Publications by authors named "Peter Clark"

Autoreactive, aberrantly activated lymphocytes that target myelin antigens in the central nervous system (CNS) are primary drivers of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Proliferating cells including activated lymphocytes require deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) for DNA replication. dNTPs can be synthesised via the de novo pathway from precursors such as glucose and amino acids or the deoxyribonucleoside salvage pathway from extracellular deoxyribonucleosides.

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  • This study aimed to enhance understanding of upper tract imaging in patients assessed for hematuria, evaluating imaging rates and effectiveness using a national cohort of insured individuals.
  • A total of 466,710 patients were analyzed between 2010 and 2015, with various imaging modalities revealing low detection rates: ultrasound (1%), CT (1.7%), and other methods (2.7%).
  • The results suggest that while the diagnostic yield of imaging is higher than expected, overall detection remains low, indicating a potential preference for using ultrasound in initial evaluations based on updated guidelines.
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Changes in chondrocyte gene expression can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA), and so recognition of the regulative processes during chondrogenesis can lead to a better understanding of OA. microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in chondrocytes/OA, and we have used a combined experimental, bioinformatic, and systems biology approach to explore the multiple miRNA-mRNA interactions that regulate chondrogenesis. A longitudinal chondrogenesis bioinformatic analysis identified paralogues miR-199a-5p and miR-199b-5p as pro-chondrogenic regulators.

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  • Increasing global mean sea surface temperature (GMSST) during the last deglaciation was linked to a more significant rise in global mean ocean temperature (GMOT), suggesting an efficient heat storage mechanism.
  • Despite winter sea ice covering areas crucial for deepwater formation, warmer intermediate-depth waters contributed to this increased ocean heat storage as a result of mid-latitude warming and changes in ocean circulation.
  • The study emphasizes the impact of surface warming and altered oceanic circulation on long-term ocean heat storage, enhancing our understanding of past climate changes.
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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may decrease patient quality of life and often leads to acute urinary retention and surgical intervention. While effective treatments are available, many BPH patients do not respond or develop resistance to treatment. To understand molecular determinants of clinical symptom persistence after initiating BPH treatment, we investigated gene expression profiles before and after treatments in the prostate transitional zone of 108 participants in the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) Trial.

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Introduction: Previous literature suggests socioeconomic status and racial disparities impact management decisions for patients with small renal masses. We aim to build upon these findings and examine how these modalities impact patient adherence to their management plan.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed our Kidney Tumor Program database (n = 1476) containing patients from 2000 to 2020.

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Adverse experiences (e.g., acute stress) and alcohol misuse can both impair skeletal muscle homeostasis, resulting in reduced protein synthesis and greater protein breakdown.

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  • The study investigates the impact of non-narcotic analgesics on pain management in patients undergoing cystectomy as part of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), focusing on their relationship with morphine use during recovery.
  • It found that compliance with non-narcotic medications like acetaminophen, gabapentin, and ketorolac is low, but ketorolac use significantly reduces narcotic consumption and pain scores on the first two postoperative days.
  • Reasons for non-compliance include concerns about renal function, bleeding, and potential neurologic side effects associated with these medications.
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Introduction: Men with advanced germ cell tumors (GCT) treated with chemotherapy are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Predictors of VTE may identify patients who would benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation.

Patients And Methods: Men with advanced GCT (Stage IS, II, III) treated with chemotherapy were identified at 2 centers.

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CAR T-cell therapy has transformed relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) management and outcomes, but following CAR T infusion, interventions are often needed. In a UK multicentre study, we retrospectively evaluated tisagenlecleucel outcomes in all eligible patients, analysing overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) with standard and stringent definitions, the latter including measurable residual disease (MRD) emergence and further anti-leukaemic therapy. Both intention-to-treat and infused cohorts were considered.

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Computational prediction of molecule-protein interactions has been key for developing new molecules to interact with a target protein for therapeutics development. Previous work includes two independent streams of approaches: (1) predicting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between naturally occurring proteins and (2) predicting binding affinities between proteins and small-molecule ligands [also known as drug-target interaction (DTI)]. Studying the two problems in isolation has limited the ability of these computational models to generalize across the PPI and DTI tasks, both of which ultimately involve noncovalent interactions with a protein target.

