Buparlisib and Paclitaxel in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Immunogenomic Biomarkers of Efficacy from the BERIL-1 Study.

Background: BERIL-1 was a randomized phase 2 study that studied paclitaxel with either buparlisib, a pan-class I PIK3 inhibitor, or placebo in patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Considering the therapeutic paradigm shift with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) now approved in the first-line setting, we present an updated immunogenomic analysis of patients enrolled in BERIL-1, including patients with immune-infiltrated tumors.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify biomarkers predictive of treatment efficacy in the context of the post-ICI therapeutic landscape.

TDP43 autoregulation gives rise to dominant negative isoforms that are tightly controlled by transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms.

The nuclear RNA-binding protein TDP43 is integrally involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Previous studies uncovered N-terminal TDP43 isoforms that are predominantly cytosolic in localization, prone to aggregation, and enriched in susceptible spinal motor neurons. In healthy cells, however, these shortened (s)TDP43 isoforms are difficult to detect in comparison to full-length (fl)TDP43, raising questions regarding their origin and selective regulation.

The Impact of MRI-Defined Extent of Resection Across Meningioma DNA Methylation Groups: Re-Evaluating Surgery in the Era of Meningioma Molecular Classification.

Background And Objectives: Extent of resection (EOR) is prognostic for meningioma outcomes. DNA methylation profiling can shed light on biological drivers and therapeutic vulnerabilities. The goal of this study was to re-evaluate the impact of EOR on clinical outcomes across meningioma DNA methylation groups.

Curcumin Mitigates Gut Dysbiosis and Enhances Gut Barrier Function to Alleviate Metabolic Dysfunction in Obese, Aged Mice.

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining gut and metabolic health, and its composition is often altered by aging and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin on gut dysbiosis, gut barrier integrity, and bile acid homeostasis in aged mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet (HFHSD). Eighteen- to twenty-one-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into groups fed a normal chow diet or HFHSD, with or without curcumin supplementation (0.

Developmental Toxicity of Disinfection Byproducts in F344 Rats: Effects on Pregnancy Maintenance and Eye Development.

Background: Epidemiological studies report associations of drinking water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) with adverse health outcomes, including birth defects. Here, we used a rat model susceptible to pregnancy loss (full-litter resorption; FLR) and eye malformations (anophthalmia, microphthalmia) to test 11 DBPs, including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids (HAAs), and nitrogen-containing DBPs (N-DBPs).

Methods: Timed-pregnant F344 rats received gavage doses of chloroform, chlorodibromomethane, iodoform, chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, dibromoacetic acid (DBA), diiodoacetic acid (DIA), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), dibromonitromethane, and iodoacetonitrile on gestation days (GD) 6-10.

Sex differences in blood pressure responses of Pekin ducks to sound stimuli and conspecific vocalizations.

We tested Pekin ducks with playbacks of 5 different vocalizations plus a no noise and white noise stimulus as our controls (N = 15 ducks/sex/treatment). The "AM long" call is a common vocalization made by both sexes. "Honk" is also produced by both sexes and is thought to be an alarm or distress call.

Seroprevalence of spp. and Rift Valley fever virus infections in communal pastoral cattle at the wildlife-livestock interface, Zambezi region, Namibia.

Introduction: Brucellosis and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are neglected zoonotic diseases (NZD) that threaten public health, animal health, and production in resource-limited countries including Namibia.

Methods: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine spp. and RVFV seroprevalence in cattle at the wildlife-livestock interface in the Kabbe South constituency (Zambezi region) of Namibia.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program Among Breast Cancer Survivors Post-Treatment: Evaluating Mediators of Cognitive Improvement.

Unlabelled: The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program for breast cancer survivors (MBSR [BCs]) is a stress-reducing program designed to increase cognitive functioning through four meditational practices. This randomized clinical trial aimed to determine if improvements in cognitive functioning and perceived cognitive abilities achieved from the MBSR(BC) were mediated through increased mindfulness, decreased rumination, and decreased perceived stress. Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) who met inclusion criteria of stage I, II, or III BC and received either chemotherapy (CT) or both CT and radiation were randomized to either the 6-week MBSR(BC), or Breast Cancer Education Support (BCES) program, or to a usual care (UC) regimen.

Updated Structure of Repeat Expansions in Patients With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 and Its Implication for Standard Diagnostics.

Background And Objectives: Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a multisystemic repeat disorder caused by the expansion of an unstable CCTG tetranucleotide repeat in the noncoding region of the gene. Standard diagnostic is based on Southern blot analysis or a unidirectional RP-PCR that amplifies the repeat from the downstream end.

Methods: Our study reevaluated 80 patients (cohort 1) with clinical suspicion of DM2 but homozygous negative results using the standard diagnostic repeat-primed PCR (RP-PCR).

Longitudinal trajectory of plasma p-tau217 in cognitively unimpaired subjects.

Background: The advent of Alzheimer's disease-modifying drugs requires accurate biological diagnosis to identify candidates for these therapies. So far, the most promising single plasma biomarker is phosphorylated tau at threonine 217 (p-tau217). To understand its biological features, it is essential to know its longitudinal trajectory and factors influencing it in cognitively unimpaired subjects with no brain pathology.

Microsatellite instability and high tumor mutational burden detected by next generation sequencing are concordant with loss of mismatch repair proteins by immunohistochemistry.

