Circulating Tumor DNA as a Marker of Recurrence Risk in Stage III Colorectal Cancer: The α-CORRECT Study.

Background And Objectives: Identification of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at high risk of recurrence could be of substantial clinical use. We evaluated the association of ctDNA status, using a tumor-informed assay, with recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: Stage III CRC patients were enrolled between 2016 and 2020.

Comparative analysis of deep learning and radiomic signatures for overall survival prediction in recurrent high-grade glioma treated with immunotherapy.

Background: Radiomic analysis of quantitative features extracted from segmented medical images can be used for predictive modeling of prognosis in brain tumor patients. Manual segmentation of the tumor components is time-consuming and poses significant reproducibility issues. We compare the prediction of overall survival (OS) in recurrent high-grade glioma(HGG) patients undergoing immunotherapy, using deep learning (DL) classification networks along with radiomic signatures derived from manual and convolutional neural networks (CNN) automated segmentation.

Energetic costs of social dominance in wild male baboons.

In vertebrates, glucocorticoids can be upregulated in response to both psychosocial and energetic stressors, making it difficult to identify the cause of elevated glucocorticoid concentrations when both types of stressors are present. This problem has been particularly challenging in studies of social dominance rank in wild animals. In contrast to glucocorticoids, thyroid hormone concentrations are largely unaffected by psychosocial stressors and therefore offer a better estimate of energetic challenges.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNAs that enhance viral fitness and immune evasion.

Coronaviruses express their structural and accessory genes via a set of subgenomic RNAs, whose synthesis is directed by transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) in the 5' genomic leader and upstream of each body open reading frame. In SARS-CoV-2, the TRS has the consensus AAACGAAC; upon searching for emergence of this motif in the global SARS-CoV-2 sequences, we find that it evolves frequently, especially in the 3' end of the genome. We show well-supported examples upstream of the Spike gene-within the nsp16 coding region of ORF1b-which is expressed during human infection, and upstream of the canonical Envelope gene TRS, both of which have evolved convergently in multiple lineages.

Establishing quality assurance for COVID-19 antigen tests in the Indo Pacific Region: A multi-site implementation study.

Background: Quality assurance programs (QAPs) are used to evaluate the analytical quality of a diagnostic test and provide feedback to improve quality processes in testing. Rapid diagnostic tests were used in both laboratory and non-laboratory settings to diagnose COVID-19, although varied in reported performance. We aimed to design and implement a QAP for antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for COVID-19 in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Papua New Guinea.

SMARCA4 regulates the NK-mediated killing of senescent cells.

Induction of senescence by chemotherapeutic agents arrests cancer cells and activates immune surveillance responses to contribute to therapy outcomes. In this investigation, we searched for ways to enhance the NK-mediated elimination of senescent cells. We used a staggered screen approach, first identifying siRNAs potentiating the secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines to later test for their ability to enhance NK-mediated killing of senescent cells.

Accurate evaluation of factor VIII activity of efanesoctocog alfa in the presence of emicizumab.

Background: Efanesoctocog is a B-domain-deleted, Fc-fusion factor (F)VIII linked to the D'D3 domain of von Willebrand factor and 2 XTEN polypeptides, designed for an ultra-extended half-life for prophylaxis in hemophilia A, but also aiding in managing acute bleeding or surgery in patients on long-term emicizumab. However, no current laboratory method accurately measures FVIII levels in the presence of emicizumab.

Objectives: To test whether the bovine chromogenic FVIII assay, specifically calibrated for efanesoctocog, could provide an accurate assessment of efanesoctocog activity.

Combination Antithrombotic Therapy for Reduction of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease.

Background: Stroke secondary to intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is associated with high recurrence risk despite currently available secondary prevention strategies. In patients with systemic atherosclerosis, a significant reduction of stroke risk with no increase in intracranial or fatal hemorrhage was seen when rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily was added to aspirin.

Long-Term Complications in Patient-Specific Plates for Maxillary Reconstruction.

Objectives: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) allows for optimal reconstruction of maxillary defects with fibula free flaps. Current data are limited regarding long-term complications of patient-specific plates (PSPs) in this setting. Our objective was to determine long-term complications of PSPs in maxillary reconstruction using fibula free flaps.

Complete Genome Sequences of Phages EarickHC, Figueroism, FinalFrontier, SBlackberry, Skylord, and Slay isolated using .

Phages EarickHC, Figueroism, FinalFrontier, SBlackberry, Skylord, and Slay were isolated from soil samples collected around Southern California using the host All six phages are lytic and have a siphoviral morphology. Genomes are 39,843 to 52,992 bp in length and contain 58 to 91 protein coding genes.

Bleed treatment with eptacog beta (rFVIIa) results in a low incidence of rebleeding in adult and adolescent patients with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors.

