Involvement of RBP-J interacting and tubulin-associated protein in the distribution of protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 in mitotic spindles.

The protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) is a key regulator of microtubule crosslinking and bundling, which is crucial for spindle formation and cytokinesis. RITA, the BP-J nteracting and ubulin-ssociated protein, is a microtubule associated protein. We have reported that RITA localizes to mitotic spindles modulating microtubule dynamics and stability as well as to spindle poles affecting the activity of Aurora A.

A Novel Preoperative Scoring System to Accurately Predict Cord-Level Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Data Loss During Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Machine-Learning Approach.

Background: An accurate knowledge of a patient's risk of cord-level intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) data loss is important for an informed decision-making process prior to deformity correction, but no prediction tool currently exists.

Methods: A total of 1,106 patients with spinal deformity and 205 perioperative variables were included. A stepwise machine-learning (ML) approach using random forest (RF) analysis and multivariable logistic regression was performed.

A non-randomised open-label exploratory 'window of opportunity' study of TG02 treatment in patients with locally advanced primary and recurrent mutant colorectal cancer.

Background: TG02 is a peptide-based cancer vaccine eliciting immune responses to oncogenic codon 12/13 mutations. This phase 1 clinical trial (NCT02933944) assessed the safety and immunological efficacy of TG02 adjuvanted by GM-CSF in patients with -mutant colorectal cancer.

Methods: In the interval between completing CRT and pelvic exenteration, patients with resectable mutation-positive, locally advanced primary or current colorectal cancer, received 5-6 doses of TG02/GM-CSF.

Nanocarrier imaging at single-cell resolution across entire mouse bodies with deep learning.

Efficient and accurate nanocarrier development for targeted drug delivery is hindered by a lack of methods to analyze its cell-level biodistribution across whole organisms. Here we present Single Cell Precision Nanocarrier Identification (SCP-Nano), an integrated experimental and deep learning pipeline to comprehensively quantify the targeting of nanocarriers throughout the whole mouse body at single-cell resolution. SCP-Nano reveals the tissue distribution patterns of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) after different injection routes at doses as low as 0.

Confinement-Induced Self-Assembly of Protein Nanofibrils Probed by Microfocus X-ray Scattering.

We here explore confinement-induced assembly of whey protein nanofibrils (PNFs) into microscale fibers using microfocused synchrotron X-ray scattering. Solvent evaporation aligns the PNFs into anisotropic fibers, and the process is followed in situ by scattering experiments within a droplet of PNF dispersion. We find an optimal temperature at which the order parameter of the protein fiber is maximized, suggesting that the degree of order results from a balance between the time scales of the forced alignment and the rotational diffusion of the fibrils.

Tumour plasticity and tumour microenvironment interactions as potential immunologic targets for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a malignant cancer with a high mortality and limited treatment options. Systemic chemotherapy remains the only approach for improving survival in patients with unresectable locally advanced and/or metastatic disease which comprises most patients. Targeted therapies have so far been disappointing with limited applicability and improvement in overall survival.

A Method for Imaging the Ischemic Penumbra with MRI using IVIM.

Background And Purpose: In acute ischemic stroke, the amount of "local" CBF distal to the occlusion, i.e. all blood flow within a region whether supplied antegrade or delayed and dispersed through the collateral network, may contain valuable information regarding infarct growth rate and treatment response.

Assessment of the European Hernia Society Classification of Ventral Hernias and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Ventral hernias are a common but heterogeneous disease. Communication among key stakeholders (eg, patients, clinicians, administrators, payers, and researchers) can be augmented by a widely utilized classification system. The European Hernia Society (EHS) developed an expert-opinion-based hernia classification system organized by hernia type (primary versus incisional) and size.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer screening in two university-affiliated health care systems.

Objectives: In two large university affiliated healthcare systems, we examined trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic to compare the trends in non-invasive screening tests and colonoscopy.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective time-trend analysis, we obtained the numbers of colonoscopies and non-invasive tests performed monthly during the pandemic and the year prior to it. We obtained colonoscopy data from five endoscopy units with the indication determined by dual independent review.

Orthogonal validation of PROTAC mediated degradation of the integral membrane proteins EGFR and c-MET.

