Integrating Protein Language Model and Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Discover Antibiofouling Peptides.

Antibiofouling peptide materials prevent the nonspecific adsorption of proteins on devices, enabling them to perform their designed functions as desired in complex biological environments. Due to their importance, research on antibiofouling peptide materials has been one of the central subjects of interfacial engineering. However, only a few antibiofouling peptide sequences have been developed.

Structural and Functional Integration of Tissue-Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase Within the Alkaline Phosphatase Superfamily: Evolutionary Insights and Functional Implications.

Phosphatases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphate esters. They play critical roles in diverse biological processes such as extracellular nucleotide homeostasis, transport of molecules across membranes, intracellular signaling pathways, or vertebrate mineralization. Among them, tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is today increasingly studied, due to its ubiquitous expression and its ability to dephosphorylate a very broad range of substrates and participate in several different biological functions.

Total neoadjuvant treatment using short-course radiotherapy and four CAPOX cycles in locally advanced rectal cancer with high-risk criteria for recurrence: a Swedish nationwide cohort study (LARCT-US).

Background: Total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) increases pathologic complete response (pCR) rate and reduces the risk of systemic recurrences over chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in randomised trials, e.g., the RAPIDO trial.

Expected potential hemipteran vectors of bacterium in olive and vineyard groves of the Egyptian northwestern coast.

was recently added to the list of threatening pathogens affecting more than 300 plant hosts. Hemipteran hoppers that feed on xylem have been documented as potential transmitters. Hemipteran hoppers, known vectors for plant pathogens via xylem feeding, pose significant risks to agriculture.

Clinical and genetic factors associated with tumor response to neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy, survival and recurrence risk in rectal cancer.

Rectal cancer poses challenges in preoperative treatment response, with up to 30% achieving a complete response (CR). Personalized treatment relies on accurate identification of responders at diagnosis. This study aimed to unravel CR determinants, overall survival (OS), and time to recurrence (TTR) using clinical and targeted sequencing data.

Phosphorylation of AHR by PLK1 promotes metastasis of LUAD via DIO2-TH signaling.

Metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major cause of death in patients. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), an important transcription factor, is involved in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), a serine/threonine kinase, acts as an oncogene promoting the malignancy of multiple cancer types.

Phosphorylation of AHR by PLK1 promotes metastasis of LUAD via DIO2-TH signaling.

Metastasis of Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a major cause of death in patients. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an important transcription factor involved in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), a serine/threonine kinase, is an oncogene that promotes the malignancy of multiple cancer types.

Determinants of Pre-Surgical Treatment in Primary Rectal Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

When preoperative radiotherapy (RT) is best used in rectal cancer is subject to discussions and guidelines differ. To understand the selection mechanisms, we analysed treatment decisions in all patients diagnosed between 2010-2020 in two Swedish regions (Uppsala with a RT department and Dalarna without). Information on staging and treatment (direct surgery, short-course RT, or combinations of RT/chemotherapy) in the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry were used.

Associations between Response to Commonly Used Neo-Adjuvant Schedules in Rectal Cancer and Routinely Collected Clinical and Imaging Parameters.

Complete pathological response (pCR) is achieved in 10−20% of rectal cancers when treated with short-course radiotherapy (scRT) or long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and in 28% with total neoadjuvant therapy (scRT/CRT + CTX). pCR is associated with better outcomes and a “watch-and-wait” strategy (W&W). The aim of this study was to identify baseline clinical or imaging factors predicting pCR.

Magnitude of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), due to its potential for causing morbidity and disability from foot ulcers and amputations, is increasingly becoming a source of concern in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. However, wide variability exists in the prevalence of DPN reported in previous studies in Saudi Arabia, limiting the utility of existing data in national public health policy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the magnitude of DPN in patients living with DM in Saudi Arabia in order to inform policymakers during the implementation of appropriate preventive and treatment strategies for DPN.

Post-ERCP pancreatitis: Frequency and risk stratification from four tertiary care referral hospitals in South East Asia.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is a dreaded complication. But the frequency of this complication varies widely (1%-40%) among the literature and across geographical regions. With uncertainty in the estimation of occurrence and having no accepted, safe, effective method to prevent it, identification of its frequency and predictable risk factors is very crucial in a local or regional setting.

Mucinous rectal cancers: clinical features and prognosis in a population-based cohort.

