PepFuNN: Novo Nordisk Open-Source Toolkit to Enable Peptide in Silico Analysis.

We present PepFuNN, a new open-source version of the PepFun package with functions to study the chemical space of peptide libraries and perform structure-activity relationship analyses. PepFuNN is a Python package comprising five modules to study peptides with natural amino acids and, in some cases, sequences with non-natural amino acids based on the availability of a public monomer dictionary. The modules allow calculating physicochemical properties, performing similarity analysis using different peptide representations, clustering peptides using molecular fingerprints or calculated descriptors, designing peptide libraries based on specific requirements, and a module dedicated to extracting matched pairs from experimental campaigns to guide the selection of the most relevant mutations in design new rounds.

Evaluation of Health Education Based on Pictograms and Video Sequences in the Prevention of Hand Eczema Among Hospital Cleaners: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial With 24 Weeks Follow-Up.

Background: Hand eczema (HE) is common among hospital cleaners, yet no specific prevention programme exists for this group in Denmark.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of visual aids (pictograms and video scenes) based on evidence-based skin care and protection recommendations on HE outcomes, focusing on disease severity, point prevalence and skin care and protection knowledge.

Methods: A cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted in professional cleaners from three Danish hospitals.

Comparing the OurRelationship Program and Bibliotherapy for Parents Experiencing Couple Distress: A Randomized Pilot.

The OurRelationship Program is an 8-h web-based program for distressed couples adapted from Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we aimed to replicate results from the founders and test feasibility criteria for program implementation across cultures. We randomized 39 Danish, opposite-sex, distressed, parenting couples to either the OurRelationship program or self-guided bibliotherapy (a self-help book with a reading guide).

Prophylactic Peanut Allergen Ara h 6 Sublingual Immunotherapy Drives Expansion of FoxP3Helios Regulatory T Cells in the Absence of Allergen-Specific IgA.

Insights into the underlying immunological mechanisms of prophylactic sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may support the development of new strategies for improved prevention and treatment of food allergy. Here, we investigated the humoral, regulatory and sublingual tissue immune response to prophylactic SLIT administration of a single purified peanut allergen in Brown Norway (BN) rats. BN rats received daily sublingual administration of peanut allergen Ara h 6 for three weeks.

Establishing reference curves for vital tissue perfusion using quantitative near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green.

Purpose: Assessment of tissue perfusion using near-infrared fluorescence (NIR) with indocyanine green (ICG) is gaining popularity, however reliable and objective interpretation remains a challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to establish reference curves for vital tissue perfusion across target tissues using this imaging modality.

Methods: Data from five prospective study cohorts conducted in three Dutch academic medical centres between December 2018 and June 2023 was included.

Clinical experience with denosumab discontinuation.

Unlabelled: In patients receiving long-term treatment with denosumab, denosumab discontinuation via sequential treatment with zoledronate, resulted in a minor decrease in bone mass density (BMD) of 0-2.5% within the first year and stabile BMD in the second year, thus showing that repeated treatments with zoledronate limit the loss of BMD, when discontinuing denosumab.

Purpose: Discontinuing denosumab (DMAb) rapidly decreases bone mineral density (BMD) and increases the risk of multiple vertebral fractures.

Hypoparathyroidism: Similarities and differences between Western and Eastern countries.

Backgroud: Hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) is characterized by acute and chronic complications due to insufficient parathyroid hormone (PTH) production or action. Several management guidelines have been developed, but mostly based on evidence from Western countries. Data from Eastern countries have not been systematically compared with those from Western countries.

Design and in vitro anticancer assessment of a click chemistry-derived dinuclear copper artificial metallo-nuclease.

Copper compounds with artificial metallo-nuclease (AMN) activity are mechanistically unique compared to established metallodrugs. Here, we describe the development of a new dinuclear copper AMN, Cu2-BPL-C6 (BPL-C6 = bis-1,10-phenanthroline-carbon-6), prepared using click chemistry that demonstrates site-specific DNA recognition with low micromolar cleavage activity. The BPL-C6 ligand was designed to force two redox-active copper centres-central for enhancing AMN activity-to bind DNA, via two phenanthroline ligands separated by an aliphatic linker.

Diminished DNA binding affinity of DMRT1 caused by heterozygous DM domain mutations is a cause of male infertility.

