Publications by authors named "Hunt A"

is an obligate human parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa and is the causative agent of the most lethal form of human malaria. Although N6-methyladenosine modification is thought to be one of the major post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for stage-specific gene expression in apicomplexan parasites, the precise base position of m6A in mRNAs or noncoding RNAs in these parasites remains unknown. Here, we report global nucleotide-resolution mapping of m6A residues in using DART-seq technology, which quantitatively displayed a stage-specific, dynamic distribution pattern with enrichment near mRNA 3' ends.

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This study aims to develop and evaluate a fast and robust deep learningbased auto-segmentation approach for organs at risk in MRI-guided radiotherapy of pancreatic cancer to overcome the problems of time-intensive manual contouring in online adaptive workflows. The research focuses on implementing novel data augmentation techniques to address the challenges posed by limited datasets. Approach: This study was conducted in two phases.

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Exsolution is a promising approach for fabricating oxide-supported metal nanocatalysts through redox-driven metal precipitation. A defining feature of exsolved nanocatalysts is their anchored metal-oxide interface, which exhibits exceptional structural stability in (electro)catalysis. However, the electronic interactions at this unique interface remain unclear, despite their known impact on catalytic performance.

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Introduction: Despite unprecedented pressures on urgent and emergency care services, there is no clear consensus on how to provide acute medical care delivery in the UK. These pressures can lead to significant delays in care for patients presenting with emergencies when admitted via traditional routes through the emergency department. Historically, a separate pathway has existed where patients are directly admitted to acute medicine services without attending the emergency department.

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Objective: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) can be either HPV-dependent (HPVd) or HPV-independent (HPVi). HPVd VSCC typically occurs in younger women, has a more favorable prognosis, and develops from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). HPVi VSCC predominantly affects older women and arises within areas of chronic inflammation, particularly lichen sclerosis (LS).

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Genomics is an increasingly important part of biology research. However, educating undergraduates in genomics is not yet a standard part of life sciences curricula. We believe this is, in part, due to a lack of standard concepts for the teaching of genomics.

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Background: We aimed to describe a 2-year outcome of eyes managed by practitioners benchmarked using a funnel plot by their frequency of treatment using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for naive retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: A multicentre, international, observational study of 29 doctors in 12 countries managing 1110 eyes with RVO commencing VEGF inhibitors between 1 January 2012-2022 tracked in the Fight Retinal Blindness! registry.

Results: We identified 3 outlying 'intensive' practitioners (managing 350/1110 eyes [32%]), 22 'typical' practitioners (604/1110, [54%]) and 4 outlying 'relaxed' practitioners (156/1110, [14%]) with respective 24-month outcomes in Branch and Central RVO including the primary outcome, mean adjusted change in visual acuity (VA) in BRVO: +16.

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With the applications of in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical - measurement, and ambient pressure hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-HAXPES), the characteristics of the topotactic phase transition of LaCoO (LCO) thin films are examined. XRD measurements show clear evidence of structural phase transition (SPT) of the LCO thin films from the perovskite (PV) LaCoO to the brownmillerite (BM) LaCoO phases through the intermediate LaCoO phase at a temperature of 350 °C under high-vacuum conditions, ∼10 mbar. The reverse SPT from BM to PV phases is also found under ambient pressure (>100 mbar) of air near 100 °C.

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Background: Infections and sepsis are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in women during pregnancy and the post-pregnancy period. Using data from the 2017 WHO Global Maternal Sepsis Study, we explored the use of early warning systems (EWS) in women at risk of sepsis-related severe maternal outcomes.

Methods: On April 27, 2023, we searched the literature for EWS in clinical use or research in obstetric populations.

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Background: Alarmins mediate type 2 T helper cell (Th2) inflammation and serve as upstream signaling elements in allergic inflammation and autoimmune responses. The alarmin interleukin (IL)-25 binds to a multi-domain receptor consisting of IL-17RA and IL-17RB subunits, resulting in the release of Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13 to drive an inflammatory response. Therefore, the blockage of IL-17RB via SM17, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody, offers an attractive therapeutic target for Th2-mediated diseases, such as asthma.

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Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems empower synthetic biologists to build biological molecules and processes outside of living intact cells. The foundational principle is that precise, complex biomolecular transformations can be conducted in purified enzyme or crude cell lysate systems. This concept circumvents mechanisms that have evolved to facilitate species survival, bypasses limitations on molecular transport across the cell wall, and provides a significant departure from traditional, cell-based processes that rely on microscopic cellular "reactors.

