Predictive Factors for Chemoradiation-Induced Oral Mucositis and Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Despite advances in head and neck cancer treatment, virtually all patients experience chemoradiation-induced toxicities. Oral mucositis (OM) and dysphagia are among the most prevalent and have a systemic impact on patients, hampering treatment outcome and harming quality of life. Accurate prediction of severe cases is crucial for improving management strategies and, ultimately, patient outcomes.

The evolution of synaptic and cognitive capacity: Insights from the nervous system transcriptome of .

The gastropod mollusk is an important model for cellular and molecular neurobiological studies, particularly for investigations of molecular mechanisms of learning and memory. We developed an optimized assembly pipeline to generate an improved nervous system transcriptome. This improved transcriptome enabled us to explore the evolution of cognitive capacity at the molecular level.

Molecular profiling of individual FDA-approved clinical drugs identifies modulators of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) degrades transcripts with premature stop codons. Given the prevalence of nonsense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the general population, it is urgent to catalog the effects of clinically approved drugs on NMD activity: any interference could alter the expression of nonsense SNPs, inadvertently inducing adverse effects. This risk is higher for patients with disease-causing nonsense mutations or an illness linked to dysregulated nonsense transcripts.

Sex chromosome transformation and the origin of a male-specific X chromosome in the creeping vole.

The mammalian sex chromosome system (XX female/XY male) is ancient and highly conserved. The sex chromosome karyotype of the creeping vole () represents a long-standing anomaly, with an X chromosome that is unpaired in females (X0) and exclusively maternally transmitted. We produced a highly contiguous male genome assembly, together with short-read genomes and transcriptomes for both sexes.

Nanopore sequencing and the Shasta toolkit enable efficient de novo assembly of eleven human genomes.

De novo assembly of a human genome using nanopore long-read sequences has been reported, but it used more than 150,000 CPU hours and weeks of wall-clock time. To enable rapid human genome assembly, we present Shasta, a de novo long-read assembler, and polishing algorithms named MarginPolish and HELEN. Using a single PromethION nanopore sequencer and our toolkit, we assembled 11 highly contiguous human genomes de novo in 9 d.

Comparison of scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy and laparoscopic Palomo surgery in treatment of adolescent varicocele: A 15-year review.

Introduction/objective: Varicocele is a common condition seen in adolescence and associated with adult subfertility. Numerous types of intervention have been described with differences in success and complication rates. This study aims to review and compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic Palomo surgery and scrotal antegrade sclerotherapy at our center.

Surgical Outcome Analysis of Pneumovesicoscopic Ureteral Reimplantation and Endoscopic Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children: A Multicenter 12-Year Review.

Objective: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common condition associated with childhood urinary tract infection (UTI), which may lead to chronic renal failure and hypertension. Different antireflux approaches were advocated with differences in morbidity and success. The aim of this study is to review and analyze the surgical outcomes of pneumovesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation and endoscopic injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA) in three tertiary centers.

D-dimer level correlation with treatment response in children with venous malformations.

Aim: Localized intravascular coagulopathy is present in children with venous malformations (VMs) as evidenced by elevated D-dimer levels. Few studies have looked into the changes in D-dimer after sclerotherapy and its correlation with treatment outcome and complications. Our study aims to investigate changes in D-dimer in children with VMs undergoing alcohol sclerotherapy.

Molecular rheotaxis directs DNA migration and concentration against a pressure-driven flow.

In-line preconcentration techniques are used to improve the sensitivity of microfluidic DNA analysis platforms. The most common methods are electrokinetic and require an externally applied electric field. Here we describe a microfluidic DNA preconcentration technique that does not require an external field.

Are all patients with short segment Hirschsprung's disease equal? A retrospective multicenter study.

Background/purpose: Short segment Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) carries a better prognosis than long segment disease, but the definition of short is controversial. The objective of this study is to determine anatomically the extent of disease involvement that would be associated with a better functional outcome.

Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter (n = 3) study with patients (≥ 3 years) who had transanal pullthrough operation done for aganglionosis limited to the recto-sigmoid colon were reviewed.

Determination of absolute expression profiles using multiplexed miRNA analysis.

Accurate measurement of miRNA expression is critical to understanding their role in gene expression as well as their application as disease biomarkers. Correct identification of changes in miRNA expression rests on reliable normalization to account for biological and technological variance between samples. Ligo-miR is a multiplex assay designed to rapidly measure absolute miRNA copy numbers, thus reducing dependence on biological controls.

A Simple Thermoplastic Substrate Containing Hierarchical Silica Lamellae for High-Molecular-Weight DNA Extraction.

An inexpensive, magnetic thermoplastic nanomaterial is developed utilizing a hierarchical layering of micro- and nanoscale silica lamellae to create a high-surface-area and low-shear substrate capable of capturing vast amounts of ultrahigh-molecular-weight DNA. Extraction is performed via a simple 45 min process and is capable of achieving binding capacities up to 1 000 000 times greater than silica microparticles.

A Multiplex Ligation Assay for miRNA Copy Number Profiling.

