Circulating tumor DNA status and dynamics predict recurrence in patients with resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background & Aims: Surgery is the only curative therapeutic option for resectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but recurrence is common, and prognosis is poor. There is an unmet clinical need for improved decision-making regarding adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). Herein, we evaluated the usefulness of monitoring longitudinal circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for molecular residual disease (MRD) in patients from the STAMP trial, which compares the efficacy of adjuvant capecitabine (CAP) vs.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., isolated from marine red algae.

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacteria, designated as strains S88 and W115, exhibiting catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions, were isolated from marine red algae in South Korea. Strain S88 exhibited growth at 20-30 °C, pH 6.0-9.

Low-cost urban heat environment sensing device with Android platform for digital twin.

The proper monitoring of heat and meteorological variables is essential for the well-being of residents of metropolitan areas. It is challenging to configure spatial heat variations in complex urban environments, even though the temporal variation of urban heat flux has been measured at several designated monitoring stations. Neither the budget nor existing techniques for efficient urban heat monitoring are sufficient for a digital twin of the urban heat environment.

Initial Assessment of Resectability of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases Versus Clinical Outcome.

Background: Surgery improves long-term survival for resectable, liver-only metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). With no consensus definition of "resectable" disease, decisions regarding resectability are reliant on the expertise and judgement of the treating clinician working in consultation with a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This study examines the clinical outcome versus initial assessment of resectability in an Australian population with mCRC.

Innate immune response to bone fracture healing.

The field of osteoimmunology has primarily focused on fracture healing in isolated musculoskeletal injuries. The innate immune system is the initial response to fracture, with inflammatory macrophages, cytokines, and neutrophils arriving first at the fracture hematoma, followed by an anti-inflammatory phase to begin the process of new bone formation. This review aims to first discuss the current literature and knowledge gaps on the immune responses governing single fracture healing by encompassing the individual role of macrophages, neutrophils, cytokines, mesenchymal stem cells, bone cells, and other immune cells.

Test-Retest Reliability and Responsiveness of the Machine Learning-Based Short-Form of the Berg Balance Scale in Persons With Stroke.

Objective: To examine the test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and clinical utility of the machine learning-based short form of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS-ML) in persons with stroke.

Design: Repeated-measures design.

Setting: A department of rehabilitation in a medical center.

Serum lipidomic signatures in patients with varying histological severity of metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a spectrum of pathologies ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Patients with metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with fibrosis are at greatest risk of liver and cardiovascular complications. To identify such at-risk MASLD patients, physicians are still reliant on invasive liver biopsies.

Rat Hepatitis E Virus Isolates Cluster among Urban Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) across a Roadway.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a globally distributed pathogen that causes acute hepatitis in people. Recent human cases of HEV arising after contact with urban rats (Rattus spp.) have raised concerns regarding whether rats may be a source of HEV infection.

Longitudinal trajectories of health-related quality of life among critical care survivors: A latent class growth approach.

Objectives: This study explored the trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the factors influencing these trajectories.

Research Methodology/design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: 19 intensive care units (ICUs) in South Korea.

Initiation of lumen formation from junctions via differential actomyosin contractility regulated by dynamic recruitment of Rasip1.

De novo lumen formation necessitates the precise segregation of junctional proteins from apical surfaces, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using a zebrafish model, we develop a series of molecular reporters, photo-convertible and optogenetic tools to study the establishment of apical domains. Our study identifies Rasip1 as one of the earliest apical proteins recruited, which suppresses actomyosin contractility at junctional patches by inhibiting NMII, thereby allowing for the sustained outward flow of junctional complexes.

Subcutaneous furosemide in heart failure: a systematic review.

Background And Aim: Intravenous loop diuretics are the primary treatment for congestion in patients with decompensated heart failure (HF). Furosemide is the most commonly used loop diuretic and is licensed for administration either orally, intramuscularly or intravenously but not subcutaneously. Recently developed, pH-neutral, concentrated, 'skin-friendly' preparations of furosemide have been developed which allow subcutaneous administration.

