Targeted Ganglionated Plexi Ablation With Nanoformulated Calcium Suppresses Postoperative AF Via Vagosympatholytic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

Background: The mechanisms underlying postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remain unclear.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that targeted chemical ganglionated plexi (GP) modulation of all major left atrial-pulmonary vein GP using novel nanoformulated calcium chloride (nCaCl) can reverse postoperative neuroelectrical remodeling by suppressing vagosympathetic nerve activity and the localized inflammatory process, both critical substrates of POAF.

Methods: In a novel canine model of POAF with serial thoracopericardiotomies, sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), vagal nerve activity (VNA) and GP nerve activity (GPNA) were recorded; spontaneous and in vivo AF vulnerability were assessed; and atrial and circulating inflammatory markers and norepinephrine (NE) were measured to determine the neuroelectrical remodeling that promotes POAF and its subsequent modulation with nCaCl GP treatment (n = 6) vs saline sham controls (n = 6).

Hypoxia-inducible factor-targeting therapy augmented the sensitivity to programmed death ligand-1 blockade by enhancing interferon-γ-induced chemokines in tumor cells.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) provide clinical benefits for various advanced malignancies. However, the predictive factors that determine sensitivity to ICIs have not been fully elucidated. We focused on tumor-derived CXCL10/11 as a pivotal factor that determines the response to PD-L1 blockade by regulating T cell accumulation and tumor angiogenesis.

Management of anterior and posterior crossbites with lingual appliances and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion: A case report.

Rationale: Current literature describes only 2 cases combining miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) with lingual appliances. These cases require 2 impressions, 1 before and 1 after palatal expansion, to ensure accurate lingual appliance placement, potentially increasing treatment time and cost. This case report aimed to demonstrate a modified workflow of combining MARPE and lingual appliances in managing an adult patient with anteroposterior and transversal discrepancies, requiring only a single digital impression for both fabrication and positioning.

Corrigendum to "Transforming medical education to strengthen the health professional training in Viet Nam: a case study" [ volume 27 (2022)/S2666606522001584].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.

Modular Design and Self-assembly of pH-Responsive Multidomain Peptides Incorporating Non-natural Ionic Amino Acids.

Stimuli-responsive peptides, particularly pH-responsive variants, hold significant promise in biomedical and technological applications by leveraging the broad pH spectrum inherent to biological environments. However, the limited number of natural pH-responsive amino acids within biologically relevant pH ranges presents challenges for designing rational pH-responsive peptide assemblies. In our study, we introduce a novel approach by incorporating a library of non-natural amino acids featuring chemically diverse tertiary amine side chains.

Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Temporal Trends in Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Causing Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections in Central Vietnam.

(1) Background: Pediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose significant challenges due to drug-resistant () strains. This study utilizes whole-genome sequencing to analyze temporal trends in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in clinical isolates from pediatric UTI cases in central Vietnam. (2) Methods: We conducted whole-genome sequencing on 71 isolates collected from pediatric UTI patients between 2018 and 2020.

Blood pressure control in pregnant patients with chronic hypertension and diabetes: should <130/80 be the target?

Background: The Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy Study demonstrated that a target blood pressure of <140/90 mm Hg during pregnancy is associated with improved perinatal outcomes. Outside of pregnancy, pharmacologic therapy for patients with diabetes and hypertension is adjusted to a target blood pressure of <130/80 mm Hg. During pregnancy, patients with both diabetes and chronic hypertension may also benefit from tighter control with a target blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg.

Impact of water and oleic acid on glycerol monooleate phase transition and bi-continuous structure formation in white oil.

Production of biofuels from biological feedstocks, such as soybean oil, is an important piece of the transition to renewable energy sources. Processes have been developed to co-refine these feedstocks with traditional feedstocks, however, the high concentration of polar functional groups in biofeedstocks can cause a wide range of intermediate chemical reactions and interactions. An improved understanding of the interactions of biofeedstocks and their degradation products is needed to continue to expand the usage of biofeedstocks in fuel production.

Decarboxylation in Natural Products Biosynthesis.

Decarboxylation reactions are frequently found in the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. Decarboxylase enzymes responsible for these transformations operate via diverse mechanisms and act on a large variety of substrates, making them appealing in terms of biotechnological applications. This Perspective focuses on the occurrence of decarboxylation reactions in natural product biosynthesis and provides a perspective on their applications in biocatalysis for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Effect of MDR1 C3435T and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms on the outcome of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment in children with gastritis and peptic ulcer, Vietnam.

Background: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility in Vietnamese children currently get low efficiency. There are causes of treatment failure, among host genetic factors namely MDR1 C3435T and CYP2C19 affect the absorption and metabolism of proton pump inhibitors - a crucial component of eradication therapy. The study aimed to investigate the effect of MDR1 C3435T and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms on the cure rate.

Optimal Timing of Delivery for Pregnant Individuals With Mild Chronic Hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the optimal gestational age to deliver pregnant people with chronic hypertension to improve perinatal outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a planned secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of chronic hypertension treatment to different blood pressure goals. Participants with term, singleton gestations were included.

Fast pleurodesis combining talc poudrage and indwelling pleural catheter for the management of recurrent malignant pleural effusions.