Purpose: Mucinous rectal cancers are generally associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to clinically characterize mucinous rectal cancers in a defined region of Sweden.

Methods: All patients with rectal cancer in Uppsala and Dalarna, Sweden, between 2010 and 2018, were identified using the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry.

Disease-specific quality of life in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Objectives: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic neuropathy (DN) (D+N) with patients with DM without DN (D-DN) and healthy participants. To evaluate factors associated with poor HRQoL in patients with DN.

Methods: This study included 306 participants residing in Bisha, Saudi Arabia.

Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis: clinical, neurophysiological, laboratory and postmortem findings of a case presenting as encephalomyelitis.

Our patient was admitted to hospital with a 1-week history of an upper respiratory tract infection and a rapidly progressive encephalopathy dominated by brainstem features and widespread areflexia. Her antiganglioside antibodies and electroencephalography were consistent with Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE), and her postmortem examination revealed a predominantly florid brainstem encephalitis and myelitis. Her sputum and throat swabs isolated and respectively, the former being the most probable trigger of BBE.

Optimizing community linkage to care and antiretroviral therapy Initiation: Lessons from the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) and their adaptation in Nigeria ART Surge.

Background: Ineffective linkage to care (LTC) is a known challenge for community HIV testing. To overcome this challenge, a robust linkage to care strategy was adopted by the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS). The NAIIS linkage to care strategy was further adapted to improve Nigeria's programmatic efforts to achieve the 1st 90 as part of the Nigeria Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Surge initiative, which also included targeted community testing.

Completeness and accuracy of the registration of recurrences in the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) and an update of recurrence risk in colon cancer.

Background: The completeness and accuracy of the registration of synchronous metastases and recurrences in the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry has not been investigated. Knowing how accurate these parameters are in the registry is a prerequisite to adequately measure the current recurrence risk.

Methods: All charts for patients diagnosed with stage I-III colorectal cancer (CRC) in two regions were reviewed.

Neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score: Value evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy and prognostic significance after surgery?

Introduction: The Neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score is a new surrogate endpoint to be used in clinical trials for early determination of treatment response to different preoperative therapies. The aim is to further validate the NAR-score, primarily developed using chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with a delay to surgery 6-8 weeks, and explore its value using other schedules.

Materials And Methods: The study included all 9978 patients diagnosed with non-metastasized RC in 2007-2015 that had undergone surgery and was registered in the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Associations Between Routinely Collected Staging Information and The Response to (Chemo)Radiotherapy in Rectal Cancer.

Radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) are frequently used in rectal cancer, sometimes resulting in complete tumor remission (CR). The predictive capacity of all clinical factors, laboratory values and magnetic resonance imaging parameters performed in routine staging was evaluated to understand what determines an excellent response to RT/CRT. A population-based cohort of 383 patients treated with short-course RT (5 × 5 Gy in one week, scRT), CRT, or scRT with chemotherapy (scRT+CT) and having either had a delay to surgery or been entered into a watch-and-wait program were included.

Recurrence Risk after Radical Colorectal Cancer Surgery-Less Than before, But How High Is It?

Adjuvant chemotherapy aims at eradicating tumour cells sometimes present after radical surgery for a colorectal cancer (CRC) and thereby diminish the recurrence rate and prolong time to recurrence (TTR). Remaining tumour cells will lead to recurrent disease that is usually fatal. Adjuvant therapy is administered based upon the estimated recurrence risk, which in turn defines the need for this treatment.

Learning Styles of Physiotherapy and Medical Students in a Nigerian University.

Background: Knowledge of students learning style is important in order for an instructor to be able to determine and select the appropriate teaching techniques for effectiveness and maximized student learning during a class session.

Objectives: This study was aimed at exploring the learning preferences of physiotherapy and medical students in a regional university in Nigeria.

Methods: A sample of 263 undergraduate physiotherapy and medical students in the clinical phase of their studies at the University of Maiduguri participated in this cross-sectional survey study.

Determining the use of preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy in primary rectal cancer according to national and international guidelines.

Background: Pre-operative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is frequently used prior to rectal cancer surgery to improve local control and survival. The treatment is administered according to guidelines, but these recommendations vary significantly between countries. Based on the stage distribution and risk factors of rectal cancers as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an unselected Swedish population, the use of RT/CRT according to 15 selected guidelines is described.