Influence of aqueous solutions of 2-(tetrafluoro(trifluoromethyl)-λ-sulfanyl-ethan-1-ol (CFSF-ethanol) on the stabilization of the secondary structure of melittin: comparison with aqueous trifluoroethanol using molecular dynamics simulations and circular dichroism experiments.

The influence of aqueous solutions of 2-(tetrafluoro(trifluoromethyl)-λ-sulfanyl-ethan-1-ol (CFSF-ethanol) and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) on the secondary structure of melittin was studied using circular dichroism (CD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In water, melittin transitions into a random coil. However, upon addition of even as little as 1% by volume of CFSF-ethanol, the secondary structure of melittin stabilizes as a helix.

Unfractionated heparin monitoring by anti-factor Xa versus activated partial thromboplastin time strategies during venoarterial extracorporeal life support.

Introduction: No clear guidelines exist for unfractionated heparin (UFH) monitoring in adult patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS) for refractory cardiogenic shock. In this study, we sought to compare outcomes between anti-factor Xa (FXa) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) strategies for UFH monitoring during VA-ECLS.

Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective review of VA-ECLS patients who received UFH in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit between July 2019 and November 2023.

Metformin use and preeclampsia risk in women with diabetes: a two-country cohort analysis.

Background: Metformin is a hypoglycaemic medication that has been proposed to treat or prevent preeclampsia. Combining national birth data from Scotland and Sweden, we investigated whether metformin used during pregnancy was associated with an altered risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

Methods: We utilised data from two population-based cohorts: Scotland (2012-2018) and Sweden (2007-2019).

Comparison of the immunogenicity of mRNA-encoded and protein HIV-1 Env-ferritin nanoparticle designs.

Nucleoside-modified mRNA technology has revolutionized vaccine development with the success of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. We used modified mRNA technology for the design of envelopes (Env) to induce HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). However, unlike SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that are readily made, HIV-1 bnAb induction is disfavored by the immune system because of the rarity of bnAb B cell precursors and the cross-reactivity of bnAbs targeting certain Env epitopes with host molecules, thus requiring optimized immunogen design.

Secondary Analysis of Human Bulk RNA-Seq Dataset Suggests Potential Mechanisms for Letrozole Resistance in Estrogen-Positive (ER+) Breast Cancer.

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is common among postmenopausal women and is frequently treated with Letrozole, which inhibits aromatase from synthesizing estrogen from androgens. Decreased estrogen slows the growth of tumors and can be an effective treatment. The increase in Letrozole resistance poses a unique problem for patients.

A single harmonised pharmacy process to improve clinical trial set-up times.

The UK has fallen from fourth to 10th place in the global ranking for clinical trial activities in the past 6 years. Due to the limited capacity of the clinical trial pharmacy workforce and delays in providing pharmacy approvals, pharmacy has been identified as one of the constraining services that delays the set-up and delivery of clinical trials. To tackle this problem, we developed a single pharmacy review process for multicentre trials across Greater Manchester (GM) and tested its feasibility and implementation in our region.

The first demonstration of entirely roll-to-roll fabricated perovskite solar cell modules under ambient room conditions.

The rapid development of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells has resulted in laboratory-scale devices having power conversion efficiencies that are competitive with commercialised technologies. However, hybrid perovskite solar cells are yet to make an impact beyond the research community, with translation to large-area devices fabricated by industry-relevant manufacturing methods remaining a critical challenge. Here we report the first demonstration of hybrid perovskite solar cell modules, comprising serially-interconnected cells, produced entirely using industrial roll-to-roll printing tools under ambient room conditions.

Significance of isolated postoperative atrial fibrillation in thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Although postoperative atrial fibrillation has been shown to be associated with worse survival after thoracic aortic surgery, its effect on outcomes independently from other postoperative complications is not well understood.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients who underwent open thoracic aortic aneurysm repair between March 2005 and March 2021. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was defined as new-onset atrial fibrillation that developed during the index hospital stay.

Broadly neutralizing antibody induction by non-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Spike mRNA vaccination in nonhuman primates.

Immunization with mRNA or viral vectors encoding spike with diproline substitutions (S-2P) has provided protective immunity against severe COVID-19 disease. How immunization with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike elicits neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against difficult-to-neutralize variants of concern (VOCs) remains an area of great interest. Here, we compare immunization of macaques with mRNA vaccines expressing ancestral spike either including or lacking diproline substitutions, and show the diproline substitutions were not required for protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge or induction of broadly neutralizing B cell lineages.

Vaccine induction of CD4-mimicking HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in macaques.

The CD4-binding site (CD4bs) is a conserved epitope on HIV-1 envelope (Env) that can be targeted by protective broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). HIV-1 vaccines have not elicited CD4bs bnAbs for many reasons, including the occlusion of CD4bs by glycans, expansion of appropriate naive B cells with immunogens, and selection of functional antibody mutations. Here, we demonstrate that immunization of macaques with a CD4bs-targeting immunogen elicits neutralizing bnAb precursors with structural and genetic features of CD4-mimicking bnAbs.

Patient Perceptions and Clinical Assessments of Cardiometabolic Disease After Subacute Spinal Cord Injury.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of health care team communication regarding cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors with patients with subacute spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Multi-site prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting: Five National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Model SCI Rehabilitation Centers.

Addressing medical resident mistreatment: A resident-centred approach.

Introduction: Mistreatment negatively impacts the wellbeing of medical learners and is related to worse patient outcomes and team functioning. Resident perspectives on improving mistreatment reporting structures and investigations have not been explored. We aimed to understand residents' views on safe reporting structures, investigations, and resolution processes.

Effectiveness of laparoscopic removal of isolated superficial peritoneal endometriosis for the management of chronic pelvic pain in women (ESPriT2): protocol for a multi-centre randomised controlled trial.

Background: Endometriosis affects 190 million women and those assigned female at birth worldwide. For some, it is associated with debilitating chronic pelvic pain. Diagnosis of endometriosis is often achieved through diagnostic laparoscopy.

Patient choice: the shape of consent post-Montgomery.

The law relating to consent and the process dentists need to go through to gain valid and informed consent to treat patients changed significantly following the landmark ruling of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board. In this paper, we revisit the history of patient consent, give an update on the current legal situation in the UK, and produce a unique 'consent workflow' to aid in the process of gaining valid and informed consent to treat. The aim is to clarify the legal standing and provide a framework that dentists and other healthcare professionals can adapt to their current clinical practice while increasing the confidence of those involved in the consent process; both professionals and patients.

Enhancing social connections through an acting and improvisation course for older Americans in low-income housing.

Background: Older adults living in subsidized housing may be at increased risk of social isolation. Applied theater, a participatory art program, can facilitate social connections among older adults.

Methods: A professionally-facilitated 12-week acting and improvisation course was held in two federally subsidized buildings in an urban setting.