The most severe form of male infertility is idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), a complete sperm absence in the ejaculate. We performed exome sequencing in the Croatian infertile brothers with NOA and found a variant in DMRT1 (Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1) gene that was further assessed by the EMSA assay and molecular dynamic simulations. We additionally screened for DMRT1 mutations in 1940 infertile men diagnosed with spermatogenic failure, 644 normozoospermic controls, and 105 females with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) recruited to the GEnetics of Male INfertility Initiative (GEMINI) or Estonian Andrology (ESTAND) cohorts.

Cancer drug applications to the EMA and the FDA: A comparison of new drugs and extension of indication in terms of approval decisions and time in review.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the final approval decision and time from submission to final decision for new drug applications and applications for extension of indications to the EMA and the FDA within cancer drugs.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on antineoplastic drug applications with a final decision in both the EMA and the FDA from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. For each included drug application, we collected data from the EMA website and the Drugs@FDA database.

Improving future agricultural sustainability by optimizing crop distributions in China.

Improving agricultural sustainability is a global challenge, particularly for China's high-input and low-efficiency cropping systems with environmental tradeoffs. Although national strategies have been implemented to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in agriculture, the potential contributions of crop switching as a promising solution under varying future climate change are still under-explored. Here, we optimize cropping patterns spatially with the targets of enhancing agriculture production, reducing environmental burdens, and achieving sustainable fertilization across different climate scenarios.

Combining a guided self-help and brief alcohol intervention to improve mental health and reduce substance use among refugee men in Uganda: a cluster-randomized feasibility trial.

Evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions for men in humanitarian settings is limited. Moreover, engagement and retention of men in such interventions has been challenging. Adaptations may therefore be required to improve the appropriateness and acceptability of these interventions for men.

Critical Evaluation of the 2016 SOSORT Clinical Guidelines on the Detection and Clinical Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using the AGREE II Tool: A Chiropractic Perspective.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the methodological quality of the 2016 Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) guidelines for the detection and management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: A diverse group of experts, including practicing chiropractors, chiropractors with a Diplomate by the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology, chiropractors with PhD degrees, and chiropractors involved in teaching within chiropractic programs was invited to participate in the study. Experts independently evaluated the guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool.

Diagnosing Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation-Comparison of the Modified Glucksberg Criteria Versus the MAGIC Criteria.

Diagnosing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is challenging due to heterogeneity in interpreting current clinical criteria. Recently, the Mount Sinai Acute GvHD International Consortium (MAGIC) criteria were introduced to improve diagnostic consistency. In a study of 117 pediatric patients undergoing HSCT, the modified Glucksberg and the MAGIC criteria were retrospectively compared.

Helminth infection induces innate immune priming in plasmacytoid dendritic cells.

Heligmosomoides polygyrus co-infection is reported to have protective antiviral effects against pulmonary viral infections. To investigate a potential underlying mechanism, we infected C57BL/6 mice with H. polygyrus larvae for two weeks.

An Exploration of Adults Transitioning Into Retirements' Perspectives on Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity.

Issue Addressed: Australian adults transitioning into retirement aged 55-75 years (> 50%) do not meet the World Health Organization recommendation of physical activity (PA). One potential strategy to promote PA is through vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA). This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators from adults transitioning to retirement about participation in VILPA and to identify strategies to promote and implement VILPA.

Antimicrobial Peptides Against Arboviruses: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Directions.

This review delves into the potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as promising candidates for combating arboviruses, focusing on their mechanisms of antiviral activity, challenges, and future directions. AMPs have shown promise in preventing arbovirus attachment to host cells, inducing interferon production, and targeting multiple viral stages, illustrating their multifaceted impact on arbovirus infections. Structural elucidation of AMP-viral complexes is explored to deepen the understanding of molecular determinants governing viral neutralization, paving the way for structure-guided design.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with breast cancer mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the association between metabolic syndrome and breast cancer (BC) outcomes in BC survivors.

Methods: Systematic searches were carried out in PubMed and Embase using variations of the search terms: breast neoplasms (population), metabolic syndrome (exposure), and survival (outcome). Metabolic syndrome was characterized according to the American Heart Association, which includes the presence of three out of five abnormal findings among the risk factors: high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein, high fasting glucose, and central obesity.

Low readmission rates during neonatal homecare: Gestational age and bronchopulmonary dysplasia as key predictors.

Aim: Homecare for neonates has advanced, but combative analysis of contact methods remains unexplored. The aim was to identify predictors of readmission during homecare and to compare home visit, telemedicine or outpatient visit.

Methods: This retrospective study included infants receiving homecare from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2022.