Peptide toxins as tools in ion channel biology.

Animal venom contains ion channel-targeting peptide toxins that inflict paralysis or pain. The high specificity and potency of these toxins for their target ion channels provides enticing opportunities for their deployment as tools in channel biology. Mechanistic studies on toxin-mediated ion channel modulation have yielded landmark breakthroughs in our understanding of channel architectures and gating mechanisms.

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during gestation and lactation caused fertility decline in female mouse offspring.

The impact of micro/nano plastics (MPs/NPs) on human health is a significant area of research. Studies on the effects of maternal exposure to microplastics (MPs) on the fertility in offspring have been conducted, but the damage caused by nanoplastics (NPs) remains ambiguous. In this study, pregnant Kunming mice were exposed to 30 mg/kg/day PS-NPs from 0.

A framework for monitoring RSV prevention product effectiveness in the United States.

During 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunizations intended for widespread use in the United States to prevent severe RSV illness in infants and older adults. CDC, in collaboration with federal, public health, and academic partners, is conducting evaluations of real-world effectiveness of recommended RSV immunization products in the United States. Similar frameworks for evaluation are being applied to RSV vaccines and nirsevimab, a long-acting preventative monoclonal antibody, to estimate product effectiveness.

Prognostic significance of diastolic wall strain as a predictor of remodeling and poor outcomes in heart failure and pulmonary embolism: A systematic review.

Background: Diastolic wall strain (DWS), also referred to as right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, is a significant predictor of pulmonary embolism (PE) and heart failure (HF). Rooted in linear elastic theory, DWS reflects decreased wall thinning during diastole, indicating reduced left ventricular (LV) compliance and increased diastolic stiffness. Elevated diastolic stiffness is associated with worse outcomes, particularly in PE and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

A systematic review and meta-analysis of endovascular treatment of carotid blowout syndrome.

Unlabelled: Carotid Blowout Syndrome (CBS) is a rare and life-threatening condition that necessitates prompt intervention to prevent fatal hemorrhage. This study compares the outcomes of two primary endovascular approaches: reconstructive interventions, which aim to preserve carotid artery function using stents or balloon angioplasty, and deconstructive interventions, which involve vessel occlusion to halt bleeding. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching multiple databases for relevant studies published from January 2000 to August 2023.

Real-world infection risk in multiple sclerosis patients on long-term immunomodulatory treatments.

Introduction: Numerous immunomodulatory treatments exist for multiple sclerosis (MS), including those that deplete immune cells (e.g. anti-CD20 medications), relocate immune cells (e.

Identification of anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds from Qingwen Zhike prescription and exploration of their underlying mechanism by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS, high-throughput screening assays and transmission electron microscopy.

Qingwen Zhike prescription (QWZK), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital prescription developed in response to the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has demonstrated efficacy in clinical practice. Nevertheless, its specific antiviral components and mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study screened the antiviral compounds against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from Qingwen Zhike prescription and explored the underlying mechanism through chemical composition analysis, serum and lung exposure profiles analysis, high-throughput screening, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation.

Composite bioreactor for synergistic Modulation of tumor microenvironment and endogenous Regulation of ROS generation to enhance chemodynamic therapy for lung cancer.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by several key features, including hypoxia, elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide (HO), high concentrations of glutathione (GSH), and an acidic pH. Recent research has increasingly focused on harnessing or targeting these characteristics for effective cancer therapy. In this study, we developed an innovative composite bio-reactor that integrates genetically engineered bacteria with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and nano-copper manganese materials for lung cancer treatment.

Exploring the acceptability of a risk prediction tool for cardiometabolic risk (gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy) for use in early pregnancy: A qualitative study.

Problem/ Background: The acceptability of providing women with personalised cardiometabolic risk information using risk prediction tools early in pregnancy is not well understood.

Aim: To explore women's and healthcare professionals' perspectives of the acceptability of a prognostic, composite risk prediction tool for cardiometabolic risk (gestational diabetes and/or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy) for use in early pregnancy.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the acceptability of cardiometabolic risk prediction tools, preferences for risk communication and considerations for implementation into antenatal care.

Progressive functional training in patients who underwent jaw defect reconstruction using vascularized iliac flaps: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This trial was aimed at investigating the effects of progressive functional training on hip mobility, lower-limb stability, quality of life, and hip complications in patients who have undergone jaw defect reconstruction using vascularized iliac flaps.

Methods: Patients who underwent reconstruction surgery with vascularized iliac flaps were randomly divided into control and training groups. The control group, according to routine nursing practice, only received activity and safety guidance after the operation.

Unraveling the complexity of HRD assessment in ovarian cancer by combining genomic and functional approaches: translational analyses of MITO16-MaNGO-OV-2 trial.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OvC) constitutes significant management challenges primarily due to its late-stage diagnosis and the development of resistance to chemotherapy. The standard treatment regimen typically includes carboplatin and paclitaxel, with the addition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors for patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) harboring BRCA1/2 mutations. However, the variability in treatment responses suggests the need to investigate factors beyond BRCA1/2 mutations, such as DNA repair mechanisms and epigenetic alterations.

Survival analysis of the non-metastatic cohort of the Italian Association for Medical Oncology (AIOM) Guideline Application in Real world: multi-Institutional Based survey of Adjuvant and first-Line pancreatic Ductal adenocarcinoma treatment in Italy (GARIBALDI).

