Sperm Morphology of Post-wash Sample and Its Association with Clinical Pregnancy among the Couples Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination: A Cohort Study.

Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an effective and inexpensive method of managing patients with unexplained and male factor infertility. It is attempted before proceeding to more invasive assisted reproductive techniques such as fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Numerous semen parameters have been assessed to indicate successful outcomes with IUI.

The Experience of Undocumented Individuals Denied Stem Cell Transplant for Hematologic Malignancies.

Background: Undocumented individuals with hematologic malignancies in the United States face barriers to receiving often-curative stem cell transplant (SCT), instead receiving inferior treatment with higher mortality. Federal and state policies' impact on undocumented individuals' lived experiences goes unnoticed.

Objective: To understand the experiences of this rare population of undocumented individuals with hematologic malignancies who cannot receive medically indicated SCT.

The Impact of Tumor Stage and Histopathology on Survival Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer Patients over the Past Decade.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, continuing to be a significant public health concern. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of staging and histopathology of EC on associated mortality. The study also aims to further investigate clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes in patients diagnosed with EC between 2010 and 2017.

An Investigation of Nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) Resistance in SARS-CoV-2 M.

The high throughput YESS 2.0 platform was used to screen a large library of SARS-CoV-2 M variants in the presence of nirmatrelvir. Of the 100 individual most prevalent mutations identified in the screen and reported here, the most common were E166V, L27V, N142S, A173V, and Y154N, along with their various combinations.

Nimbolide attenuates hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating miRNAs 21, 145 and 221 and their target gene expression.

Background And Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are becoming progressively emerging in cancer research from an etiologic and curative point of view. Several miRNAs act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, which are dysregulated in numerous cancers. Our previous studies have established that nimbolide (a bioactive terpenoid from neem) attenuated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through various mechanisms in mice.

Survival Outcomes of U.S. Patients with CMML: A Two-Decade Analysis from the SEER Database.

Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) is a rare and aggressive form of leukemia with characteristics of both myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). This study aims to explore the clinical features, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors in CMML patients over the past 20 years using a large sample. The study data from 4124 patients diagnosed with CMML between 2000 and 2017 were sourced from the SEER database.

Spatiotemporal Clusters of ERK Activity Coordinate Cytokine-induced Inflammatory Responses in Human Airway Epithelial Cells.

Spatially coordinated ERK signaling events ("SPREADs") transmit radially from a central point to adjacent cells via secreted ligands for EGFR and other receptors. SPREADs maintain homeostasis in non-pulmonary epithelia, but it is unknown whether they play a role in the airway epithelium or are dysregulated in inflammatory disease. To address these questions, we measured SPREAD activity with live-cell ERK biosensors in human bronchial epithelial cell lines (HBE1 and 16HBE) and primary human bronchial epithelial (pHBE) cells, in both submerged and biphasic Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) culture conditions (i.

Eco-Friendly Synthesis of ZnO for Efficient Photodegradation of Pharmaceutical Drug Removal by Photocatalysis.

In the present work, a comparative study on eco-friendly synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) sample 1 and sample 2 with 3.17 and 4.17 M NaOH, respectively, is reported.

Adolescent Blood Pressure and Early Age Stroke.

Background: Underdiagnosis of relevant risk factors has contributed to the increasing stroke incidence in young adults. Blood pressure cut-off values for adolescents are neither sex specific nor based on cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: This nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study included all Israeli adolescents 16-19 years of age who were medically evaluated before compulsory military service from 1985 to 2013, including routine blood pressure measurements.

Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Compared to Warfarin in Patients with Cirrhosis and Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis.

Objective: The incidence of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is reported to be <25 times lower than that of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli, which occur in 70 to 270/100,000 cases in the general population. Current guidelines recommend initial treatment with therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin followed by a transition to a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) in patients with cirrhosis who develop SVT without severe liver dysfunction. This, however, is based on observational data.

Competition between homologous chromosomal DNA and exogenous donor DNA to repair CRISPR/Cas9-induced double-strand breaks in Aspergillus niger.

Background: Aspergillus niger is well-known for its high protein secretion capacity and therefore an important cell factory for homologous and heterologous protein production. The use of a strong promoter and multiple gene copies are commonly used strategies to increase the gene expression and protein production of the gene of interest (GOI). We recently presented a two-step CRISPR/Cas9-mediated approach in which glucoamylase (glaA) landing sites (GLSs) are introduced at predetermined sites in the genome (step 1), which are subsequently filled with copies of the GOI (step 2) to achieve high expression of the GOI.

A plasma proteomic signature links secretome of senescent monocytes to aging- and obesity-related clinical outcomes in humans.

Cellular senescence increases with age and contributes to age-related declines and pathologies. We identified circulating biomarkers of senescence associated with diverse clinical traits in humans to facilitate future non-invasive assessment of individual senescence burden and efficacy testing of novel senotherapeutics. Using a novel nanoparticle-based proteomic workflow, we profiled the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in monocytes and examined these proteins in plasma samples (N = 1060) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA).

Osimertinib-Induced Myositis in a Patient With Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation.

Osimertinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has emerged as a standard treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. While it is generally well tolerated, milder side effects of diarrhea, cytopenia, and cutaneous rashes are common. Osimertinib-induced myositis and rhabdomyolysis are exceedingly rare, and only a few cases have been documented in the literature to date.