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  • Rural areas face higher rates of substance use disorder (SUD) and stigma, which affects treatment access.
  • A comparative study between rural Ohio (2020) and South Dakota (2022-2023) highlights significant differences in attitudes towards SUD, showing South Dakotans are more likely to view addiction as an illness.
  • The findings suggest that acknowledging SUD as an illness reduces stigma and increases support for harm reduction strategies, emphasizing the need for targeted anti-stigma campaigns to enhance treatment-seeking behaviors in rural communities.
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Self-management of chronic conditions can help individuals take control of their health, both improving well-being and reducing the burden on health and social care resources. This study explored the potential of our co-produced self-management tool, My Life Today (MLT), to help people with dementia identify, plan and monitor aspects of their lives that are important to them and that help to maintain or improve well-being. We asked people with dementia to try using MLT.

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  • The study evaluates the clinical outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with cystoid macular edema (CMO) due to retinal vein occlusions (RVOs), comparing those who had surgery to matched individuals who did not.
  • Results showed a significant improvement in visual acuity (VA) for patients who underwent cataract extraction (+9.9 letters), while the control group experienced a decline (-2.4 letters) after 12 months.
  • Post-surgery, the eyes that had cataract surgery required more injections for treatment on average (5 injections) compared to the controls (4 injections), highlighting a possible increased need for ongoing care after surgery.
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  • HRD testing for BRCA mutations is essential for patients with advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer, as delays can impact treatment options.
  • An analysis of HRD testing data from December 2020 to January 2023 showed a success rate of 69.6%, with variations in success based on the sampling method used.
  • Optimizing HRD testing processes could lead to quicker results, allowing patients to receive more timely and effective treatments, particularly with the use of PARP inhibitors for HRD-positive tumors.
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Cobalt is an efficient catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) of hydrocarbons from syngas (CO + H) with enhanced selectivity for long-chain hydrocarbons when promoted by Manganese. However, the molecular scale origin of the enhancement remains unclear. Here we present an experimental and theoretical study using model catalysts consisting of crystalline CoMnO nanoparticles and thin films, where Co and Mn are mixed at the sub-nm scale.

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Background: People living with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly experience heat sensitivity-worsening symptoms and restricted daily activities in heat.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a scale of heat sensitivity for people with PD.

Methods: Through a search of the scientific literature and online forums, we developed 41 items relating to experiences of heat for people with PD to assess heat sensitivity.

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A short systematic review was undertaken to assess whether intradermal sterile water injections (ISWI) provide effective pain relief in adult patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with renal colic. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were searched, identifying seven relevant studies. Study information, patient characteristics, key results and methodological weaknesses were tabulated.

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Domestic cats () are often exposed to stimuli that have the potential to negatively impact their welfare. These can include situations such as veterinary visits, travel, changes to their home environment, and interactions with unfamiliar people or pets. Cannabidiol (CBD)-infused pet products have grown in popularity in recent years, as pet owners search for ways to calm and relax their pets.

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  • Children have shown strong immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 during various pandemic waves, with a significant increase in seropositivity from 34.2% after the first wave to 99.2% after the fifth wave, despite experiencing minimal severe illness.
  • The study found that IgG antibodies developed through natural exposure were effective in protecting children from future infections, with varying levels of effectiveness against different variants, showing the highest protection against the Beta variant and the least against Omicron.
  • Maternal seropositivity was linked to higher child seropositivity, indicating that the immune status of mothers plays a crucial role in the immune response of their children against COVID-19.
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Background: To compare individual ophthalmologists grouped as outliers or non-outliers based on the mean 12-month visual acuity (VA) outcomes for their patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: This prospectively designed database study included treatment-naïve eyes with nAMD starting vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors between July 2018 and April 2023 in Australia. Ophthalmologists were classified into high outliers, non-outliers and low outliers with a funnel plot of the adjusted mean 12-month VA change.

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Community pharmacists are often the most accessible member of the healthcare team to many patients and can play a key role in managing their chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, through enhanced pharmacy services. Despite their accessibility, pharmacy services are often underutilized due, in part, to a lack of adequate reimbursement models that comprehensively encapsulate all elements of those pharmacy services. While routine documentation of services does collect certain qualitative data, they do not always indicate the nuance of the full scope of services with resulting robust impact and value of those services for the patient and healthcare system.

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