Assessment of circulating tumor DNA in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

Post-neoadjuvant therapy (post-NAT) and post-surgical circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) risk stratification may enhance the management of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). In this study, we assessed the prognostic value of ctDNA-based MRD detection in LARC patients using a personalized, tumor-informed ctDNA assay. Plasma samples from LARC patients (N = 30) were analyzed retrospectively using the Signatera™ assay.

V600E-Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Series and Literature Review of a Rare Entity.

Although V600E mutations are common in solid tumors and select hematologic neoplasms, they are reported less frequently in myeloid malignancies. Of the cases of V600E-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that have been described, most display monocytic morphology and concurrent rearrangement. Strikingly, all cases have been associated with poor survival.

Decoding early-onset of colorectal cancer: Insights into SERPINA3 expression patterns.

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), recognized as a distinct subgroup with an increased incidence over the past two decades, characterized by its aggressive nature and potentially unique molecular factors that differentiate it from traditional colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we investigated differentially expressed genes in a young-CRC patient using paired-end mRNA-sequencing. Validation of target genes through qRT-PCR highlighted a significant increase in SERPINA3 levels in EOCRC, representing a novel finding.

Using the Health Belief Model to Understand Why Making Oral HIV Self-Testing Available to Truck Drivers in Kenya Had Little Impact on Six-Month Testing.

Research has found that offering HIV self-testing (HIVST) to truckers in Kenya increased testing rates at baseline but not over 6-month follow-up. We explored possible explanations based on the Health Belief Model by assessing HIV risk perception, self-efficacy, and fatalism as possible effect modifiers of the impact of offering HIVST (intervention n = 150) versus standard of care (SOC n = 155) on 6-month testing on the multiplicative and additive scales using log binomial and linear binomial regression and stratifying on significant modifiers. We found significant interaction between the intervention and fatalism on both the multiplicative (p = 0.

Simultaneous Cycloadditions in the Solid State via Supramolecular Assembly.

Chemical reactions conducted in the solid phase (specifically, crystalline) are much less numerous than solution reactions, primarily due to reduced motion, flexibility, and reactivity. The main advantage of crystalline-state transformations is that reactant molecules can be designed to self-assemble into specific spatial arrangements, often leading to high control over product regiochemistry and/or stereochemistry. In crystalline-phase transformations, typically only one type of reaction occurs, and a sacrificial template molecule is frequently used to facilitate self-assembly, similar to a catalyst or enzyme.

Re-examination of the Claimed Isolation of Stable Noncyclic 1,2-Disulfoxides.

Re-examination of the claimed isolation and X-ray characterization of di--tolyl and dimesityl 1,2-disulfoxides from thermolysis of the corresponding aryl sulfinimines and thiosulfinates showed that the isolated disulfide dioxides are instead the well-known isomeric thiosulfonates, as confirmed by XAS, DART-MS, X-ray, IR and NMR methods. Concerns with the original X-ray structures are addressed. Our results agree with the DFT prediction of very weak diaryl 1,2-disulfoxide S-S bond dissociation enthalpies.

Investigating Cu-Site Doped Cu-Sb-S Nanoparticles Using Photoelectron and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Tetrahedrite (CuSbS) and famatinite (CuSbS) are good candidates for green energy applications because they possess promising thermoelectric and photovoltaic properties as well as contain earth-abundant and nontoxic constituents. Herein, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) methods examined inherent electronic properties and interatomic magnetic interactions of Cu-site doped tetrahedrite and famatinite nanomaterials. An energy-efficient modified polyol method was utilized for the synthesis of tetrahedrite and famatinite nanoparticles doped on the Cu-site with Zn, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Co.

Mechanical Failure of SIGMA Total Condylar-III Revision Total Knee System Modular Femoral Component Due to Bolt Screw Breakage - Our Experience in Overcoming Broken Component Incarceration.

Introduction: The rising use of modular implants in revision total knee arthroplasty offers surgeons greater flexibility in addressing bone defects and achieving uniform gaps compared to monoblock counterparts. However, this enhanced functionality brings specific complications such as loosening and breakage at component coupling sites, leading to challenges due to mechanical failures and suboptimal fixation. Extracting broken components during revision surgery poses a significant challenge, prompting innovative techniques to facilitate extraction.

