Holomics and Artificial Intelligence-Driven Precision Oncology for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Addressing Challenges of a Rare and Aggressive Disease.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare yet aggressive form of thyroid cancer comprising a disproportionate share of thyroid cancer-related mortalities, despite its low prevalence. MTC differs from other differentiated thyroid malignancies due to its heterogeneous nature, presenting complexities in both hereditary and sporadic cases. Traditional management guidelines, which are designed primarily for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), fall short in providing the individualized care required for patients with MTC.

The clinicopathological landscape of thyroid cancer in South Africa-A multi-institutional review.

Background: In South Africa (SA), data on the incidence of thyroid cancer is limited. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is by far the most common malignancy in developed countries; however, a preponderance of follicular thyroid cancer in developing countries, despite iodized salt, has been observed. The aim of this study was to describe the national landscape of thyroid cancer in SA with reference to pathological subtypes, surgical outcomes, and treatments offered.

Temporal changes in ewe vaginal microbiota throughout gestation.

Introduction: Numerous factors are known to influence reproductive efficiency in ewes, but few studies have investigated the potential role of vaginal microbiota in sheep reproductive success. The objective of this study was to thoroughly characterize the ewe vaginal microbiota throughout the course of pregnancy.

Methods: Vaginal samples were collected from 31 pregnant Hampshire and Hampshire X Suffolk crossbred ewes on a weekly basis from pre-breeding to pregnancy testing and then biweekly until just after lambing.

Impact of polymer chemistry on critical quality attributes of selective laser sintering 3D printed solid oral dosage forms.

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of polymer chemistry on the properties of oral dosage forms produced using selective laser sintering (SLS). The dosage forms were printed using different grades of polyvinyl alcohol or copovidone in combination with indomethacin as the active pharmaceutical ingredient. The properties of the printed structures were assessed according to European Pharmacopoeia guidelines at different printing temperatures and laser scanning speeds in order to determine the suitable printing parameters.

Uptake of inorganic and organic phosphorus compounds by two marine sponges and their associated bacterial communities in aquaria.

Marine sponges are abundant filter-feeders in benthic ecosystems and many host copious microorganisms. Sponges and their symbionts have emerged as major players within marine biogeochemical cycles, facilitating uptake and release of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Sponge holobionts' role in transforming dissolved carbon and nitrogen is well established; however, the same depth of understanding has not yet been extended to phosphorus.

Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α binds and activates γ-secretase for Aβ production under hypoxia and cerebral hypoperfusion.

Hypoxic-ischemic injury has been linked with increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The underlying mechanism of this association is poorly understood. Here, we report distinct roles for hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif-1α) in the regulation of BACE1 and γ-secretase activity, two proteases involved in the production of amyloid-beta (Aβ).

Possible Effects of Bright Light Therapy on Electroencephalogram-Vigilance in the Treatment of Depression in Adolescents: A Pilot Study.

Background: Chronotherapeutic treatments for depression, such as bright light therapy (BLT), are non-invasive and produce almost no side effects. However, study evidence for reliable neurobiological changes associated with treatment response is still rare. Several studies using EEG-vigilance indicate higher arousal and a later decline during resting state in adult depressive patients compared to healthy controls.

A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impact of childhood adversities on the mental health of LGBT+ youth.

Background: The presence of trauma as a backdrop to the lives of LGBT+ youth has been recognised in recent literature. LGBT+ youth report a higher frequency, severity and pervasiveness of adverse childhood experiences when compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. This exposure has been directly related to an increased risk of mental health problems.

Optical Nanosensor for Intracellular and Intracranial Detection of Amyloid-Beta.

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition occurs in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the early detection of Aβ is a persistent challenge. Herein, we engineered a near-infrared optical nanosensor capable of detecting Aβ intracellularly in live cells and intracranially in vivo. The sensor is composed of single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with Aβ wherein Aβ-Aβ interactions drive the response.

Functional insight into LOAD-associated microglial response genes.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal and synaptic loss and inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS). The majority of AD research has been dedicated to the understanding of two major AD hallmarks (i.e.

Audit of surgical specialty patients and beds at Pietersburg Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa in 2021.

Background: While the absolute number of hospital beds is usually discussed, adequate utilisation of beds is a far better instrument to measure departmental efficiency.

Objective: To measure the number of beds for each surgical specialty in Pietersburg Hospital as well as the average length of stay (LoS) to compare bed utilisation.

Method: We conducted a 1-day descriptive cross-sectional audit of patients admitted to surgical wards on 21 April 2021 at Pietersburg Hospital.

Assessing Vesicular Monoamine Transport and Toxicity Using Fluorescent False Neurotransmitters.

Impairments in the vesicular packaging of dopamine result in an accumulation of dopamine in the cytosol. Cytosolic dopamine is vulnerable to two metabolic processes-enzymatic catabolism and enzymatic- or auto-oxidation-that form toxic metabolites and generate reactive oxygen species. Alterations in the expression or activity of the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which transports monoamines such as dopamine from the cytosol into the synaptic vesicle, result in dysregulated dopamine packaging.

