Efficient and accurate determination of the degree of substitution of cellulose acetate using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning.

Multiple linear regression models were trained to predict the degree of substitution (DS) of cellulose acetate based on raw infrared (IR) spectroscopic data. A repeated k-fold cross validation ensured unbiased assessment of model accuracy. Using the DS obtained from H NMR data as reference, the machine learning model achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.

Thermal ablation versus surgical resection of small-size colorectal liver metastases (COLLISION): an international, randomised, controlled, phase 3 non-inferiority trial.

Background: For patients with small-size colorectal liver metastases, growing evidence suggests thermal ablation to be associated with fewer adverse events and faster recovery than resection while also challenging resection in terms of local control and overall survival. This study assessed the potential non-inferiority of thermal ablation compared with surgical resection in patients with small-size resectable colorectal liver metastases.

Methods: Adult patients (aged ≥18 years) from 14 centres in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy with ten or fewer small-size (≤3 cm) colorectal liver metastases, no extrahepatic metastases, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, were stratified per centre, and according to their disease burden, into low, intermediate, and high disease burden subgroups and randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either thermal ablation (experimental group) or surgical resection (control group) of all target colorectal liver metastases using the web-based module Castor electronic data capture with variable block sizes of 4, 6, and 8.

Circulating monocytes upregulate CD52 and sustain innate immune function in cirrhosis unless acute decompensation emerges.

Background & Aims: Infectious complications determine the prognosis of cirrhosis patients. Their infection susceptibility relates to the development of immuneparesis, a complex interplay of different immunosuppressive cells and soluble factors. Mechanisms underlying the dynamics of immuneparesis of innate immunity remain inconclusive.

The effect of mortality salience and early-life maternal care on neuroendocrine, autonomic, and psychological stress responses.

Adverse early-life experiences alter the regulation of major stress systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Low early-life maternal care (MC) has repeatedly been related to blunted cortisol stress responses. Likewise, an acutely increased awareness of mortality (mortality salience [MS]) also has been shown to blunt cortisol responses.

Daily associations among sleep, posttraumatic stress disorder, and positive affect.

Research suggests a bidirectional association between sleep disturbances and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, most studies have been conducted with group-level data, which do not necessarily capture the associations between PTSD symptoms and sleep within an individual over time. This study aimed to add to the literature concerning the association between sleep and PTSD and extend these findings to investigate the effect of sleep disturbances on positive affect.

Establishment of permanent peritoneal PleurX catheter as palliative treatment of malignant ascites.

Introduction: Refractory malignant ascites (RMA) is a manifestation of end-stage cancer disease with a major impact on quality of life due to the symptom burden and need for repeated hospitalisations. We previously described the implantation of the permanent PleurX catheter as a treatment of RMA. The present study aimed to evaluate and describe our experience with the permanent PleurX catheter system in the largest cohort to date.

Integration of multi-omics and benchmark dose modeling to support adverse outcome pathways.

Background: Recent advancements in omics and benchmark dose (BMD) modeling have facilitated identifying the dose required for a predetermined change in a response (e.g. gene or protein change) that can be used to establish acceptable dose levels for hazardous exposures.

No impairment of quality of life after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

There are concerns that radiotherapy for prostate cancer influences health-related quality of life in the long term. Furthermore, it is unclear whether postoperative radiotherapy is associated with a different quality of life due to a higher treatment burden compared to patients having received definitive radiotherapy for prostate cancer. This study enrolled 247 patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer who received external radiotherapy between 2011 and 2021.

Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ankle sprains: Comparing free chatbot recommendations with clinical guidelines.

Background: Free chatbots powered by large language models offer lateral ankle sprains (LAS) treatment recommendations but lack scientific validation.

Methods: The chatbots-Claude, Perplexity, and ChatGPT-were evaluated by comparing their responses to a questionnaire and their treatment algorithms against current clinical guidelines. Responses were graded on accuracy, conclusiveness, supplementary information, and incompleteness, and evaluated individually and collectively, with a 60 % pass threshold.

TNIK: A redox sensor in endothelial cell permeability.

Dysregulation of endothelial barrier integrity can lead to vascular leak and potentially fatal oedema. TNF-α controls endothelial permeability during inflammation and requires the actin organizing Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins. We identified TRAF2 and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) as a kinase directly phosphorylating and activating ERM, specifically at the plasma membrane of primary human endothelial cells.

Role of Steatosis in Preventing Post-hepatectomy Liver Failure After Major Resection: Findings From an Animal Study.

Background/aim: Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and hepatic steatosis are evident shortly after extensive partial hepatectomy (PH) in rodents. This study aimed to extrapolate the protein expression and biological pathways involved in recovering PHLF (rPHLF) and non-recovering PHLF (nrPHLF).

Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to 90% PH or sham surgery.

Outcome of IWGT workshop on transcriptomic biomarkers for genotoxicity: Key considerations for bioinformatics.

