AI-Driven insights in pancreatic cancer imaging: from pre-diagnostic detection to prognostication.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, largely due to its poor five-year survival rate and frequent late-stage diagnosis. A significant barrier to early detection even in high-risk cohorts is that the pancreas often appears morphologically normal during the pre-diagnostic phase. Yet, the disease can progress rapidly from subclinical stages to widespread metastasis, undermining the effectiveness of screening.

Trauma video review analysis: Increased provider movement impedes trauma team performance.

Introduction: Trauma team performance, measured by the non-technical skills scale T-NOTECHS, has been shown to impact patient outcomes. We assess how personnel movements affect non-technical skills and time of resuscitation(TOR) using trauma video review.

Methods: A prospective study of blunt and/or penetrating trauma activations recorded between May and November 2023 ​at a Level-I trauma center.

Proficiency Levels and Validity Evidence for Scoring Metrics for a Virtual Reality and Inanimate Robotic Surgery Simulation Curriculum.

Objective: Our institution recently implemented a virtual reality (VR) skills curriculum for general surgery residents using the SimNow simulator. Based on a content alignment study, we revised the curriculum to include only 20 of 33 VR tasks and we added 3 previously validated inanimate tasks. The purpose of this study was to establish expert-derived proficiency levels for all tasks and to evaluate the validity of the scoring for the VR tasks.

Two Receptor Binding Strategy of SARS-CoV-2 Is Mediated by Both the N-Terminal and Receptor-Binding Spike Domain.

It is not well understood why severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 spreads much faster than other β-coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV. In a previous publication, we predicted the binding of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike to sialic acids (SAs). Here, we experimentally validate this interaction and present simulations that reveal a second possible interaction between SAs and the spike protein via a binding site located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD).

Improved Thermal Performance and Distillate of Conventional Solar Still via Copper Plate, Phase Change Material and CuO Nanoparticles.

Background: The world is currently facing a growing concern regarding freshwater scarcity, which has arisen as a result of a complex interplay of various factors. Renewable energy-powered water desalination is a feasible solution to address freshwater scarcity.

Methods: This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the performance of a conventional solar still (CSS) and its modified versions, such as a still with copper plates, a still with PCM and a still with PCM and 3 wt% CuO nanoparticles blend.

Assessing a Structured Mental Fitness Program for Academic Acute Care Surgeons: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: There is a well-established positive correlation between improved physician wellness and patient care outcomes. Mental fitness is a component of wellness that is understudied in academic medicine. We piloted a structured mental fitness Positive Intelligence (PQ) training program for academic surgeons, hypothesizing this would be associated with improvements in PQ scores, wellness, sleep, and trainee evaluations.

Oral Manifestations of Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Comparison of Blood and Salivary Glucose Levels.

Background and introduction Diabetes mellitus is a common systemic disease in nearly all countries. Its prevalence has been increasing. Thus, early detection and control of this disorder are urgent tasks.

Molecular characterization and antifungal activity of lipopeptides produced from Bacillus subtilis against plant fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata.

Over 380 host plant species have been known to develop leaf spots as a result of the fungus Alternaria alternata. It is an aspiring pathogen that affects a variety of hosts and causes rots, blights, and leaf spots on different plant sections. In this investigation, the lipopeptides from the B.

Assessing North Texas Regional Trauma Handoffs: A Multicenter Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment.

Introduction: Trauma video review of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) handoffs demonstrates frequent problems including interruptions and incomplete information transfer. This study aimed to perform a regional needs assessment of handoff perceptions and expectations to guide future standardization efforts.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team of trauma providers through consensus building created an anonymous survey which was then distributed through the North Central Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council and four regional level-1 trauma institutions.

Sequence-targeted Peptides Divert Functional Bacterial Amyloid Towards Destabilized Aggregates and Reduce Biofilm Formation.

Functional bacterial amyloid provides structural stability in biofilm, making it a promising target for anti-biofilm therapeutics. Fibrils formed by CsgA, the major amyloid component in E. coli are extremely robust and can withstand very harsh conditions.

Under the Lens: Team Perception of Trauma Video Review.

Background: Video-based assessment and review are becoming increasingly common, and trauma video review (TVR) has been shown to be an effective educational, quality improvement, and research tool. Yet, trauma team perception of TVR remains incompletely understood.

Objective: We evaluated positive and negative perceptions of TVR across multiple team member groups.

Null genotypes of Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 and risk of oral cancer: A meta-analysis.

Background: Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and Glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null genotypes have been considered risk factors for many cancers. Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the association of null genotype of GSTM1 and GSTT1 with increased susceptibility to oral cancers, and these have produced inconsistent and inconclusive results. In the present study, the possible association of oral cancer(OC) with GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes was explored by a meta analysis.