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Much of our understanding of Cenozoic climate is based on the record of δO measured in benthic foraminifera. However, this measurement reflects a combined signal of global temperature and sea level, thus preventing a clear understanding of the interactions and feedbacks of the climate system in causing global temperature change. Our new reconstruction of temperature change over the past 4.

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  • Patient education is crucial for treatment, and augmented reality (AR) may improve understanding and satisfaction compared to standard educational methods.
  • In a study with 100 patients diagnosed with kidney issues, participants were randomly assigned to receive education via AR or traditional methods, and their understanding and satisfaction were measured before and after consultations.
  • Results showed no significant difference in understanding between the two groups, but the AR group reported higher satisfaction levels regarding the educational effectiveness of the visuals used during their consultations.
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Regular exercise has numerous health benefits, but the human population displays significant variability in exercise participation. Rodent models, such as voluntary wheel running (VWR) in rats, can provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of exercise behavior and its regulation. In this study, we focused on the role of estrogen on VWR in female rats.

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The underlying tenet of evidence-based decision-making in health services is assessing all the relevant evidence. Using the traditional qualitative and quantitative approaches to identifying evidence may not capture the full spectrum of factors that need to be addressed. A selective mixed-method approach may provide a comprehensive assessment of the relevant knowledge.

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  • A recent study analyzed genetic data from over 156,000 prostate cancer cases and 788,000 controls from diverse populations, significantly increasing the representation of non-European participants.
  • Researchers identified 187 new genetic risk variants for prostate cancer, bringing the total to 451, enhancing understanding of genetic factors across different ancestries.
  • The developed genetic risk score (GRS) showed varying risk levels for prostate cancer among different ancestry groups, highlighting its potential for better risk assessment, especially in men of African descent.
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Ageing is a complex and multifactorial process. For two decades, the Human Ageing Genomic Resources (HAGR) have aided researchers in the study of various aspects of ageing and its manipulation. Here, we present the key features and recent enhancements of these resources, focusing on its six main databases.

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  • The social complexity hypothesis suggests that animal species with more intricate social structures develop more sophisticated communication methods.
  • A study on three macaque species (crested, Barbary, and rhesus) found that crested macaques, known for their social tolerance, exhibited more diverse facial expressions compared to the less tolerant Barbary and rhesus macaques.
  • Results showed that while rhesus macaques used facial expressions more specifically based on context, crested macaques displayed greater unpredictability in their facial behaviors, supporting the idea that social complexity influences communication complexity.
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Aims: To assess the feasibility of implementing data standards in Australian primary care dietetics practices.

Methods: A mixed-methods pragmatic study of dietitians working in primary care. Using a four-point Likert scale, participants were surveyed on their baseline use of the 45 business and 33 clinical evidenced-based data standards.

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Objectives: Opioid use, misuse, and diversion is of paramount concern in the United States. Radical cystectomy is typically managed with some component of opioid pain control. We evaluated persistent opioid and benzodiazepine use after radical cystectomy and assessed the impact of their preoperative use on this outcome.

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Introduction: The American Cancer Society estimates 79,000 individuals will be diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2022, most of which are initially found as small renal masses (SRMs). Proper management of SRM patients includes careful evaluation of risk factors such as medical comorbidities and renal function. To investigate the importance of these risk factors, we examined their effect on crossover to delayed intervention (DI) and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing active surveillance (AS) for SRMs.

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Objectives: Novel regimens targeting immune checkpoints and the cMET or HER2 pathways are under investigation in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) though co-expression of these molecular targets has not been defined. We sought to characterize the protein co-expression rates of PD-L1, cMET and HER2 in primary and metastatic mUC lesions and agreement rates in paired biopsies.

Materials And Methods: We assessed PD-L1, cMET and HER2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in archival mUC samples identified from an institutional database (n = 143).

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Introduction: Sedentary lifestyles have reached epidemic proportions world-wide. A growing body of literature suggests that exposures to adverse experiences (e.g.

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