Tumor-informed ctDNA assessment as a valuable prognostic and predictive biomarker in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Background: A novel approach for molecular residual disease (MRD) detection and treatment monitoring is needed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to identify patients with a poor prognosis. We performed a retrospective evaluation of commercial ctDNA testing in patients with stage I-IV DLBCL to evaluate the prognostic and predictive role of tumor-informed ctDNA assessment.

Methods: A personalized and tumor-informed multiplex PCR assay (Signatera™ bespoke mPCR NGS assay) was used for ctDNA detection and quantification.

TDP43 and huntingtin Exon-1 undergo a conformationally specific interaction that strongly alters the fibril formation of both proteins.

Protein aggregation is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. In Huntington's disease, mutant huntingtin is the primary aggregating protein, but the aggregation of other proteins, such as TDP43, is likely to further contribute to toxicity. Moreover, mutant huntingtin is also a risk factor for TDP pathology in ALS.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among South African health care workers.

Background: Identifying factors associated with vaccine uptake among health care workers (HCWs) remains crucial to generating evidence aimed at guiding national COVID-19 vaccination and future infectious disease outbreak strategies. This study aimed to elucidate these factors, focusing on the interplay between socio-demographic, health, knowledge, beliefs and attitudinal indicators.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey administered to HCWs across South Africa between August and October 2022.

Acceptability and Engagement of a Smartphone-Delivered Interpretation Bias Intervention in a Sample of Black and Latinx Adults: Open Trial.

Background: Access to evidence-based interventions is urgently required, especially for individuals of minoritized identities who experience unique barriers to mental health care. Digital mental health interventions have the potential to increase accessibility. Previous pilot studies testing HabitWorks, a smartphone app providing an interpretation bias intervention, have found strong engagement and adherence for HabitWorks; however, previous trials' samples consisted of predominantly non-Hispanic, White individuals.

A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identifies calreticulin as a selective repressor of ATF6α.

Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) is one of three endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane stress sensors that mediate the unfolded protein response (UPR). Despite its crucial role in long-term ER stress adaptation, regulation of ATF6 alpha (α) signalling remains poorly understood, possibly because its activation involves ER-to-Golgi and nuclear trafficking. Here, we generated an ATF6α/Inositol-requiring kinase 1 (IRE1) dual UPR reporter CHO-K1 cell line and performed an unbiased genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis screen to systematically profile genetic factors that specifically contribute to ATF6α signalling in the presence and absence of ER stress.

Association of personalized and tumor-informed ctDNA with patient survival outcomes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Personalized and tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing is feasible and allows for molecular residual disease (MRD) identification in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: In this retrospective analysis of commercial cases from multiple US institutions, personalized, tumor-informed, whole-exome sequenced, and germline-controlled ctDNA levels were quantified and analyzed in patients with PDAC. Plasma samples (n = 1329) from 298 clinically validated patients were collected at diagnosis, perioperatively (MRD-window; within 2-12 weeks after surgery, before therapy), and during surveillance (>12 weeks post-surgery if no ACT or starting 4 weeks post-ACT) from November 2019 to March 2023.

Perspective on oral processing of plant-based beverages.

Around the world, the market for plant-derived beverages is one of the fastest-expanding segments in the functional and specialty beverage areas of newer food product development. Consumers are increasingly likely to choose alternatives to bovine beverages due to factors including lactose intolerance, hypercholesterolemia prevalence, allergies to bovine beverages, and preference for vegan diets that contain functionally active ingredients with health-promoting characteristics. Due to health, ecological, and ethical concerns, many customers are interested in reducing their usage of animal products like bovine milk.

Bioremediation potential of microalgae for sustainable soil treatment in India: A comprehensive review on heavy metal and pesticide contaminant removal.

The escalating environmental concerns arising from soils contamination with heavy metals (HMs) and pesticides (PSTs) necessitate the development of sustainable and effective remediation strategies. These contaminants, known for their carcinogenic properties and toxicity even at small amounts, pose significant threats to both environmental ecology and human health. While various chemical and physical treatments are employed globally, their acceptance is often hindered by prolonged remediation times, high costs, and inefficacy in areas with exceptionally high pollutant concentrations.