Drug repurposing screens identify compounds that inhibit α-synuclein oligomers' membrane disruption and block antibody interactions.

Small soluble oligomers of the protein α-synuclein (αSO) have been linked to disruptions in neuronal homeostasis, contributing to the development of Parkinson's Disease (PD). While this makes αSO an obvious drug target, the development of effective therapeutics against αSO is challenged by its low abundance and structural and morphological complexity. Here, we employ two different approaches to neutralize toxic interactions made by αSOs with different cellular components.

Evaluating emergency department tube thoracostomy: A single-center use of trauma video review to assess efficiency and technique.

Background: Emergency department tube thoracostomy is a common procedure; however, assessing procedural skills is difficult. We sought to describe procedural variability and technical complications of emergency department tube thoracostomy using trauma video review. We hypothesized that factors such as hemodynamic abnormality lead to increased technical difficulty and malpositioning.

The case for a new post-graduate hernia designation: a review of fellowship council case logs from the past twelve-years.

Background: The Fellowship Council (FC) is a robust accreditation body with numerous fellowships; however, no specific criteria exist for hernia fellowships. This study analyzed the case log database to evaluate trends in fellowship exposure to hernia repairs.

Methods: FC hernia case log records (2007-2019) were coded as inguinal or ventral hernias and with or without mesh repair.

Developing a Robotic Surgery Curriculum: Selection of Virtual Reality Drills for Content Alignment.

Introduction: Despite the importance of simulation-based training for robotic surgery, there is no consensus about its training curricula. Recently, a virtual reality (VR) platform (SimNow, Intuitive, Inc) was introduced with 33 VR drills but without evidence of their validity. As part of our creating a new robotic VR curriculum, we assessed the drills' validity through content mapping and the alignment between learning goals and drill content.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) personal protective equipment training: Using simulation-based training to prevent healthcare-associated infection.

In this pre- and postintervention study, we demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of comprehensive simulation-based personal protective equipment (PPE) training amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With rapid-cycle, deliberate practice feedback, simulation-based training can improve the learners' sense of confidence and security while standardizing PPE protocols.

The role of simulation-based training in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention.

Objectives: To perform a review of the literature on the role of simulation-based training (SBT) in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention and to highlight the importance of SBT as an educational tool in infection prevention.

Methods: We reviewed English language publications from PubMed to select original articles that utilized SBT as the primary mode of education for infection prevention efforts in acute-care hospitals.

Results: Overall, 27 publications utilized SBT as primary mode of education for HAI prevention in acute-care hospitals.

Educational Experience Impacts Wellness More than Hours Worked.

Objective: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has focused its interests on resident wellbeing and the clinical work environment in recent years. Concerns regarding both duty hours as well as service obligations versus education resulted in programs nationwide receiving citations, including ours. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of those 2 factors on surgical residents' general wellbeing, hypothesizing that service obligations would be a stronger predictor.

SAGES safe cholecystectomy modules improve practicing surgeons' judgment: results of a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Despite the advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, major bile duct injury (BDI) rates during this operation remain unacceptably high. In October 2018, SAGES released the Safe Cholecystectomy modules, which define specific strategies to minimize the risk of BDI. This study aims to investigate whether this curriculum can change the knowledge and behaviors of surgeons in practice.

Developing artificial intelligence models for medical student suturing and knot-tying video-based assessment and coaching.

Background: Early introduction and distributed learning have been shown to improve student comfort with basic requisite suturing skills. The need for more frequent and directed feedback, however, remains an enduring concern for both remote and in-person training. A previous in-person curriculum for our second-year medical students transitioning to clerkships was adapted to an at-home video-based assessment model due to the social distancing implications of COVID-19.

Utility of serum and salivary lactate dehydrogenase and uric acid levels as a diagnostic profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Background: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an intra-cellular enzyme present in all cells of the body, catalyses the final step of anaerobic glycolysis. This intra-cellular enzyme is released into the extra-cellular space after tissue disintegration, which is evident in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, investigations comparing Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in OSCC and healthy controls have shown conflicting findings in both serum and saliva samples.

GOLM1 depletion modifies cellular sphingolipid metabolism and adversely affects cell growth.

Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) is a Golgi-resident type 2 transmembrane protein known to be overexpressed in several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as in viral infections. However, the role of GOLM1 in lipid metabolism remains enigmatic. In this study, we employed siRNA-mediated GOLM1 depletion in Huh-7 HCC cells to study the role of GOLM1 in lipid metabolism.

FishShapes v1: Functionally relevant measurements of teleost shape and size on three dimensions.

Teleost fishes account for 96% of all fish species and exhibit a spectacular variety of body forms. Teleost lineages range from deep bodied to elongate (e.g.