Dysregulation of integral membrane proteins (IMPs) has been linked to a myriad of diseases, making these proteins an attractive target in drug research. Whilst PROTAC technology has had a significant impact in scientific research, its application to IMPs is still limited. Limitations of the traditional approach of immunoblotting in PROTAC research include the low throughput compared to other methods, as well as a lack of spatial information for the target.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to diagnostic colonoscopy after a positive non-invasive screening test for colorectal cancer in two Indiana healthcare systems.

Objective: To describe trends in the use of non-invasive tests (NIST) and the interval between a positive NIST and diagnostic colonoscopy.

Methods: Using a retrospective time-trend design, we examined medical records of patients within two large Indiana integrated healthcare systems who had a positive NIST between January 2019 and June 2021 and quantified the proportion of patients who had not completed colonoscopy within 60, 90, and 180 days to determine the interval between NIST result and diagnostic colonoscopy in days.

Results: Of 1379 patients with positive NISTs, 930 (68 %) underwent diagnostic colonoscopy during the 30-month study timeframe.

ChatGPT vs. surgeons on pancreatic cancer queries: accuracy & empathy evaluated by patients and experts.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential support in patient-clinician interactions, but its impact on such communication remains unexplored.

Methods: In this study, ChatGPT was compared with two pancreatic surgeons in responding to ten pancreatic cancer surgery-related questions, co-designed with the Patient Advisory Board of the Surgical Society's Study Center. A blind evaluation of these responses, considering content congruency and clarity for non-specialists, was conducted by patients and surgeons.

Printed Thin Magnetic Films via Ternary Hybrid Diblock Copolymer Films Containing Magnetic Iron Oxide and Nickel Nanoparticles.

Ternary hybrid thin films composed of a diblock copolymer templating two types of nanoparticles (NPs) expand the functionality of binary systems, which renders them interesting for magnetic sensing or magnetic data storage applications. Herein, one-pot slot-die printed hybrid polystyrene--poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS--PMMA) thin films are prepared with iron oxide (magnetite, FeO, = 20 nm) and nickel NPs (Ni, = 46 nm) in one step by the advanced slot-die coating technique, which facilitates upscaling of fabrication. The evolution of the hybrid film morphology is probed with in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and compared to that of a PS--PMMA thin film without NPs.

[Preoperative risk prediction models for noncardiac surgery patients : Interpret and use risk scores correctly].

Risk prediction models are an established component of the preoperative evaluation. In its guidelines the European Society for Cardiology proposes several risk scores but the benefit of these is mostly unclear for clinicians. This article describes the individual steps in the preparation of a valid prediction model with a focus on the parameters, discrimination, calibration and external validation.

Allylation and Thermosetting of Acetosolv Wheat Straw Lignin.

The acetosolv extraction, allylation and subsequent cross-linking of wheat straw lignin to thermoset biomaterials is herein described. The extraction temperature proved to be of great importance for the quality of the resulting lignin, with moderate temperature being key for preservation of β-O-4' linkages. The allylation of the acetosolv lignin was carried out using three different synthetic strategies, resulting in selective installation of either benzylic or phenolic allyl ethers, or unselective allylation of various hydroxyl groups via etherification and carboxyallylation.

HPV and p53 status as precision determinants of head and neck cancer response to DNA-PKcs inhibition in combination with irradiation.

Major risk factors of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are tobacco use and human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV E6 oncoprotein leads to p53 degradation, whereas HPV-negative cancers are frequently associated with TP53 mutations. Peposertib is a potent and selective, orally administered small-molecule inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent kinase (DNA-PKcs), a key regulator of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).

Alloplastic Vascular Grafts for Venous Interposition in Pancreatic Surgery: Readily Available and Reliable.

Objective: To investigate patency and clinical outcomes of alloplastic and other venous interposition graft materials in pancreatic surgery.

Background: Vascular pancreatic surgery is increasingly performed for locally advanced pancreatic neoplasms. Different than other centers, we prefer to use alloplastic vascular graft materials for superior mesenteric vein and portal vein interposition in pancreatic surgery.

Experiences across a genetic screening and testing programme pathway: a qualitative study of mammogram patient perspectives.

Background: Population-based genetic screening and testing programmes have substantial potential to improve cancer-related outcomes through early detection and cancer prevention. Yet, genetic testing for cancer risk remains largely underused. This study aimed to describe barriers and facilitators to patient engagement at each stage of a California-based genetic screening programme, from completing the electronic screener to receiving the test and to identify potential improvements that could support precision medicine-based approaches to patient care.