MS/MS prediction for peptidoglycan profiling uncovers novel anti-inflammatory peptidoglycan fragments of the gut microbiota.

Peptidoglycan is an essential exoskeletal polymer across all bacteria. Gut microbiota-derived peptidoglycan fragments (PGNs) are increasingly recognized as key effector molecules that impact host biology. However, the current peptidoglycan analysis workflow relies on laborious manual identification from tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data, impeding the discovery of novel bioactive PGNs in the gut microbiota.

Molecular Docking Reveals Critical Residues in Cyr1 for Peptidoglycan Recognition and Hyphal Growth.

The key virulent characteristic of , the major fungal pathogen in humans, lies in its ability to switch between the benign yeast state and the invasive hyphal form upon exposure to specific stimuli. Among the numerous hyphal-inducing signals, bacterial peptidoglycan fragments (PGNs) represent the most potent inducers of hyphal growth. The sole adenylyl cyclase Cyr1 in is a known sensor for PGNs and activates downstream signaling of hyphal growth, yet the molecular details of PGN-Cyr1 interactions have remained unclear.

An initial Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less does not define severe brain injury.

The wide-spread use of an initial 'Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 8 or less' to define and dichotomise 'severe' from 'mild' or 'moderate' traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an out-dated research heuristic that has become an epidemiological convenience transfixing clinical care. Triaging based on GCS can delay the care of patients who have rapidly evolving injuries. Sole reliance on the initial GCS can therefore provide a false sense of security to caregivers and fail to provide timely care for patients presenting with GCS greater than 8.

2D kV orthogonal imaging with fiducial markers is more precise for daily image guided alignments than soft-tissue cone beam computed tomography for prostate radiation therapy.

Purpose: The hypothesis is that 2-dimensional kV orthogonal imaging with fiducial markers (kV-FM) and soft-tissue cone beam computed tomography (ST-CBCT) are equally reproducible for daily positional alignments for image guided (IG) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: Ten patients undergoing definitive treatment for prostate cancer with IG-IMRT were imaged daily with kV-FM and ST-CBCT. For each acquired kV and CBCT image, offline alignments to the digitally reconstructed radiograph or planning CT, respectively, were made twice by the same physician to assess intraobserver test-retest reproducibility.

The influence of testosterone suppression and recovery on sexual function in men with prostate cancer: observations from a prospective study in men undergoing intermittent androgen suppression.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of testosterone change on the sexual function of men with prostate cancer undergoing intermittent maximal androgen deprivation therapy.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a phase II cohort study of 250 patients with prostate cancer undergoing intermittent maximal androgen deprivation therapy. Flutamide (Eulexin®) 250 mg 3 times daily and leuprolide (Lucrin®) 22.

Outcomes from combined chemoradiotherapy in unresectable and locally advanced resected cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: Whilst surgery is the only potentially curative treatment for cholangiocarcinoma, many patients are either unfit for major surgery or have unresectable disease. Patients who undergo attempted curative resective surgery often have involved resection margins. The role of radiotherapy in these settings has not been clarified and is often not considered because of fears of late complications, especially liver and gastrointestinal toxicity.