Clinical Spectrum and Prognosis of Atypical Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Caused by Monoallelic Pathogenic Variants of IFT140.

Rationale & Objective: Monoallelic predicted Loss-of-Function (pLoF) variants in IFT140 have recently been associated with an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)-like phenotype. This study sought to enhance the characterization of this phenotype.

Study Design: Case series.

Efficacy of a fixed low dose of radioactive iodine in the treatment of Graves' disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: Graves' disease represents 60%-90% of all causes of thyrotoxicosis in different regions of the world. Thyrotoxicosis contributes approximately 66% to thyroid disorders in South Africa and of those Graves' disease contributes about 34%. In most Sub-Saharan African countries, Graves' disease is managed mainly with medical treatment, due to a lack of or poor access to other means of treatment.

Longitudinal mitochondrial bioenergetic signatures of blood monocytes and lymphocytes improve during treatment of drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis patients Monocyte/lymphocyte bioenergetic signatures post-TB treatment.

The impact of human pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) on the bioenergetic metabolism of circulating immune cells remains elusive, as does the resolution of these effects with TB treatment. In this study, the rates of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis in circulating lymphocytes and monocytes of patients with drug-susceptible TB at diagnosis, 2 months, and 6 months during treatment, and 12 months after diagnosis were investigated using extracellular flux analysis. At diagnosis, the bioenergetic parameters of both blood lymphocytes and monocytes of TB patients were severely impaired in comparison to non-TB and non-HIV-infected controls.

Chemokine Receptor-4 Targeted PET/CT Imaging with Ga-Pentixafor in Head and Neck Cancer-A Comparison with F-FDG and CXCR4 Immunohistochemistry.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is common, and its incidence is increasing, particularly in HIV-infected individuals who present with more aggressive disease. Despite aggressive treatment, the prognosis remains poor because of resistance to chemoradiation therapy. So far, studies report very low [Ga]Ga-Pentixafor avidity in HNSCC.

A Comparison of Ga-PSMA PET/CT-Based Split Renal Function with Tc-MAG3 Renography in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Carcinoma Treated with Lu-PSMA.

Background: Physiological PSMA expression in the cells of the proximal renal tubules and consecutive radiopharmaceutical binding and retention could potentially lead to radioligand-therapy-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer undergo Tc-Mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renal scintigraphy to assess kidney function and to exclude renal obstruction as part of their workup for PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT). Tc-MAG-3 renal scintigraphy often requires an additional visit to the nuclear medicine department and patients spend 30-90 min in the department, which is inconvenient and takes up camera time.

Vaginal fatty acid response mechanisms reveal a novel strategy for bacterial vaginosis treatment.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common syndrome characterized by -deficient vaginal microbiota, is associated with adverse health outcomes. BV often recurs after standard antibiotic therapy in part because antibiotics promote microbiota dominance by instead of , which has more beneficial health associations. Strategies to promote and inhibit are thus needed.

'With this study, we have hope that something is coming': community members' perceptions of HIV cure-related research in Durban, South Africa - a qualitative focus group study.

Background: Developing a cure for HIV remains a global scientific priority. In 2022, the Females Rising through Education, Support and Health (FRESH) cohort launched an HIV cure-related trial involving an analytical treatment interruption (ATI) in Durban, South Africa.

Objectives: To explore community perspectives about HIV cure-related research.

Radiation therapy attenuates lymphatic vessel repair by reducing VEGFR-3 signalling.

Surgery and radiotherapy are key cancer treatments and the leading causes of damage to the lymphatics, a vascular network critical to fluid homeostasis and immunity. The clinical manifestation of this damage constitutes a devastating side-effect of cancer treatment, known as lymphoedema. Lymphoedema is a chronic condition evolving from the accumulation of interstitial fluid due to impaired drainage via the lymphatics and is recognised to contribute significant morbidity to patients who survive their cancer.

The Role of PET/CT in Breast Cancer.

Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%), followed by lung cancer (11.

Spectrum and surgical outcomes of gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

Background: Surgery and imatinib are the mainstays of the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). This study aimed to analyse the outcomes in the management of GIST utilising surgery and imatinib.

Methods: Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed in relation to imatinib therapy, location of tumour, resection margins, type and extent of surgery.

Strategies for Recruiting Migrants to Participate in a Sexual Health Survey: Methods, Results, and Lessons.

In this article, we describe the approaches taken to recruit adult migrants living in Australia for a sexual health and blood-borne virus survey (paper and online) and present data detailing the outcomes of these approaches. The purpose was to offer guidance to redress the under-representation of migrants in public health research. Methods of recruitment included directly contacting people in individual/organizational networks, social media posts/advertising, promotion on websites, and face-to-face recruitment at public events/venues.