Synergistic Integration of Carbon Quantum Dots in Biopolymer Matrices: An Overview of Current Advancements in Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Active Packaging.

Approximately one-third of the world's food production, i.e., 1.

Anti-Cancer Strategy Based on Changes in the Role of Autophagy Depending on the Survival Environment and Tumorigenesis Stages.

Autophagy is a crucial mechanism for recycling intracellular materials, and under normal metabolic conditions, it is maintained at low levels in cells. However, when nutrients are deficient or under hypoxic conditions, the level of autophagy significantly increases. Particularly in cancer cells, which grow more rapidly than normal cells and tend to grow in a three-dimensional manner, cells inside the cell mass often face limited oxygen supply, leading to inherently higher levels of autophagy.

Lessons from IgA Nephropathy Models.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common type of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide; however, the underlying mechanisms of this disease are not fully understood. This review explores several animal models that provide insights into IgAN pathogenesis, emphasizing the roles of aberrant IgA1 glycosylation and immune complex formation. It discusses spontaneous, immunization, and transgenic models illustrating unique aspects of IgAN development and progression.

TGF-β-Induced PAUF Plays a Pivotal Role in the Migration and Invasion of Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Line Panc-1.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma upregulated factor (PAUF) was initially identified as a secreted protein that is substantially expressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PAUF also affects invasiveness, motility, and the proliferation of cells in several types of cancer. Recently, PAUF was reported to play a pivotal role in the TLR4-mediated migration and invasion of PDAC cells.

Changes in Technology Acceptance of Smart Care Beds Among Long-Term Care Workers in Korea.

Objectives: This study investigates the changing perceptions of Korean care workers regarding a robotic bed designed to assist with repositioning and prevent pressure ulcers. With the primary aim of assessing the technology acceptance among care workers using the robotic bed to solve the problem of a shortage of care workers in Korea, we sought to examine the possibility of applying care robots in the field.

Methods: A total of 20 long-term care workers participated in the experiment, and their attitudes were measured before and after using the robot.

Transitional Care Program in Reducing Acute Hospital Utilization in Singapore.

(1) Background: The evidence to support transitional care in reducing acute hospital utilization is variable. Despite changes in the healthcare landscape with a rapidly aging population, there is a lack of local and regional studies to evaluate the effectiveness of transitional home care programs. This study investigates whether a transitional home care program delivered by an acute tertiary hospital can reduce acute hospital utilization.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for fibromyalgia-like syndrome in patients with Long-COVID: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

This study investigated the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for fibromyalgia-like symptoms including chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and/or gait impairment in twenty-five individuals with long-COVID. Participants were randomized to a high dose (intervention group, IG) or low dose (placebo group, PG) TENS device. Both groups received daily 3-5 h of TENS therapy for 4-weeks.

Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine therapies for the treatment of mild/moderate acute COVID-19: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Increasing evidence has emerged for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) to treat COVID-19 which requires systematic summaries of the net benefits of interventions against standard care and one another. The study aims to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) regarding TCIM therapies for treating mild/moderate acute COVID-19, potentially informing the WHO guideline development and clinical decision-making.

Methods And Analysis: We will search Embase, MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library on Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, WHO's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform with additional searches of Chinese and Korean literature sources for randomised controlled trials comparing TCIM with placebo, standard care, no treatment or with an alternate type of TCIM to treat COVID-19.

Periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major global health concern linked to significant morbidity and mortality. Recent research has explored the relationship between ASCVD and periodontitis, a prevalent inflammatory oral condition. Epidemiological studies have suggested a strong association between periodontitis and ASCVD, even proposing that periodontal disease could be a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular conditions.

Effects of a coal to clean heating policy on acute myocardial infarction in Beijing: a difference-in-differences analysis.

Background: In 2015, the Chinese Government launched the coal to clean heating policy (CHP), designed to improve air quality and health in China. The CHP banned household coal burning and provided subsidies for clean electric or gas-powered heating for millions of peri-urban and rural households. We aimed to investigate whether the CHP affected the incidence of acute myocardial infarction in Beijing townships.