Idecabtagene vicleucel or ciltacabtagene autoleucel for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: An international multicenter study.

Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel) and ciltacabtagene autoleucel (cilta-cel) have revolutionized the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but direct comparisons are lacking. Leveraging an international multicenter RRMM cohort, we compared the outcome of ide-cel ( = 162) versus cilta-cel ( = 42). Co-primary efficacy endpoints of the study were overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Disease characteristics and outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia in germline deficiency (Familial Platelet Disorder with associated Myeloid Malignancy).

Familial Platelet Disorder with associated Myeloid Malignancy (FPDMM, FPD/AML, -FPD), caused by monoallelic deleterious germline variants, is characterized by bleeding diathesis and predisposition for hematologic malignancies, particularly myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinical data on FPDMM-associated AML (FPDMM-AML) are limited, complicating evidence-based clinical decision-making. Here, we present retrospective genetic and clinical data of the largest cohort of FPDMM patients reported to date.

Brain-inspired wiring economics for artificial neural networks.

Wiring patterns of brain networks embody a trade-off between information transmission, geometric constraints, and metabolic cost, all of which must be balanced to meet functional needs. Geometry and wiring economy are crucial in the development of brains, but their impact on artificial neural networks (ANNs) remains little understood. Here, we adopt a wiring cost-controlled training framework that simultaneously optimizes wiring efficiency and task performance during structural evolution of sparse ANNs whose nodes are located at arbitrary but fixed positions.

The conserved lysine residue in transmembrane helix 5 is pivotal for the cytoplasmic gating of the L-amino acid transporters.

L-Amino acid transporters (LATs) play a key role in a wide range of physiological processes. Defects in LATs can lead to neurological disorders and aminoacidurias, while the overexpression of these transporters is related to cancer. BasC is a bacterial LAT transporter with an APC fold.

Effects of infection on neonates: a meta-analysis.

Objective: (UU) is an opportunistic pathogen transmitted from mother to fetus, potentially causing neonatal diseases. Despite extensive research, its association with these diseases remains uncertain. This study analyzes the effects of UU infection on newborns.

ChatGPT-Assisted Machine Learning for Chronic Disease Classification and Prediction: A Developmental and Validation Study.

Background Chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic liver disease (CLD), tuberculosis (TB), dementia, and heart disease are global health concerns of significant importance, representing major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis and interventions are critical to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Methods This prospective observational study analyzed clinical data from 270 patients (calculated using G*Power 3.

Long-term recurrence after parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism-do predictors exist?

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is the third most common endocrine disease, affecting predominantly postmenopausal women. About 85% of cases are caused by a solitary parathyroid adenoma which leads to a hypersecretion of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and consequently to elevated serum calcium concentrations. Parathyroidectomy is the only curative treatment.

Seasonal productivity of the equatorial Atlantic shaped by distinct wind-driven processes.

The eastern equatorial Atlantic hosts a productive marine ecosystem that depends on upward supply of nitrate, the primary limiting nutrient in this region. The annual productivity peak, indicated by elevated surface chlorophyll levels, occurs in the Northern Hemisphere summer, roughly coinciding with strengthened easterly winds. For enhanced productivity in the equatorial Atlantic, nitrate-rich water must rise into the turbulent layer above the Equatorial Undercurrent.

Rapid rise in atmospheric CO marked the end of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age.

Atmospheric CO is thought to play a fundamental role in Earth's climate regulation. Yet, for much of Earth's geological past, atmospheric CO has been poorly constrained, hindering our understanding of transitions between cool and warm climates. Beginning ~370 million years ago in the Late Devonian and ending ~260 million years ago in the Permian, the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age was the last major glaciation preceding the current Late Cenozoic Ice Age and possibly the most intense glaciation witnessed by complex lifeforms.

Preservation of organic carbon in marine sediments sustained by sorption and transformation processes.

Controls on organic carbon preservation in marine sediments remain controversial but crucial for understanding past and future climate dynamics. Here we develop a conceptual-mathematical model to determine the key processes for the preservation of organic carbon. The model considers the major processes involved in the breakdown of organic carbon, including dissolved organic carbon hydrolysis, mixing, remineralization, mineral sorption and molecular transformation.

Incidence of dementia in the German Heinz Nixdorf Recall study over 20 years.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to estimate the population-based dementia incidence in Germany over a period of two decades.

Methods: We analyzed data from 4814 participants of the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (49.8% men, 45-75 years at baseline period 2000-2003), who have been monitored for the occurrence of cognitive decline and dementia.

Comprehensive Cellular Senescence Evaluation to Aid Targeted Therapies.

Drug resistance to a single agent is common in cancer-targeted therapies, and rational drug combinations are a promising approach to overcome this challenge. Many Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs can induce cellular senescence, which possesses unique vulnerabilities and molecular signatures. However, there is limited analysis on the effect of the combination of cellular-senescence-inducing drugs and targeted therapy drugs.

Patient-reported Outcome Measures and Decision Regret After Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen-targeted Radioguided Surgery for Oligorecurrent Prostate Cancer.