Assessment of the impact of reforestation on soil, riparian sediment and river water quality based on polyaromatic hydrocarbon pollutants.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the eThekwini Municipality reforestation project on the quality of the soil within the reforestation sites, and water from the nearby rivers (White and Black Mhlasini Rivers) situated at the reforested Buffelsdraai area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This was the first evaluation of the effect of reforestation on the reduction of selected organic pollutants to be conducted in this area. The sixteen polyaromatic hydrocarbons analysed are on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) list of priority pollutants.

Mating success of timed pregnancies in Sprague Dawley rats: Considerations for execution.

This study compares three different mating techniques in Sprague-Dawley rats, using the pregnancy rate as the main indicator of success. It provides recommendations for timed-pregnancy experiments to achieve an appropriate sample size for the study of human pregnancy disorders. The implementation of a preconditioning phase, determination of the estrous cycle, the use of two mating strategies (Lee-Boot and Whitten effect), female: male mating ratios, and cohabitation duration should be considered as they improve the mating success rate.

Physiological characterization of an arginine vasopressin rat model of preeclampsia.

Rodent models have contributed greatly to our understanding of preeclampsia (PE) progression in humans, however to-date no model has been able to effectively replicate the clinical presentation of the disease. This study aimed to provide a thorough physiological characterization of the arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced rat model of PE to determine its applicability in studying the pathophysiology of PE. Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were separated into four groups (n = 6 per group) viz.

Effectiveness of Three-Dimensional Multiple-Object Tracking in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Trial.

Background: Computerized cognitive training remains an attractive supplemental modality to enhance rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of the present study was to assess the usability of three-dimensional multiple-object tracking (3D-MOT) in patients with MS.

Methods: In this pilot study, 16 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and nine age-matched controls participated in four 30-minute training sessions of 3D-MOT.

Three-Dimensional Printability of an ECM-Based Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) Biomaterial for Potential Neuroregeneration.

The current study introduces two novel, smart polymer three-dimensional (3D)-printable interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel biomaterials with favorable chemical, mechanical, and morphological properties for potential applications in traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as potentially assisting in the restoration of neurological function through closure of the wound deficit and neural tissue regeneration. Additionally, removal of injury matter to allow for the appropriate scaffold grafting may assist in providing a TBI treatment. Furthermore, due to the 3D printability of the IPN biomaterials, complex structures can be designed and fabricated to mimic the native shape and structure of the injury sight, which can potentially assist with neural tissue regeneration after TBI.

Estimating epidemiological and economic burden and community derived disability weights for snake bite in Kerala: a study protocol.

In India, lack of data and underreporting of cases and deaths due to snakebite makes it difficult to estimate its socio-economic burden. Previous studies measuring economic burden of snakebite in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) using different approaches have been conducted, but none  in India. The proposed study aims to provide evidence on disability weights, epidemiological and economic burden due to snakebites in Kerala state, India.

Liver Transplantation Society of India Guidelines for the Management of Acute Liver Injury Secondary to Yellow Phosphorus-Containing Rodenticide Poisoning Using the Modified Delphi Technique of Consensus Development.

Background: Acute liver failure caused by the ingestion of yellow phosphorus-containing rodenticide has been increasing in incidence over the last decade and is a common indication for emergency liver transplantation in Southern and Western India and other countries. Clear guidelines for its management are necessary, given its unpredictable course, potential for rapid deterioration and variation in clinical practice.

Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used for developing consensus guidelines under the aegis of the Liver Transplantation Society of India.

Awareness of the Standard of Care for Snakebite Management Among Physicians in Kerala: A Cross-sectional Study.

Snakebite remains a largely neglected yet important cause of morbidity as well as mortality in Kerala. This study aimed to assess the knowledge about the standard of care for snakebite management among physicians in Kerala. This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire-based survey among 110 physicians from Kerala.

Comparing 99mTc-PSMA to 99mTc-MDP in Prostate Cancer Staging of the Skeletal System.

Purpose: This prospective study was aimed at assessing the ability of 99mTc-PSMA scan to detect bone metastases in prostate cancer (PCa) against 99mTc-MDP scan as a standard and assess the correlation of these modalities in PCa staging of bone involvement.

Patients And Methods: Forty-one patients (41) with histologically confirmed PCa were scanned using both methods. Planar imaging was performed with additional regional SPECT/CT 3 to 4 hours posttracer injection.

Synthesis and therapeutic delivery approaches for praziquantel: a patent review (2010-present).

Introduction: : Among all the anti-schistosomal drugs, praziquantel has been the most widely used. However, some major challenges have been faced using the drug in the treatment of schistosome infections.

Areas Covered: : Several approaches used in the synthesis of praziquantel aimed at reducing the time and cost of production, the toxicity and experimental harsh conditions are discussed.