The sedoheptulose kinase CARKL controls T-cell cytokine outputs and migration by promoting metabolic reprogramming.

Background: Immunometabolism is a crucial determinant of immune cell function, influencing cellular activation and differentiation through metabolic pathways. The intricate interplay between metabolism and immune responses is highlighted by the distinct metabolic programs utilized by immune cells to support their functions. Of particular interest is the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), a key metabolic pathway branching out of glycolysis that plays a pivotal role in generating NADPH and pentose sugars crucial for antioxidant defense and biosynthesis.

Key Stakeholders' Views on Salt Intake Reduction and Barriers and Facilitators to Reducing Salt Intake in Malaysian Schools: A Qualitative Study.

Excessive salt or sodium intake is strongly linked to increased blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the views of key stakeholders on salt intake reduction and barriers and facilitators to reducing salt intake in Malaysian schools. The stakeholders in this study were school administrators, food operators, and consumers.

Reframing assisted dying through the civil law: possibilities and challenges for the UK.

Background: Current proposals for assisted dying in the UK are based on embedding it within a medical, healthcare model. This model is revealing challenges in safeguarding, monitoring and the impact on healthcare.

Objective: To explore if a different model is a safer, pragmatic and realistic alternative.

Validation of the Japanese version of the Esophageal Hypervigilance and Anxiety Scale for esophageal symptoms.

Background: The Esophageal Hypervigilance and Anxiety Scale (EHAS) is an English questionnaire created in the USA to assess these factors in all patients with esophageal diseases. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Japanese version of EHAS and investigate the relationship between EHAS scores and symptoms in untreated disorders of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow.

Methods: This prospective study recruited patients who underwent high-resolution manometry (HRM) at six tertiary centers in Japan.

Preoperative gastric retention in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

We comment on the article by Jia , in the . We focus mainly on the factors that impair gastric motility and cause gastric retention in the pre-operative setting of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ERCP is a complex endoscopic therapeutic procedure, which demands great skill from the endoscopist but also has recognized complications.

The risk of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases following exposure to childhood maltreatment: A retrospective cohort study using UK primary care data.

Background: As a global public health issue, childhood maltreatment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between childhood maltreatment and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched open cohort study using a UK primary care database between January 1, 1995 and January 31, 2021.

Neuroepithelial cyst causing homonymous hemianopia treated through surgical marsupialization under visual-evoked potentials: A case report.

Background: Neuroepithelial cysts (NECs) are rare entities, occasionally causing neurological symptoms that can be overlooked.

Case Description: A case of an occipital neuroepithelial cyst is discussed. The initial presentation consisted of mild homonymous hemianopia and gait impairment.

Investigating the role of elastin and extracellular matrix damage in cardiovascular calcification.

Although calcification in the cardiovascular system is highly studied, the mechanisms behind it are not well understood. Current proposed mechanisms focus on cellular processes leading to, or controlling the unwanted mineralization in soft tissues. However, extracellular components such as collagen and elastin fundamentally regulate the mechanical properties of heart tissues.

Zebrafish model for functional screening of flow-responsive genes controlling endothelial cell proliferation.

Local haemodynamics control arterial homeostasis and dysfunction by generating wall shear stress (WSS) which regulates endothelial cell (EC) physiology. Here we use a zebrafish model to identify genes that regulate EC proliferation in response to flow. Suppression of blood flow in zebrafish embryos (by targeting cardiac troponin) reduced EC proliferation in the intersegmental vessels (ISVs) compared to controls exposed to flow.

Professional Resistance: Why Korean Medical Students are Boycotting Over Increasing Medical School Places.

In February 2024, medical students in South Korea began submitting leave-of-absence requests in protest of a 65% increase in the number of medical school places in 2025. 14,000 medical students have boycotted classes and 12,000 doctors have resigned en masse. The 2024 Korean medical student collective action highlights the 'power' of medical students, the need for independent medical licensing bodies and the risks to the quality of medical education when places in medical schools are rapidly increased.

Proteome-wide forced interactions reveal a functional map of cell-cycle phospho-regulation in .

Dynamic protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play an essential role in cell cycle progression. Kinases and phosphatases are generally highly conserved across eukaryotes, underlining their importance for post-translational regulation of substrate proteins. In recent years, advances in phospho-proteomics have shed light on protein phosphorylation dynamics throughout the cell cycle, and ongoing progress in bioinformatics has significantly improved annotation of specific phosphorylation events to a given kinase.

Electrophysiological Phenotype-Genotype Study of Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in Inherited, High Arrhythmic Risk, Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Among inherited cardiomyopathies involving the left ventricle, whether dilated or not, certain genotypes carry a well-established arrhythmic risk, notably manifested as sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT). Nonetheless, the precise localization and electrophysiological profile of this substrate remain undisclosed across different genotypes.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and left ventricle involvement due to high-risk genetic variants and SMVT treated by electrophysiological study were recruited from 18 European/US centers.

Real-world safety and efficacy of rADAMTS13 in the treatment of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in pediatric patients in Poland.

Background: Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) is an ultrarare microvascular disease caused by the deficiency of the metalloprotease ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs 13). Approximately half of all cases remain undiagnosed until a triggering event in adulthood; therefore, the prevalence rates may be underestimated. The current standard of care is based on regular transfusions of fresh frozen plasma, which often lead to allergic reactions in patients.

Soluble Proteoglycans and Proteoglycan Fragments as Biomarkers of Pathological Extracellular Matrix Remodeling.

Proteoglycans and their proteolytic fragments diffuse into biological fluids such as plasma, serum, urine, or synovial fluid, where they can be detected by antibodies or mass-spectrometry. Neopeptides generated by the proteolysis of proteoglycans are recognized by specific neoepitope antibodies and can act as a proxy for the activity of certain proteases. Proteoglycan and proteoglycan fragments can be potentially used as prognostic, diagnostic, or theragnostic biomarkers for several diseases characterized by dysregulated extracellular matrix remodeling such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, thoracic aortic aneurysms, central nervous system disorders, viral infections, and cancer.

Less Pain with Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis Compared to Placebo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

The present meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for knee osteoarthritis. The outcomes of interest were the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario McMaster Osteo-Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores. This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement.

Prognostic Factors in Patients Undergoing Physiotherapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Level I Systematic Review.

: Low back pain is common. For patients with mechanic or non-specific chronic LBP (cLBP), the current guidelines suggest conservative, nonpharmacologic treatment as a first-line treatment. Among the available strategies, physiotherapy represents a common option offered to patients presenting with cLBP.

Sternal Wound Reconstruction Following Deep Sternal Wound Infection: Past, Present and Future: A Literature Review.

This literature review critically examines the historical, current, and prospective dimensions of sternal wound reconstruction in the specific context of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI), aiming to enhance patient outcomes and optimise surgical techniques. Preventive measures, including prophylactic antibiotic administration and surgical site preparation, are crucial in reducing the incidence of DSWI. Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach encompassing surgical debridement, drainage, and sternum repair utilising diverse procedures in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.