Background And Objective: In patients with oligorecurrent prostate cancer (PCa), prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted radioguided surgery (PSMA-RGS) prolongs treatment-free survival. Data on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are lacking.

Methods: A retrospective assessment of validated PROMs (12-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12], 26-item Expanded Prostate Index Composite, and Decision Regret Scale [DRS]) was performed before and after PSMA-RGS for oligorecurrent PCa.

Fracture characteristics of human cortical bone influenced by the duration of glycation.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in various tissues, including bone, due to aging and conditions like diabetes mellitus. To investigate the effects of AGEs on bone material quality and biomechanical properties, an study utilizing human tibial cortex, sectioned into 90 beams, and randomly assigned to three mechanical test groups was performed. Each test group included ribose ( = 0.

Conversion Therapy for Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Report From the Expert Consensus Meeting at KINGCA WEEK 2024.

Conversion therapy is a treatment strategy that shifts from palliative systemic therapy to curative surgical treatment for primary and/or metastatic stage IV gastric cancer (GC). To address its clinical statements, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association aims to present a consensus on conversion therapy among experts attending KINGCA WEEK 2024. The KINGCA Scientific Committee and Development Working Group for Korean Practice Guidelines prepared preformulated topics and 9 clinical statements for conversion therapy.

The effectiveness of real-life cognitive and physical interventions on cognitive functioning in healthy older adults: A systematic review of the effects of education and training duration.

Physical and cognitive interventions are deemed the primary methods of improving cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is still debated. This systematic review, synthesised findings from the literature on four different types of interventions: physical activities, cognitive training, cognitive stimulation and a combined intervention.

Fatty-acid amide hydrolase inhibition mitigates Alzheimer's disease progression in mouse models of amyloidosis.

The endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a pro-homeostatic bioactive lipid known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties, which may contrast/mitigate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. This study explores the therapeutic potential of targeting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the major enzyme degrading AEA, in mouse models of amyloidosis (APP/PS1 and Tg2576). Enhancing AEA signaling by genetic deletion of FAAH delayed cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice and improved cognitive symptoms in 12-month-old AD-like mice.

Multiple, Single Trait GWAS and Supervised Machine Learning Reveal the Genetic Architecture of Fraxinus excelsior Tolerance to Ash Dieback in Europe.

Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is under intensive attack from the invasive alien pathogenic fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, causing ash dieback at epidemic levels throughout Europe. Previous studies have found significant genetic variation among genotypes in ash dieback susceptibility and that host phenology, such as autumn yellowing, is correlated with susceptibility of ash trees to H. fraxineus; however, the genomic basis of ash dieback tolerance in F.

Effects of Webcam Access to Preterm Infants in NICUs on Parental Psychological Strain.

Aim: To investigate whether webcam access for parents of infants in neonatal intensive care units influences parental postpartum depression and stress experiences.

Methods: Parents whose infants had a birth weight below 1500 g and who were admitted to one of the four participating tertiary care hospitals were eligible to participate in the study. The study followed the structure of a multi-centre cross-over pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Chitin Analysis in Insect-Based Feed Ingredients and Mixed Feed: Development of a Cost-Effective and Practical Method.

Insects are used as an alternative sustainable, protein-rich ingredient in fish, pet, pig and poultry diets. The significant difference between insect meals and common protein sources is the content of chitin. The nitrogen contained in chitin, which makes up 6.

German evidence- and consensus-based guideline on the management of penile urethritis.

Urethritis is a common condition predominantly caused by sexually transmitted pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium. It is not possible to differentiate with certainty between pathogens on the basis of clinical characteristics alone. However, empirical antibiotic therapy is often initiated in clinical practice.

Sprayed Aqueous Microdroplets for Spontaneous Synthesis of Functional Microgels.

The development of sustainable synthesis route to produce functional and bioactive polymer colloids has attracted much attention. Most strategies are based on the polymerization of monomers or crosslinking of prepolymers by enzyme- or cell-mediated reactions or specific catalysts in confined emulsions. Herein, a facile solution spray method was developed for spontaneous synthesis of microgels without use of confined emulsion, additional initiators/catalysts and deoxygenation, which addresses the challenges in traditional microgel synthesis.

High Nutritional Conditions Influence Feeding Plasticity in Pristionchus pacificus and Render Worms Non-Predatory.

Developmental plasticity, the ability of a genotype to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental conditions, has been subject to intense studies in the last four decades. The self-fertilising nematode Pristionchus pacificus has been developed as a genetic model system for studying developmental plasticity due to its mouth-form polyphenism that results in alternative feeding strategies with a facultative predatory and non-predatory mouth form. Many studies linked molecular aspects of the regulation of mouth-form polyphenism with investigations of its evolutionary and ecological significance.

Multi-Targeting Macrocyclic Peptides as Nanomolar Inhibitors of Self- and Cross-Seeded Amyloid Self-Assembly of α-Synuclein.

Amyloid self-assembly of α-synuclein (αSyn) is linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has recently emerged as a risk factor for PD. Cross-interactions between their amyloidogenic proteins may act as molecular links.