Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Sequential Intragastric Balloon (IGB) Treatment for Super Obesity: A Single Centre Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: We aimed to assess outcomes in patients undergoing sequential intragastric balloon (IGB) treatment for obesity.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent treatment between May 2014 and February 2023 were identified. We recorded outcomes including: weight at 3-monthly intervals, progression to definitive bariatric procedure and morbidity.

Oncolytic viruses expressing MATEs facilitate target-independent T-cell activation in tumors.

Oncolytic viruses (OV) expressing bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) are promising tools for tumor immunotherapy but the range of target tumors is limited. To facilitate effective T-cell stimulation with broad-range applicability, we established membrane-associated T-cell engagers (MATEs) harboring the protein transduction domain of the HIV-Tat protein to achieve non-selective binding to target cells. In vitro, MATEs effectively activated murine T cells and improved killing of MC38 colon carcinoma cells.

Evaluating the implementation of the rapid prenatal exome sequencing (pES) service in England.

Introduction In October 2020, a national rapid prenatal exome sequencing (pES) service was rolled out across the English National Health Service (NHS). This service is delivered by multiple clinical and two laboratory teams. Whilst there was high level national guidance to support implementation, it was unclear how the service has been delivered in practice.

WNT signaling contributes to the extrahepatic bile duct proliferative response to obstruction in mice.

Biliary obstruction and cholangiocyte hyperproliferation are important features of cholangiopathies affecting the large extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD). The mechanisms underlying obstruction-induced cholangiocyte proliferation in the EHBD remain poorly understood. Developmental pathways, including WNT signaling, are implicated in regulating injury responses in many tissues, including the liver.

Allosteric substrate release by a sialic acid TRAP transporter substrate binding protein.

The tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters enable Vibrio cholerae and Haemophilus influenzae to acquire sialic acid, aiding their colonization of human hosts. This process depends on SiaP, a substrate-binding protein (SBP) that captures and delivers sialic acid to the transporter. We identified 11 nanobodies that bind specifically to the SiaP proteins from H.