not yet been reached on the optimal ureteroenteric anastomosis technique for ileal conduit urinary diversion following radical cystectomy. This study aims to determine the incidence of strictures and their management associated with these anastomosis techniques.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between March 2014 and August 2022.