Unusual histopathologies of the appendix.

Introduction: Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency. Most commonly it is a result of luminal occlusion that leads to ischaemia and eventually to perforation with resultant localised or diffuse peritonitis. Unusual causes have been documented including viral infections, parasites, tuberculosis and neoplasms.

Recurrent upper extremity acute limb ischemia secondary to retained axillary polytetrafluoroethylene cuff causing axillary stump syndrome.

Acute limb ischemia of the upper extremity is less frequently encountered than in the lower extremity. The etiology is typically cardioembolic. Axillary-femoral stump syndrome is a rare complication associated with an occluded axillary-femoral bypass graft.

Author Correction: Hybrid PET/MRI enables high-spatial resolution, quantitative imaging of amyloid plaques in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Hybrid PET/MRI enables high-spatial resolution, quantitative imaging of amyloid plaques in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

The emergence of PET probes for amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD), enables monitoring of pathology in AD mouse models. However, small-animal PET imaging is limited by coarse spatial resolution. We have installed a custom-fabricated PET insert into our small-animal MRI instrument and used PET/MRI hybrid imaging to define regions of amyloid vulnerability in 5xFAD mice.

Friend, Foe or Both? Immune Activity in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by the presence of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), neuronal death and synaptic loss, and inflammation in the brain. AD research has, in large part, been dedicated to the understanding of Aβ and NFT deposition as well as to the pharmacological reduction of these hallmarks. However, recent GWAS data indicates neuroinflammation plays a critical role in AD development, thereby redirecting research efforts toward unveiling the complexities of AD-associated neuroinflammation.

Microbially mediated nutrient cycles in marine sponges.

Efficient nutrient cycles mediated by symbiotic microorganisms with their hosts are vital to support the high productivity of coral reef ecosystems. In these ecosystems, marine sponges are important habitat-forming organisms in the benthic community and harbor abundant microbial symbionts. However, few studies have reviewed the critical microbially mediated nutrient cycling processes in marine sponges.

Intravenous pyogenic granuloma of the renal vein: A rare morphological differential diagnosis to renal cell carcinoma.

We report the fourth case reported world-wide of an intravenous pyogenic granuloma (IVPG) originating from a renal vessel. This rare and benign tumor is mostly found in the head and neck region and has been described very rarely in association with the kidneys. By reviewing the characteristics of all published cases we suggest diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with possible IVPG in the renal vessels out of the view of highly experienced surgeons specialized in advanced Inferior Vena Cava-thrombectomy.

Kinetics of Langerhans cell chimerism in the skin of dogs following 2 Gy TBI allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Langerhans cells (LC) are bone marrow-derived cells in the skin. The LC donor/recipient chimerism is assumed to influence the incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In nonmyeloablative (NM) HSCT the appearance of acute GVHD is delayed when compared with myeloablative conditioning.

Short-term effects of bright light therapy in adults with chronic nonspecific back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The present trial evaluated incorporation of bright light therapy in the treatment of chronic nonspecific back pain (CNBP).

Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, open design with three parallel trial arms was used.

Setting: Subjects received a novel therapeutic, an expected therapeutic ineffective low dose, or no light exposure at three different medical centers.

Beneficial effect of the bioflavonoid quercetin on cholecystokinin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells.

The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP) is still poorly understood. Thus, a reliable pharmacological therapy is currently lacking. In recent years, an impairment of the energy metabolism of pancreatic acinar cells, caused by Ca(2+)-mediated depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane and a decreased ATP supply, has been implicated as an important pathological event.

Time-dependent decrement of dermal gadolinium deposits and significant improvement of skin symptoms in a patient with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after temporary renal failure.

Background: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) represents a rare fibrosing disorder occurring after administration of gadolinium-containing contrast agents during renal insufficiency. In order to prove the effect of gadolinium elimination on clinical signs, we identified and quantified gadolinium in skin biopsies of a 62-year-old patient with NSF with regard to improving skin lesions after recovery of renal function.

Methods: Gadolinium deposits were visualized and identified in NSF skin biopsies by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (EM) and by scanning EM.

Scanning electron microscopy of growing dental plaque: a quantitative study with different mouth rinses.

The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of different mouth rinses on dental plaque. Wearing splints with enamel pieces 24 volunteers rinsed with essential oils, amine/stannous fluoride, or chlorhexidine digluconate (0.12%) mouth rinses.

Calpain mediates caspase-dependent apoptosis initiated by hydrogen peroxide in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells.

Several studies have shown that oxidative stress induces apoptosis in many cellular systems including pancreatic acinar cells. However, the exact molecular mechanisms leading to apoptosis remain partially understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of the cytosolic cysteine protease calpain in H2O2-induced apoptosis in pancreatic AR42J cells.