Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Brain Tissues of Pet Birds with Neurological Symptoms Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) and PCR.

Background: This study seeks to close this divide by assessing the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the brain tissues of pet birds displaying neurological symptoms, utilizing Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) methods. Furthermore, it aims to evaluate and contrast the sensitivity and specificity of different diagnostic procedures.

Tacrolimus- and Mycophenolate-Mediated Toxicity: Clinical Considerations and Options in Management of Post-Transplant Patients.

Tacrolimus and mycophenolate are important immunosuppressive agents used to prevent organ rejection in post-transplant patients. While highly effective, their use is associated with significant toxicity, requiring careful management. Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, is linked to nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, metabolic disturbances such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular complications such as hypertension and arrhythmias.

Race to the Moon or the Bottom? Applications, Performance, and Ethical Considerations of Artificial Intelligence in Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.

This review aims to explore the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in prosthodontics and implant dentistry, focusing on its performance outcomes and associated ethical concerns. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus. Studies published between January 2022 and May 2024, in English, were considered.

Comparative Foliar Atmospheric Mercury Accumulation across Functional Types in Temperate Trees.

Vegetation assimilation of atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) represents the largest dry deposition pathway in global terrestrial ecosystems. This study investigated Hg accumulation mechanisms in deciduous broadleaves and evergreen needles, focusing on how ecophysiological strategies─reflected by δC, δO, leaf mass per area, and leaf dry matter content-mediated Hg accumulation. Results showed that deciduous leaves exhibited higher total Hg (THg) concentrations and accumulation rates (THg), which were 85.

Fast-Relaxing Hydrogels Promote Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cell Aggressiveness through Integrin β1 Signaling.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) exhibiting high stiffness and fast stress relaxation. In this work, gelatin-based viscoelastic hydrogels were developed to mimic the compositions, stiffness, and fast stress relaxation of PDAC tissues. The hydrogels were cross-linked by gelatin-norbornene-boronic acid (GelNB-BA), thiolated macromers, and a 1,2-diol-containing linear synthetic polymer PHD.

Large-bore aspiration thrombectomy for the treatment of pulmonary embolism in octogenarians.

Purpose: To evaluate outcomes in patients aged ≥ 80 years following large-bore aspiration thrombectomy (LBAT) for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials And Methods: All patients ≥ 80 years of age with PE treated via LBAT at a single center were analyzed from September 2019 - August 2024. This included the octogenarian subgroup from a recently published retrospective analysis assessing all PE patients treated with LBAT at our center between September 2019 and January 2023.

How Polyproline Type II Conformation at P Residues Influences the Success of Proline-Based Peptidyl Inhibitors Against Coronavirus Main Protease.

In the wake of the pandemic, peptidyl protease inhibitors with Pro-based rigid Leu mimetics at the P position have emerged as potent drug candidates against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. This success is intuitively attributed to the enhanced hydrophobic interactions and rigidity of Pro-based rigid Leu mimetics in the literature. However, the tertiary amide of proline P derivatives, which hinders the formation of a critical hydrogen bond with the enzyme active site, and the constrained PP conformation, which contradicts the protease preferred β-strand conformation, represent two overlooked disadvantages associated with these inhibitors over traditional inhibitors and, theoretically, should adversely affect their potency.

Experiences of sexual and reproductive health screening and counseling in the clinical setting among adolescents and young adults with rheumatic disease.

Background: Our objective was to describe differences among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with rheumatic disease using teratogens compared to non-users in receipt of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) counseling, teratogenicity knowledge, perceived importance of SRH topics, and preferences around counseling.

Methods: AYAs ages 14-23 years and assigned female at birth were recruited from pediatric rheumatology clinics at a Midwest tertiary care program. Participants completed a one-time online survey assessing SRH.

Hypusinated and unhypusinated isoforms of the translation factor eIF5A exert distinct effects in models of pancreas development and function.

Hypusination of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is essential for its role in translation elongation and termination. Although the function of hypusinated eIF5A (eIF5A) in cellular proliferation is well-characterized, the role of its unhypusinated form (eIF5A) remains unclear. We hypothesized that eIF5A exerts independent, negative effects on cellular replication and metabolism, distinct from the loss of eIF5A.

Characterization of Tumor Antigens from Multi-omics Data: Computational Approaches and Resources.

Tumor-specific antigens, also known as neoantigens, have potential utility in anti-cancer immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), neoantigen-specific T cell receptor-engineered T (TCR-T), chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T), and therapeutic cancer vaccines (TCVs). After recognizing presented neoantigens, the immune system becomes activated and triggers the death of tumor cells. Neoantigens may be derived from multiple origins, including somatic mutations (single nucleotide variants, insertion/deletions, and gene fusions), circular RNAs, alternative splicing, RNA editing, and polymorphic microbiome.

Dynamic single cell transcriptomics defines kidney FGF23/KL bioactivity and novel segment-specific inflammatory targets.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) via its coreceptor αKlotho (KL) provides critical control of phosphate metabolism, which is altered in both rare and very common syndromes. However, the spatial-temporal mechanisms dictating kidney FGF23 functions remain poorly understood. Thus, developing approaches to modify specific FGF23-dictated pathways has proven problematic.

Characterization and Targeting of the Main Drivers of Elective Imaging Utilization: A Cross-sectional Study Applying Conjoint Analysis.

Objective: To characterize patient and referring physician preferences when selecting where to have elective imaging performed METHODS: In this Institutional Research Board approved survey-based study, online surveys were completed by 393 patients who had recently had a non-contrast MRI of the shoulder, lumbar spine, or knee within the past 2 years and 168 physicians who had ordered at least 12 such MRIs in the past year. The survey data included explicit questions about preferences as well as a set of conjoint choice screens. Conjoint analysis utilized a logistic model estimated using maximum likelihood estimation.

Assessing psychosocial risk factors in children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Background: Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) are a minoritized and marginalized community that have disparate health outcomes as a result of systemic racism and disease-related stigma. The purpose of this study was to determine the psychosocial risk factors for families caring for children with SCD at a pediatric SCD center through use of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), a validated caregiver-report screener.

Methods: The PAT was administered annually during routine clinical visits and scored by the SCD Social Worker to provide tailored resources to families.

Unraveling calcium dysregulation and autoimmunity in immune mediated rippling muscle disease.

Rippling Muscle Disease (RMD) is a rare skeletal myopathy characterized by abnormal muscular excitability manifesting with wave-like muscle contractions and percussion-induced muscle mounding. Hereditary RMD is associated with caveolin-3 or cavin-1 mutations. Recently, we identified cavin 4 autoantibodies as a biomarker of immune-mediated RMD (iRMD), though the underlying disease-mechanisms remain poorly understood.