Post-SELEX modification of quinine aptamers through neoacetalization.

In this article, a neoacetalization-based method for post-SELEX modification of aptamers is introduced. Three modified quinine binding aptamer scaffolds were synthesized by replacing three different nucleosides of the binding site with a (2,3)-4-(methoxyamino)butane-1,2,3-triol residue. These aptamer scaffolds were incubated in different aldehyde mixtures with and without quinine, allowing the reversible formation of -methoxy-1,3-oxazinane (MOANA) nucleoside analogues through dynamic combinatorial chemistry.

Formulation of Epoxy Prepregs, Synthesization Parameters, and Resin Impregnation Approaches-A Comprehensive Review.

Prepregs are resin-impregnated, expensive composites mainly limited to high-end applications within the aeronautical, defense, automotive, and energy sectors. Prepreg technology is mainly protected by trade secrets, resulting in limited studies on prepreg resin matrix development and recent advancements. Three key parameters for epoxy resin matrix development including B-staging, viscosity, and tackiness, and their control strategies are discussed in detail.

An ultra-short-period super-Earth with an extremely high density and an outer companion.

We present the discovery and characterization of a new multi-planetary system around the Sun-like star K2-360 (EPIC 201595106). K2-360 was first identified in K2 photometry as the host of an ultra-short-period (USP) planet candidate with a period of 0.88 d.

Development and validation of a novel tool for identification and categorization of non-technical errors associated with surgical mortality.

Background: Up to half of all surgical adverse events are due to non-technical errors, making non-technical skill assessment and improvement a priority. No specific tools are available to retrospectively identify non-technical errors that have occurred in surgical patient care. This original study aimed to develop and provide evidence of validity and inter-rater reliability for the System for Identification and Categorization of Non-technical Error in Surgical Settings (SICNESS).

Bioengineering of Intestinal Grafts.

Intestinal failure manifests as an impaired capacity of the intestine to sufficiently absorb vital nutrients and electrolytes essential for growth and well-being in pediatric and adult populations. Although parenteral nutrition remains the mainstay therapeutic approach, the pursuit of a definitive and curative strategy, such as regenerative medicine, is imperative. Substantial advancements in the field of engineered intestinal tissues present a promising avenue for addressing intestinal failure; nevertheless, extensive research is still necessary for effective translation from experimental benchwork to clinical bedside applications.

Impact of economic indicators on rice production: A machine learning approach in Sri Lanka.

Rice is a crucial crop in Sri Lanka, influencing both its agricultural and economic landscapes. This study delves into the complex interplay between economic indicators and rice production, aiming to uncover correlations and build prediction models using machine learning techniques. The dataset, spanning from 1960 to 2020, includes key economic variables such as GDP, inflation rate, manufacturing output, population, population growth rate, imports, arable land area, military expenditure, and rice production.

An international perspective on young stroke incidence and risk factors: a scoping review.

Background: Stroke among younger age groups is increasing globally. While there is a focus on research conducted on people under 65 years who have had a stroke, there is a paucity of data on the incidence and risk factors of stroke among younger people (≤ 30 years). This scoping review examines evidence on incidence and risk factors for perinatal, paediatric and young adult stroke globally.

Postpartum versus postnatal period: Do the name and duration matter?

Introduction: Guidelines and other strategic documents were collated to understand the extent of the global use of terms postpartum and postnatal along with the duration and schedule of maternal care after delivery.

Methods: Postpartum care guidelines and strategies published in English, by international organisations including the World Health Organization, and countries in either the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or Group of 20 were included in this scoping review. All documents available online with unrestricted access and published before May 31, 2023, were included.

Associations between recorded loneliness and adverse mental health outcomes among patients receiving mental healthcare in South London: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Loneliness disproportionately affects people with mental disorders, but associations with mental health outcomes in groups affected remain less well understood.

Method: A cohort of patients receiving mental healthcare on 30th June 2012 was assembled from a large mental health records database covering a south London catchment area. Recorded loneliness within the preceding 2 years was extracted using natural language processing and outcomes were measured between 30th June 2012 until 30th December 2019, except for survival which applied a censoring point of 6th December 2020 according to data available at the time of extraction.

Body composition assessment in 6-month-old infants: A comparison of two- and three-compartment models using data from the Baby-bod study.

Background/objectives: An appreciation of infant body composition is helpful to understand the 'quality' of growth in early life. Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) using PEA POD and the deuterium dilution (DD) technique are commonly used body composition approaches in infants. We evaluated the comparability of body composition assessed using both techniques with two-compartment (2C) and three-compartment (3C) models in 6-month-old infants.

Evaluating the programme and behavior change theories of a community alcohol education intervention in rural Sri Lanka: a study protocol.

Risky alcohol use is a major public health problem globally and in Sri Lanka. While a reduction in alcohol consumption can result in physical, mental, and social benefits, behaviour change is difficult to achieve. Effective, context-adapted interventions are required to minimise alcohol-related harm at a community level.

The value of whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in assessing body composition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study.