Ligo-miR is an assay technology that can perform multiplexed detection of miRNAs from a wide range of biological sources. At its core are two sequential ligation steps. First in the capture ligation, template molecules are created by ligating a DNA adapter to the 3' end of all miRNA molecules.

Venous Malformation and Localized Intravascular Coagulopathy in Children.

 Localized intravascular coagulopathy (LIC) has been described in adults with venous malformation (VM) but rarely reported in children. This study aims to determine the prevalence of LIC in children with VM and associated risk factors.  Patients younger than 18 years with VM from 2010 to 2014 were reviewed.

Single Molecule Hydrodynamic Separation Allows Sensitive and Quantitative Analysis of DNA Conformation and Binding Interactions in Free Solution.

Limited tools exist that are capable of monitoring nucleic acid conformations, fluctuations, and distributions in free solution environments. Single molecule free solution hydrodynamic separation enables the unique ability to quantitatively analyze nucleic acid biophysics in free solution. Single molecule fluorescent burst data and separation chromatograms can give layered insight into global DNA conformation, binding interactions, and molecular distributions.

Efficient synthesis of stably adenylated DNA and RNA adapters for microRNA capture using T4 RNA ligase 1.

MicroRNA profiling methods have become increasingly important due to the rapid rise of microRNA in both basic and translational sciences. A critical step in many microRNA profiling assays is adapter ligation using pre-adenylated adapters. While pre-adenylated adapters can be chemically or enzymatically prepared, enzymatic adenylation is preferred due to its ease and high yield.

Pancreatic kaposiform hemangioendothelioma presenting with duodenal obstruction and kasabach-merritt phenomenon: a neonate cured by whipple operation.

Aim Kaposiform hemangiondothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor, commonly associated with Kasaback-Merritt phenomenon characterized by thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy. We report a case of pancreatic KHE presenting with neonatal duodenal obstruction and Kasaback-Merritt phenomenon. Case Report A full term male baby presented with bile stained vomiting on Day 3 of life.

From observation to aetiology: a case report of a twin fetus-in-fetu and a revisit of the known rarity.

A baby girl presented with an antenatal diagnosis of a retroperitoneal tumour. Postnatal imaging suggested that this mass contained two fetiform structures with spine and long bone formation. This teratomatous mass was completely excised at 3 weeks of age.

Direct interrogation of DNA content distribution in nanoparticles by a novel microfluidics-based single-particle analysis.

Nonviral gene delivery holds great promise not just as a safer alternative to viral vectors in traditional gene therapy applications, but also for regenerative medicine, induction of pluripotency in somatic cells, and RNA interference for gene silencing. Although it continues to be an active area of research, there remain many challenges to the rational design of vectors. Among these, the inability to characterize the composition of nanoparticles and its distribution has made it difficult to probe the mechanism of gene transfection process, since differences in the nanoparticle-mediated transfection exist even when the same vector is used.

Elimination of ligation dependent artifacts in T4 RNA ligase to achieve high efficiency and low bias microRNA capture.

Adapter ligation is a critical first step in many microRNA analysis methods including microarray, qPCR, and sequencing. Previous studies have shown that ligation bias can have dramatic effects on both the fidelity of expression profiles and reproducibility across samples. We have developed a method for high efficiency and low bias microRNA capture by 3' adapter ligation using T4 RNA ligase that does not require pooled adapters.

Identification of the major sex pheromone component of the scale insect, Aulacaspis murrayae Takahashi.

(R)-Solanone was identified as a female-specific compound from aerations of virgin females of the scale insect, Aulacaspis murrayae Takahashi. The stereochemistry of the insect-produced solanone was confirmed to be (R) by comparison with synthesized racemic and chiral standards on a chiral stationary phase GC column. In bioassays, males were strongly attracted to a synthesized sample of (R)-solanone, demonstrating that this compound is a sex pheromone component for this species.

Management of the low-flow head and neck vascular malformations in children: the sclerotherapy protocol.

Aim: Image-guided sclerotherapy is becoming the preferred treatment for low-flow vascular malformations in head and neck region. The authors review the management protocol for this condition and evaluate its clinical outcomes.

Methods: Children with low-flow vascular malformations in head and neck region undergoing sclerotherapy from 2010 to 2013 were reviewed.

Hong Kong Chinese parents' attitudes towards circumcision.

Objective: To investigate Hong Kong Chinese parents' knowledge and attitudes towards phimosis and circumcision.

Design: Questionnaire survey.

Setting: Four primary schools in Hong Kong.

Retroperitoneal pelvic packing for haemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures in children and adolescents: a level-one trauma-centre experience.

Purpose: This study aims to review the outcomes of haemodynamically unstable paediatric patients with pelvic fractures undergoing protocol intervention of retroperitoneal pelvic packing (RPP) with external fixation and angiography.

Methods: From 2004 to 2011, consecutive patients younger than 19 years treated in our centre for haemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures were retrospectively reviewed. From 2008, protocol intervention triad of external fixation, RPP, and angiography with embolization was implemented.

Serial transverse enteroplasty for short bowel syndrome: Hong Kong experience.

Objective: To report our experience with the first series of serial transverse enteroplasty operations (a novel bowel-lengthening procedure for patients with short bowel syndrome). DESIGN. Case series.