Introduction: Eptacog beta is a novel human recombinant FVIIa approved for use in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Mexico for the treatment and control of bleeding in patients with haemophilia A or B with inhibitors (≥12 years). It is also indicated for perioperative care in the same patient population in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Aim: To assess the incidence of rebleeding and review treatment outcomes in subjects with haemophilia with inhibitors enrolled in the phase 3 PERSEPT 1 clinical trial.

Strategies for creation of data reserve and stress testing of medical AI products.

With the fast development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in medicine, it is often said that the time for intelligent medicine is arriving, if not already have arrived. While there is no doubt that AI-centred intelligent medicine will transform current healthcare, it is necessary to test and re-test medical AI (MAI) products before they are implemented in the real world. From the perspective of ensuring safety, accuracy and efficiency, it is imperative that MAIs undergo stress tests in a systematic and comprehensive manner where stress tests subject MAIs to workloads and environments beyond tests carried out by their developers.

JTH in Clinic: deconstructing the ISTH hemophilia guidelines for the clinician.

Recently, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Hemophilia Guidelines were published in this journal. The authors of these guidelines should be commended for a herculean task that took years to complete, and while this is no doubt a welcome addition to the literature, it does leave many questions for the clinician. This is primarily because 11 of the 13 recommendations are conditional, essentially meaning "that clinicians and patients need to consider individual preferences as well as the specific circumstances in which the decision is being made for implementation of the recommendation.

Caregiver-implemented intervention to increase use of positive airway pressure for adults with Down syndrome and sleep apnea.

Many individuals with Down syndrome are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a medical condition that substantially affects health and quality of life. The most common treatment for OSA is positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. Few studies have examined interventions to improve PAP therapy adherence for adults with developmental disabilities or have recruited the assistance of caregivers to improve adherence with this therapy in the home.

Strategies for improving treatment retention for buprenorphine/naloxone for opioid use disorder: a qualitative study of issues and recommendations from prescribers.

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a significant public health issue as the number of opioid-related overdose deaths continues to reach new highs each year. Buprenorphine/Naloxone is a medication that has been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of OUD. However, the clinical management of patients on this medication is challenging as many patients discontinue treatment prematurely.

Fecal Immunochemical Test Positivity Thresholds: An International Survey of Population-Based Screening Programs.

Background: The fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin (FIT) is now a widely used non-invasive test in population-based organized screening programs for colorectal neoplasia. The positivity thresholds of tests currently in use are based on the fecal hemoglobin concentration (f-Hb), but the rationale for the adopted thresholds are not well documented. To understand current global usage of FIT in screening programs we conducted an international survey of the brands of FIT used, the f-Hb positivity threshold applied and the rationale for the choice.

Concizumab prophylaxis in people with haemophilia A or haemophilia B without inhibitors (explorer8): a prospective, multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3a trial.

Background: Concizumab is an anti-tissue factor pathway inhibitor monoclonal antibody in development as a once-daily, subcutaneous prophylaxis for patients with haemophilia A or haemophilia B with or without inhibitors. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of concizumab in patients with haemophilia A or B without inhibitors. Here we report the results from the confirmatory analysis cutoff.

Tracking the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease after Almond and Oat Milk Intervene or Statin Medication with a Powerful Reflex SH-SAW POCT Platform.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of death worldwide. For individuals at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, early detection and monitoring of lipid status is imperative. The majority of lipid measurements conducted in hospital settings employ optical detection, which necessitates the use of relatively large-sized detection machines.

Towards Reducing Diagnostic Errors with Interpretable Risk Prediction.

Many diagnostic errors occur because clinicians cannot easily access relevant information in patient Electronic Health Records (EHRs). In this work we propose a method to use LLMs to identify pieces of evidence in patient EHR data that indicate increased or decreased risk of specific diagnoses; our ultimate aim is to increase access to evidence and reduce diagnostic errors. In particular, we propose a Neural Additive Model to make predictions backed by evidence with individualized risk estimates at time-points where clinicians are still uncertain, aiming to specifically mitigate delays in diagnosis and errors stemming from an incomplete differential.

Prairie voles seek social contact with peer companions during immune challenge.

Selection for group living has occurred across taxa, despite inherent risk of disease transmission. Behavioral and immune responses to sickness affect social interactions and can be altered by social contexts. However, the majority of research on sickness behavior has focused on species that do not form selective social relationships.

Coronary Sinus Isolation for High-Burden Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The coronary sinus is an arrhythmogenic structure that can initiate and maintain atrial fibrillation (AF). Coronary sinus ablation has been shown to be effective in prolonging the AF cycle length and terminating AF in patients with both paroxysmal and persistent AF who have persistent AF after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to undertake a randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of coronary sinus isolation (CSI) as an adjunctive ablation strategy for the treatment of high-burden AF.