Objectives: Low skeletal muscle index (SMI) is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but has an uncertain relationship with active intestinal inflammation. This study evaluated body composition by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in patients with IBD and healthy controls to enable the value of formal body composition analysis to be judged.

Methods: Patients with IBD and sex/age-matched controls prospectively underwent full body composition assessment by DXA, assessment by BMI, eating questionnaires and handgrip strength.

Improving communication and patient information recall via a question prompt list: randomized clinical trial.

Background: Patient-surgeon communication is an important component of the success of a consultation and is known to impact patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a document called a question prompt list, containing suggested questions that a patient may like to ask their doctor, improved communication.

Methods: A prospective RCT was conducted from October 2021 to October 2022 at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.

Impaired cecal motility and secretion alongside expansion of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the Nlgn3 mouse model of autism.

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD; autism) commonly present with gastrointestinal (GI) illness in addition to core diagnostic behavioural traits. The appendix, or cecum in mice, is important for GI homeostasis via its function as a key site for fermentation and a microbial reservoir. Even so, the role of the appendix and cecum in autism-associated GI symptoms remains uninvestigated.

Quantitative Spatial Analysis of Neuroligin-3 mRNA Expression in the Enteric Nervous System Reveals a Potential Role in Neuronal-Glial Synapses and Reduced Expression in Mice.

Mutations in the Neuroligin-3 () gene are implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, but cellular expression in the enteric nervous system remains to be characterised. We combined RNAScope in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence to measure mRNA expression in cholinergic and VIP-expressing submucosal neurons, nitrergic and calretinin-containing myenteric neurons and glial cells in both WT and mutant mice. We measured mRNA neuronal and glial expression via quantitative three-dimensional image analysis.

Trends and associations between maternal characteristics and infant birthweight among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Tasmania, Australia: a population-based study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the trends and associations of maternal characteristics and birthweight among Indigenous and non-Indigenous infants.

Study Design: This was a retrospective population-based study.

Methods: Fourteen years (2005-2018) of birthweight and perinatal health data of live-born singletons and their mothers obtained from the Tasmanian Data Linkage Unit were used to assess the trends and associations between maternal characteristics and infant birthweight using regression modelling.

Accuracy of ultrasound, bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry as point-of-care measurements of skeletal muscle mass in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Disturbance of skeletal muscle mass has clinically important implications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but accurate quantification requires radiation-intense techniques.

Aims: We aimed to compare point-of-care muscle assessments and their change with therapy with those using reference-standard whole-body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Methods: Adult patients with IBD and healthy controls underwent prospective assessment of muscularity by ultrasound of the dominant arm and both thighs, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), anthropometric measurements, and DXA.

Effect of Drilling Preparation on Immediately Loaded Implants: An In Vivo Study in Sheep.

Purpose: To determine the biologic and biomechanical effects of two implant drilling protocols on the cortical bone around implants subjected to immediate loading.

Materials And Methods: A total of 48 implants were inserted into the mandibles of six sheep following one of two drilling protocols: undersized preparation (US; n = 24) and nonundersized preparation (NUS; n = 24). Immediately after implant insertion, an abutment was placed on each implant and 36 implants were subjected to 10 sessions of dynamic vertical loads (1,500 cycles, 1 Hz) of 25 N or 50 N.

Sensitivity Analysis of Parameters Affecting Wetland Water Levels: A Study of Flood Detention Basin, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Wetlands play a vital role in ecosystems. They help in flood accumulation, water purification, groundwater recharge, shoreline stabilization, provision of habitats for flora and fauna, and facilitation of recreation activities. Although wetlands are hot spots of biodiversity, they are one of the most endangered ecosystems on the Earth.

Inhibitors of the Oncogenic PA2G4-MYCN Protein-Protein Interface.

MYCN is a major oncogenic driver for neuroblastoma tumorigenesis, yet there are no direct MYCN inhibitors. We have previously identified PA2G4 as a direct protein-binding partner of MYCN and drive neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. A small molecule known to bind PA2G4, WS6, significantly decreased tumorigenicity in neuroblastoma mice, along with the inhibition of PA2G4 and MYCN interactions.

Patient focused interventions and communication in the surgical clinic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Communication is the foundation of a strong doctor-patient relationship. Holistic care of the patient involves good communication and empathy. There are various tools and interventions aimed at increasing the Surgeon's performance, but these have the drawback of heavy cost and time commitments.

Beyond the Gut, Emerging Microbiome Areas of Research: A Focus on Early-Life Microbial Colonization.

Undoubtedly, the human body harbors trillions of microbes of different kinds performing various physiological activities, such as priming the immune system, influencing host metabolism, and improving health by providing important metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. Although the gut is considered the "microbial organ" of our body as it hosts the most microbes, there are microbes present in various other important anatomical locations differing in numbers and type. Research has shown the presence of microbes in utero, sparking a debate on the "sterile womb" concept, and there is much scope for more work in this area.

The Emerging Role of the Gut-Brain-Microbiota Axis in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD; autism) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder associated with changes in gut-brain axis communication. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are experienced by a large proportion of individuals diagnosed with autism. Several mutations associated with autism modify cellular communication via neuronal synapses.