As a part of the International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) in 2022, a workgroup was formed to evaluate the level of validation and regulatory acceptance of transcriptomic biomarkers that identify genotoxic substances. Several such biomarkers have been developed using various molecular techniques and computational approaches. Within the IWGT workgroup on transcriptomic biomarkers, bioinformatics was a central topic of discussion, focusing on the current approaches used to process the underlying molecular data to distill a reliable predictive signal; that is, a gene set that is indicative of genotoxicity and can then be used in later studies to predict potential DNA damaging properties for uncharacterized chemicals.

An automated platform trial framework for A/B testing.

This paper proposes a platform trial for conducting A/B tests with multiple arms and interim monitoring to investigate the impact of several factors on the expected sample size and probability of early stopping. We examined the performance of three stopping boundaries: O'Brien Fleming (OBF) stopping for either futility or difference (both), Pocock stopping for futility only, and fixed sample size design. We simulated twelve scenarios of different orders of arms based on various effect sizes, as well as considered 1 or 3 interim looks.

Dose-Related Mutagenic and Clastogenic Effects of Benzo[]fluoranthene in Mouse Somatic Tissues Detected by Duplex Sequencing and the Micronucleus Assay.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental pollutants that originate from the incomplete combustion of organic materials. We investigated the clastogenicity and mutagenicity of benzo[]fluoranthene (BbF), one of 16 priority PAHs, in MutaMouse males after a 28 day oral exposure. BbF causes robust dose-dependent increases in micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood, indicative of chromosome damage.

Early life adversity blunts the subjective and physiological relaxation response in healthy adults.

While Early Live Adversity (ELA) is a known risk factor for mental and physical diseases, the investigation into the mechanisms behind this connection is ongoing. In the present study, we investigated whether ELA blunts the relaxation response in healthy adults. Using a within-subjects design, we employed a paced breathing exercise (four seconds inhale, six seconds exhale) and a 360° nature video as relaxation interventions while measuring physiological relaxation using heart rate variability and subjective relaxation using the Relaxation State Questionnaire.

Femoroacetabular Impingement: Preoperative Planning and Postoperative MR Imaging Evaluation.

Imaging plays a critical role in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of patients with femoroacetabular impingement. Non-contrast MR imaging and direct magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip are the modalities of choice for the preoperative assessment of chondrolabral lesions. The MRI protocol should include radial images for detailed analysis of the cam deformity and fast sequences covering the pelvis and knee for measurement of femoral torsion.

Mutational signature analyses in multi-child families reveal sources of age-related increases in human germline mutations.

Whole-genome sequencing studies of parent-offspring trios have provided valuable insights into the potential impact of de novo mutations (DNMs) on human health and disease. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive DNMs are unclear. Studies with multi-child families can provide important insight into the causes of inter-family variability in DNM rates but they are highly limited.

Does cardiorespiratory fitness moderate the relationship between overweight, cardiovascular risk markers and mental health among forcibly displaced individuals living in a Greek refugee camp?

Objectives: Refugees may have an increased risk of developing overweight/obesity as they often experience a nutritional transition. Because maintaining good cardiorespiratory fitness can help reduce the negative impact of excess weight on overall health, the objective of this study was to examine whether fitness moderates the relationship between weight status and cardiovascular and mental health outcomes in forcibly displaced individuals living in a Greek refugee camp.

Methods: A sample of 142 forcibly displaced individuals were recruited.

Maternal Outcome in Pregnant Women Undergoing Third Caesarean Section After Onset of Labor.

Background/aim: Our study compares repeat cesarian section with and without labor in progress and evaluates adverse maternal outcomes that could discourage pregnant women in planning labor at term or at least after 39 weeks of gestation as recommended due to benefits in neonatal outcome.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 191 patients undergoing third C-section and compared two groups of women of undergoing C-section either before or after the onset of labor. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of maternal morbidity.

Study while you sleep: using targeted memory reactivation as an independent research project for undergraduates.

Newly acquired information is stabilized into long-term memory through the process of consolidation. Memories are not static; rather, they are constantly updated via reactivation, and this reactivation occurs preferentially during slow-wave sleep (SWS; also referred to as N3 in humans). Here we present a scalable neuroscience research investigation of memory reactivation using low-cost electroencephalogram (EEG) recording hardware and open-source software for students and educators across the K-12 and higher education spectrum.

Change in Femoral Offset after Closed Reduction and Dynamic Hip Screw Osteosynthesis Via Lateral Approach in Patients with Medial Femoral Neck Fracture: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objective: Closed reduction and dynamic hip screw (DHS) osteosynthesis are preferred as joint-preserving therapy in case of medial femoral neck fractures (MFNFs). A change in the femoral offset (CFO) can cause gait abnormality, impingement, or greater trochanteric pain syndrome. It is unknown whether the femoral offset (FO) can be postoperatively fully restored.