Impairment of DNA mismatch repair function in neoplasms can be assessed by DNA-based methods to assess for high microsatellite instability (MSI-High) or immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis to assess for deficiency of mismatch repair proteins (dMMR). Neoplasms with mismatch repair deficiency often have high tumor mutational burden (TMB-High). MSI-High, dMMR, and TMB-High are all histology agnostic biomarkers for potential therapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

A laboratory-developed extraction free real-time PCR for Group A Streptococcus in throat swabs: greater detection and faster results.

Aim: This work describes the validation of an in-house extraction free real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in throat swabs collected in gel amies.

Method: Throat swabs received by the laboratory were prospectively tested by routine bacterial culture and an in-house PCR assay targeting the GAS SpeB gene with a multiplexed RNaseP internal control. Samples with discrepant culture/PCR results had additional testing using the commercial Xpert Group A Strep PCR assay (Cepheid).

The genus Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818 (Annelida: Syllidae: Syllinae) from Australia (Fourth part).

Syllis Savigny in Lamarck, 1818, the type genus of Syllidae, is the largest and most diverse within the family. This genus presents many taxonomic, biogeographic, and phylogenetic problems due mainly to the lack of molecular data and morphological synapomorphies for many of the species, but also due to poor or inadequate descriptions. In order to improve our understanding of the genus, we have undertaken a morphological revision of Australian species, based on type material and material collected over years by the Australian Museum.

Smoking Assessment by Visit Modality Among Community-based Primary Care Clinics.

Introduction: Primary care delivery in the United States, including tobacco treatment, was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, leading to pandemic-related cessation disparities. Early in the public health emergency, rates of tobacco assessment during telehealth visits were substantially lower than during in-person visits. It is unknown if these changes persisted.

Medical mistrust and receptivity to lung cancer screening among African American and white American smokers.

Although medical mistrust is associated with lower cancer screening uptake among racial minorities, such as African Americans, potential impacts on cancer screening among White Americans are generally understudied. In this study, we examined links from medical mistrust to lung cancer screening among African American ( = 203) and White American ( = 201) smokers. Participants completed the Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale and viewed a brief online educational module about lung cancer risks, etiology, and screening.

A systematic review of lifestyle-based interventions for managing Alzheimer's disease: Insights from randomized controlled trials.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge in healthcare, prompting exploration into non-pharmacological interventions to complement traditional treatments.

Objective: This systematic review explores the efficacy of lifestyle-based interventions in managing AD.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus between 2018 and 2023, selecting randomized controlled trials examining factors such as exercise, diet, stress, and cognitive training in AD patients.

sp.nov., a plant growth promoting bacteria for agriculture in water-scarce conditions isolated from rhizosphere.

A gram-positive, nonpathogenic, central endospore-forming, flagellated strain, was successfully isolated from the rhizosphere of in Aracena (Spain). Its optimal growth conditions are 28 °C, pH 6, and 0 % salinity. It is able to assimilate glucose, L-fucose, L-arabinose, b-metil-D-xylose and shows high catabolic capacity.

Calibrating workers' trust in intelligent automated systems.

With the exponential rise in the prevalence of automation, trust in such technology has become more critical than ever before. Trust is confidence in a particular entity, especially in regard to the consequences they can have for the trustor, and calibrated trust is the extent to which the judgments of trust are accurate. The focus of this paper is to reevaluate the general understanding of calibrating trust in automation, update this understanding, and apply it to worker's trust in automation in the workplace.

Where public health meets public opinion: Understanding political support for fluoridation in Calgary, 2021.

Objectives: To understand variables associated with support for community water fluoridation among ordinary citizens during periods of heightened issue salience, with a particular focus on how support varies on the basis of demographic characteristics, attitudes toward public health science, and political variables such as ideology, populism, and issue salience.

Methods: Statistical analysis of individual-level data from a large-scale survey of eligible voters in the City of Calgary, Alberta in 2021, collected at the time of a community water fluoridation plebiscite.

Results: Survey data (N = 1130) reveal substantively important and statistically significant relationships with fluoridation support in each of our three analysis categories (demographics, public health expertise, and politics).

Exome sequencing data reanalysis of 200 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients: the HYPERGEN French cohort 5 years after the initial analysis.

Background: Approximately half of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients lack a precise genetic diagnosis. The likelihood of identifying clinically relevant variants increased over time.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a gene-centric reanalysis of exome data of 200 HCM cases 5 years after the initial analysis.

NSW cannabis medicines advisory service retrospective enquiry analysis to inform clinical guidance resource development.

Background: An innovative New South Wales government funded statewide Cannabis Medicines Advisory Service (CMAS) operated between January 2018 and June 2022. The service provided comprehensive patient-specific and evidence-based information to support health professionals in prescribing and patient care decisions. This study aimed to describe real-world data collected by CMAS.

Early high-dose cryoprecipitate to reduce mortality in adult patients with traumatic haemorrhage: the CRYOSTAT-2 RCT with cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Traumatic haemorrhage is common after severe injury, leading to disability and death. Cryoprecipitate, a source of fibrinogen, may improve outcomes for patients with traumatic haemorrhage.

Objective: To investigate the effects of early fibrinogen supplementation in the form of 3 pools (15 units, approximately 6 g of fibrinogen) of cryoprecipitate on 28-day mortality.

Clinical trajectories of patients with multiple sclerosis from onset and their relationship with serum neurofilament light chain levels.

Background: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a biomarker of neuroaxonal destruction that correlates with acute inflammation (AI) in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, in the treatment era, progression without AI is the main driver of long-term disability. sNfL may provide added value in detecting ongoing axonal damage and neurological worsening in patients without AI.