Background And Objectives: Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a frequent and major turning point in neoplastic disease usually leading to poor life expectancy. Improve quality of life and relieve the dyspnea are the main objectives in this palliative care setting. This can be achieved by the placement of an indwelling catheter (IPC) or talc pleurodesis ideally performed by thoracoscopy route (talc poudrage).

Pregnancy Outcomes of Nifedipine Compared With Labetalol for Oral Treatment of Mild Chronic Hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes by type of antihypertensive used in participants of the CHAP (Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy) trial.

Methods: We conducted a planned secondary analysis of CHAP, an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial of antihypertensive treatment compared with standard care (no treatment unless severe hypertension developed) in pregnant patients with mild chronic hypertension (blood pressure 140-159/90-104 mm Hg before 20 weeks of gestation) and singleton pregnancies. We performed three comparisons based on medications prescribed at enrollment: labetalol compared with standard care, nifedipine compared with standard care, and labetalol compared with nifedipine.

Learning Gain During a Fast Self-driven Bronchoscopy Simulation Training: A Preliminary Study Comparing Low and High-fidelity Models.

Background: Nowadays, there is a growing need for competence in bronchoscopy. However, traditional mentorship-based training presents limitations in learning consistency, subjective evaluation, and patient safety concerns. Simulation-based training has gained attention for its potential to enhance skill acquisition and objective assessment.

Eating away cancer: the potential of diet and the microbiome for shaping immunotherapy outcome.

The gut microbiome (GMB) plays a substantial role in human health and disease. From affecting gut barrier integrity to promoting immune cell differentiation, the GMB is capable of shaping host immunity and thus oncogenesis and anti-cancer therapeutic response, particularly with immunotherapy. Dietary patterns and components are key determinants of GMB composition, supporting the investigation of the diet-microbiome-immunity axis as a potential avenue to enhance immunotherapy response in cancer patients.

Developmental outcomes of children born through ICSI versus conventional IVF (cIVF) in couples with non-male factor infertility.

Study Question: In non-male factor infertile couples, are there any differences in the developmental outcomes between children born through ICSI and conventional IVF (cIVF)?

Summary Answer: In this preliminary study, ICSI and cIVF seem to have a comparable effect on developmental outcomes after 12 months in children born to non-male factor infertile couples.

What Is Known Already: ICSI, an invasive technique, has raised concerns about potential developmental abnormalities in children. Limited data are available regarding the developmental outcomes of ICSI-conceived infants born to non-male factor infertile couples.

Promising properties of cytochrome P450 BM3 reconstituted from separate domains by split intein.

Recombinant cytochrome P450 monooxygenases possess significant potential as biocatalysts, and efforts to improve heme content, electron coupling efficiency, and catalytic activity and stability are ongoing. Domain swapping between heme and reductase domains, whether natural or engineered, has thus received increasing attention. Here, we successfully achieved split intein-mediated reconstitution (IMR) of the heme and reductase domains of P450 BM3 both in vitro and in vivo.

Mean Arterial Pressure and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnancies Complicated by Mild Chronic Hypertension.

Objective: To estimate the association between mean arterial pressure during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in participants with chronic hypertension using data from the CHAP (Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy) trial.

Methods: A secondary analysis of the CHAP trial, an open-label, multicenter randomized trial of antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy, was conducted. The CHAP trial enrolled participants with mild chronic hypertension (blood pressure [BP] 140-159/90-104 mm Hg) and singleton pregnancies less than 23 weeks of gestation, randomizing them to active treatment (maintained on antihypertensive therapy with a goal BP below 140/90 mm Hg) or standard treatment (control; antihypertensives withheld unless BP reached 160 mm Hg systolic BP or higher or 105 mm Hg diastolic BP or higher).

Spatio-temporal characterization of drought variability in data-scarce regions using global precipitation data: a case study in Cauto river basin, Cuba.

Drought is considered the most severe water-related disaster in the Cauto river basin, which is the longest river and the main agricultural producer in Cuba. Better understanding of drought characteristics is crucial to drought management. Given the sparsity of ground-based precipitation observations in the Cauto, this study aims at using gridded global precipitation to analyze the spatio-temporal variations of drought in this river basin.

Distracted on duty: A theory-based exploration of influences leading to mobile phone distracted riding among food delivery workers.

Using mobile phones while riding is a form of distracted riding that significantly elevates crash risk. Regrettably, the factors contributing to mobile phone use while riding (MPUWR) among food delivery riders remain under-researched. Addressing this literature gap, the current study employs the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and various socio-economic factors to examine the determinants of MPUWR.

Purification and Characterization of a Small Thermostable Protease from sp. CNXK100.

Proteases derived from demonstrate numerous commendable properties, rendering it extensively applicable in biotechnology and various industrial sectors. This study focused on the purification and characterization of the thermostable protease obtained from sp. CNXK100.

In Situ Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Peptide-PEG Conjugates: A Facile Method for the Construction of Fibrous Hydrogels.

Peptide-based hydrogels have gained considerable attention as a compelling platform for various biomedical applications in recent years. Their attractiveness stems from their ability to seamlessly integrate diverse properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, easily adjustable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, and other functionalities. However, a significant drawback is that most of the functional self-assembling peptides cannot form robust hydrogels suitable for biological applications.