Background: Non-metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a challenging scenario: the rarity of the disease, the limited number of completed prospective trials, and the shortcomings of comparability across series produce several controversial topics and unanswered questions. Guideline recommendations usually include all the different therapeutic options, de facto transferring to the multidisciplinary team the responsibility on the final decision. This secondary analysis of the GARIBALDI study was aimed to explore the correlation of center type, self-declared volume, and commitment with the overall survival (OS) in patients with non-metastatic PDAC.

Ethnic origin in cancer clinical trials: overrated or understated? A comprehensive analysis of cancer clinical trials leading to FDA and EMA approvals between 2020 and 2022.

Background: Ethnic diversity in cancer clinical trials is essential to ensure that therapeutic advances are equitable and broadly applicable in multicultural societies. Yet, missing consensus on the documentation of ethnic origin, partially based on the complexity of the terminology and fear of discrimination, leads to suboptimal patient management of minority populations. Additionally, eligibility criteria, such as stringent laboratory cut-offs, often fail to account for variations across ethnic groups, potentially excluding patients without evidence-based justification.

Results of a patient-level pooled analysis of three studies of trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2-positive breast cancer with active brain metastasis.

Background: Brain metastases (BMs) are common in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced breast cancer, increasing morbidity and mortality. Systemic therapy for BMs can be effective, with the triple combination of trastuzumab, capecitabine, and tucatinib being a potential standard. More recently, intracranial activity of antibody-drug conjugates has been reported, but the size of individual studies has been small.

Longer survival with precision medicine in late-stage cancer patients.

Background: In a per-protocol analysis of molecularly profiled patients with treatment-refractory, end-stage cancer discussed at the National Molecular Tumor Board (NMTB), we aimed to assess the overall survival (OS) outcome of targeted treatment compared with no targeted treatment.

Materials And Methods: Patients were prospectively included at a single oncological center. Whole exome and RNA sequencing (tumor-normal) were carried out, and cases were presented at the NMTB for discussion of targeted treatment.

Targeting lipid metabolism via nanomedicine: A prospective strategy for cancer therapy.

Lipid metabolism has been increasingly recognized to play an influencing role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic drug resistance. Targeting lipid metabolic reprogramming represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Despite their structural complexity and poor targeting efficacy, lipid-metabolizing drugs, either used alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, have been employed in clinical practice.

Hydrogel injection molded complex macroencapsulation device geometry improves long-term cell therapy viability and function in the rat omentum transplant site.

Insulin-secreting allogeneic cell therapies are a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes, with the potential to eliminate hypoglycemia and long-term complications of the disease. However, chronic systemic immunosuppression is necessary to prevent graft rejection, and the acute risks associated with immunosuppression limit the number of patients who can be treated with allogeneic cell therapies. Islet macroencapsulation in a hydrogel biomaterial is one proposed method to reduce or eliminate immune suppression; however, macroencapsulation devices suffer from poor oxygen transport and limited efficacy as they scale to large animal model preclinical studies and clinical trials.

Comparison of neuraminidase inhibiting antibody responses elicited by egg- and cell-derived influenza vaccines.

Unlabelled: Neuraminidase (NA)-specific antibodies contribute to immunity against influenza. While studies have demonstrated increased NA inhibiting (NAI) antibody titers after vaccination with egg-derived inactivated influenza vaccines (eIIV), the response to cell culture-derived (c) IIV has not been reported.

Methods: An immunogenicity sub-study was performed within a clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of egg, cell, and recombinant hemagglutinin (HA)-derived influenza vaccines during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 influenza seasons.

Dienogest treatment of symptomatic adenomyosis: An in-depth meta-analysis.

Background: Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disease and a major contributor to dysmenorrhea that substantially reduces the quality of life of the affected. Dienogest has emerged as a promising drug for treating adenomyosis. A few systematic reviews and meta-analyses on this topic have been published recently.

Efficacy and safety of psilocybin in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): A dose-response network meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Selecting the optimal dose of psilocybin for treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) is crucial for clinical development and regulatory approval. This meta-analysis evaluates psilocybin's efficacy and safety in treating MDD to determine the optimal dose and timing for clinical trials. A systematic review and Dose-Response Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials (RCTs) registered with PROSPERO was conducted.

Short-term clinical outcomes of subway-related amputations.

Introduction: In city hospitals, subway-related traumatic amputations are a frequent pattern of injury, however there is a paucity of literature on this specific injury pattern. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of subway-related traumatic amputations, as well as compare them to non-subway traumatic amputations.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective review was performed at a single Level-1 trauma center in a metropolitan area.

Use of a hidden Markov model for interpretation of serial cow milk paratuberculosis antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results adjusted for milk yield and quality.

Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a common, economically-important and potentially zoonotic contagious disease of cattle, with worldwide distribution. Disease management relies on identification of animals which are at high-risk of being infected or infectious.

Analysis of nuclear receptor expression in head and neck cancer.

Objective: Studies of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) have demonstrated the importance of nuclear receptors and their associated coregulators in the development and treatment of HNSCC. We sought to characterize members of the nuclear receptor super family through interrogation of RNA-Seq and microarray data.

Materials And Methods: TCGA RNA-Seq data within the cBioportal platform comparing HNSCC samples (n = 515 patients with RNA-Seq data) to normal tissue (n = 82 patients) was interrogated for significant differences in nuclear receptor expression.