NOSTRIN is an emerging negative regulator of decompensated cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.

Background And Aims: Decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in a cirrhotic liver contributes to high intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) and portal hypertension (PHT). Nostrin is an inhibitory protein of NO synthesising enzyme endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), shown to increase in cirrhosis with PHT, however, the precise molecular mechanism is poorly documented. This study aimed to elucidate the role of Nostrin and associated derangement in hepatic NO generation in cirrhotic liver.

Adipocyte inflammation is the primary driver of hepatic insulin resistance in a human iPSC-based microphysiological system.

Interactions between adipose tissue, liver and immune system are at the center of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. To address the need for an accurate in vitro model, we establish an interconnected microphysiological system (MPS) containing white adipocytes, hepatocytes and proinflammatory macrophages derived from isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells. Using this MPS, we find that increasing the adipocyte-to-hepatocyte ratio moderately affects hepatocyte function, whereas macrophage-induced adipocyte inflammation causes lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and MPS-wide insulin resistance, corresponding to initiation of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Deciphering domain structures of Aspergillus and Streptomyces GH3-β-Glucosidases: a screening system for enzyme engineering and biotechnological applications.

The glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3) β-glucosidases from filamentous fungi are crucial industrial enzymes facilitating the complete degradation of lignocellulose, by converting cello-oligosaccharides and cellobiose into glucose. Understanding the diverse domain organization is essential for elucidating their biological roles and potential biotechnological applications. This research delves into the variability of domain organization within GH3 β-glucosidases.

Dynamic occupancy modelling of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) reveals increasing landscape use in Nepal.

Large mammals with general habitat needs can persist throughout mixed used landscapes, however, human-wildlife conflict frequently leads to their restriction to protected areas. Conservation efforts, especially for reducing conflicts with humans, can enhance tolerance of humans towards species like Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in human-dominated landscapes. Here, we examine how elephant use in the Chure Terai Madhesh Landscape (CTML) covering the entire elephant range of Nepal changed between 2012 and 2020 in relationship to protection status and environmental conditions.

The cascade of care for commercially-insured persons with opioid use disorder and comorbid HIV and HCV infections.

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) significantly impacts individual and public health and exacerbated further by concurrent infectious diseases. A syndemic approach is needed to address the intertwined OUD, HIV, and HCV epidemics, including the expanded use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Methods: To identify MOUD scale-up opportunities, we conducted a retrospective cohort study, representing commercially insured persons, and created the OUD care continuum, including HIV and HCV influences in adults (18-64 years) newly diagnosed with OUD in 2019 using Merative MarketSan data.

Validation of a semi-quantitative scoring system and workflow for analysis of fluorescence quantification in companion animals.

Significance: Many commercially available near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging systems lack algorithms for real-time quantifiable fluorescence data. Creation of a workflow for clinical assessment and analysis may provide clinical researchers with a method for intraoperative fluorescence quantification to improve objective outcome measures.

Aim: Scoring systems and verified image analysis are employed to determine the amount and intensity of fluorescence within surgical specimens both intra and postoperatively.

Ectopic cervical thymus: Recognising the characteristic 'embroidery yarn' appearance on ultrasound.

Introduction: The thymus normally forms in the neck from the third pharyngeal pouch and descends to its normal position in the mediastinum. Arrest of descent or sequestration of thymic tissue can occur at any point along its path leading to an ectopic thymus which can present as a neck mass, usually in the paediatric age group.

Purpose And Case Report: Ultrasound is generally performed in the presence of a neck mass in children.

Influenza A defective viral genomes and non-infectious particles are increased by host PI3K inhibition via anti-cancer drug alpelisib.

RNA viruses produce abundant defective viral genomes during replication, setting the stage for interactions between viral genomes that alter the course of pathogenesis. Harnessing these interactions to develop antivirals has become a recent goal of intense research focus. Despite decades of research, the mechanisms that regulate the production and interactions of Influenza A defective viral genomes are still unclear.

Scrutinizing different predictive modeling validation methodologies and data-partitioning strategies: new insights using groundwater modeling case study.

Groundwater salinity is a critical factor affecting water quality and ecosystem health, with implications for various sectors including agriculture, industry, and public health. Hence, the reliability and accuracy of groundwater salinity predictive models are paramount for effective decision-making in managing groundwater resources. This pioneering study presents the validation of a predictive model aimed at forecasting groundwater salinity levels using three different validation methods and various data partitioning strategies.

Polyester degradation by soil bacteria: identification of conserved BHETase enzymes in Streptomyces.

The rising use of plastic results in an appalling amount of waste which is scattered into the environment. One of these plastics is PET which is mainly used for bottles. We have identified and characterized an esterase from Streptomyces, annotated as LipA, which can efficiently degrade the PET-derived oligomer BHET.

Enhanced surface colonisation and competition during bacterial adaptation to a fungus.

Bacterial-fungal interactions influence microbial community performance of most ecosystems and elicit specific microbial behaviours, including stimulating specialised metabolite production. Here, we use a co-culture experimental evolution approach to investigate bacterial adaptation to the presence of a fungus, using a simple model of bacterial-fungal interactions encompassing the bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the fungus Aspergillus niger. We find in one evolving population that B.