Understanding constipation as a geriatric syndrome.

Constipation is common among older adults and significantly impacts their quality of life (QoL). Prior studies have extensively detailed constipation, but conceptualization of constipation as a geriatric syndrome is lacking. In this review, we provide an overview of constipation in the geriatric population and conceptualize constipation as a geriatric syndrome given its high prevalence, under-recognized status, and association with poor QoL and adverse outcomes among older adults.

Urinary detection of early responses to checkpoint blockade and of resistance to it via protease-cleaved antibody-conjugated sensors.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy does not benefit the majority of treated patients, and those who respond to the therapy can become resistant to it. Here we report the design and performance of systemically administered protease activity sensors conjugated to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (αPD1) antibodies for the monitoring of antitumour responses to ICB therapy. The sensors consist of a library of mass-barcoded protease substrates that, when cleaved by tumour proteases and immune proteases, are released into urine, where they can be detected by mass spectrometry.