Hydrolysis of palm kernel meal fibre using a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis F6 with high mannanase activity.

Palm kernel meal (PKM) presents a challenge for non-ruminant livestock feeding due to its high fibre content predominantly in the form of mannan. Microbial fermentation offers a sustainable solution for fibre hydrolysis in lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, a Bacillus subtilis strain (F6), with high mannanase secretion capability, was isolated from the environment.

In Situ Unravelling NiOOH Species on Flower-Like NiFeCo LDH/NbCT for Ameliorated Solar-Powered Bifunctional Electrocatalytic Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation Coupled with Hydrogen Evolution.

Developing bifunctional electrocatalysts from earth-abundant first-row transition metals for large-scale hydrogen production through water electrolysis is both promising and challenging. This study presents a ternary layered double hydroxide (LDH) as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and benzyl alcohol oxidation (BAOR). The synergy between 2D NiFeCo LDH and non-Ti-based NbCT MXene enhances electrochemical performance.

Ocular Myasthenia gravis: determining the predictive factors of secondary generalisation.

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) can be classified according to clinical features into ocular MG (OMG) and generalised MG (GMG). However, OMG carries the risk of conversion to GMG. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictive factors for the secondary generalisation of OMG patients.

MRI spine request form enhancement and auto protocoling using a secure institutional large language model.

Background Context: Secure institutional large language models (LLM) could reduce the burden of noninterpretative tasks for radiologists.

Purpose: Assess the utility of a secure institutional LLM for MRI spine request form enhancement and auto-protocoling.

Study Design/setting: Retrospective study conducted from December 2023 to February 2024, including patients with clinical entries accessible on the electronic medical record (EMR).

Publication output of RANZCR radiation oncologists in 2022-23.

Introduction: The purpose of this work was to determine the current publication output of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists radiation oncologists (ROs) to serve as a baseline contributing to future assessment of the effectiveness of the College's Research Action Plan 2024-26.

Methods: An online survey was sent to all ROs in the College's member database in March-April 2024 requesting a list of publications between 2022 and 2023. A PubMed search was performed to cross-check the self-reported publications.

An analytical heat transfer model for transient Raman thermometry analysis.

Transient Raman thermometry improves on its steady-state counterpart by eliminating the error-prone steps of temperature calibration and laser absorption measurement. However, the accompanying complex heat transfer process often requires numerical analysis, such as the finite element method, to decipher the measured data. This step can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and difficult to derive a physical understanding of the heat transfer process involved.

Using Deauville Scoring to Guide Consolidative Radiotherapy in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Background: The most common aggressive lymphoma in adults is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Consolidative radiotherapy (RT) is often administered to DLBCL patients but guidelines remain unclear, which could lead to unnecessary RT. We aimed to evaluate the value of end-of-treatment PET-CT scans, interpreted using the Deauville score (DV), to guide the utilization of consolidative RT, which may help spare low-risk DLBCL patients from unnecessary RT.

Impact of Clostridium difficile Infection Versus Colonization on Postoperative Outcomes After Oncological Colorectal Surgery: An Observational Single-Center Study With Propensity Score Analysis.

Background: There is limited research available concerning the risk anastomotic leakage in the context of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Herein, we aim to elucidate the correlation between CDI, encompassing both preoperative asymptomatic C. difficile carriers (CDC) and postoperative hospital acquired C.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Spine MRI.

Diagnostic imaging, particularly MRI, plays a key role in the evaluation of many spine pathologies. Recent progress in artificial intelligence and its subset, machine learning, has led to many applications within spine MRI, which we sought to examine in this review. A literature search of the major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.

Mastering tracheostomy care: Refresher programme for tracheostomy training for nurses: Comparison of two training methods based on hands-on simulation-based training alone versus additional complementary self-directed e-learning.

Background: Effective clinical education is essential for managing tracheostomy patients safely and efficiently. Simulation-based training has shown greater efficacy than traditional methods in various clinical settings. Our internal training programme, called the Tracheostomy Refresher Program (TRP) was used to enhance nurses' skills in tracheostomy care.

Testosterone Recovery Following Androgen Suppression and Prostate Radiotherapy (TRANSPORT): A Pooled Analysis of Five Randomized Trials from the Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials in Cancer of the Prostate (MARCAP) Consortium.

Background And Objective: Time to testosterone recovery (TR) following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists varies widely. We evaluate TR kinetics and the oncological impact of an effective castration period in patients receiving definitive radiotherapy and ADT for prostate cancer.

Methods: We obtained individual patient data from randomized controlled trials of radiotherapy with ADT and prospectively collected serial testosterone data from the MARCAP Consortium.

Research productivity of RANZCR radiation oncology trainees from 2014 to 2023.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe the research productivity among RANZCR Radiation Oncology (RO) trainees.

Methods: Publicly available data on RO fellows, who were awarded the RANZCR fellowship between July 2014 and June 2023, was extracted from the RANZCR Annual Reports. Fellows who had qualified overseas and did not undertake full RANZCR training were excluded.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: 10-Year Outcomes From Three Prospective Trials.

Purpose: SABR is growingly accepted for the treatment of localized prostate cancer with recent randomized trials showing noninferiority compared with conventional or moderately hypofractionated radiation therapy. The natural history of prostate cancer necessitates extended surveillance for recurrence; however, there are a few prospective studies reporting long-term outcomes.

Methods And Materials: This study included patients with low- and intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer from 3 Canadian clinical trials enrolled from 2006 to 2013.

Oncologic Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning Methods in CT Spine Imaging-A Systematic Review.

In spinal oncology, integrating deep learning with computed tomography (CT) imaging has shown promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in CT imaging for spinal tumors. A PRISMA-guided search identified 33 studies: 12 (36.

Examining bystander intervention for peer depression and sociodemographic correlates among university students in Singapore.

Introduction: The Advancing Research To Eliminate Mental Illness Stigma (ARTEMIS) study evaluated the impact of an intervention developed and implemented in Singapore on attitudes towards depression in university students. We aimed to assess the likelihood of university students intervening when their peers suffer from depression, before and after the ARTEMIS intervention.

Methods: 390 students were recruited from a university in Singapore.

A rare giant atrial septal cardiac blood cyst in an adult: a case report.

Background: Cardiac blood cysts are exceedingly rare cardiac tumours usually found on cardiac valves in infants. We report and discuss a rare unique case wherein a giant atrial septal cardiac blood cyst was found in an adult.

Case Summary: A 59-year-old Chinese lady with history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and transient ischaemic attack presented with atypical chest pain.

Investigating the effects of percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm on the lumen size of the common femoral artery.

Background: Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR) is the definitive therapy of choice for abdominal aortic aneurysms worldwide. However, current literature regarding the anatomic changes in the common femoral artery (CFA) post-PEVAR is sparse and contradictory, and a significant proportion of these studies did not control for the potential confounding effects of ethnicity. Thus, this study aims to investigate the anatomical effects of PEVAR on the CFA using an Asian study cohort.

Gemcitabine, carboplatin, and Epstein-Barr virus-specific autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma: VANCE, an international randomized phase III trial.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (EBV-CTL) is an autologous adoptive T-cell immunotherapy generated from the blood of individuals and manufactured without genetic modification. In a previous phase II trial of locally recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/M NPC) patients, first-line gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) and EBV-CTL combination demonstrated objective antitumor EBV-CTL activity and a favorable safety profile. The present study explored whether this combined first-line chemo-immunotherapy strategy would produce superior clinical efficacy and better quality of life compared with conventional chemotherapy treatment.