Adult-onset dysphagia.

Background: Dysphagia, characterised by a difficulty in swallowing, stems from various causes and is frequently encountered in general practice. The rise in dysphagia in Australia's ageing population necessitates proper management to prevent complications. Recognising and managing dysphagia improves outcomes and quality of life, and reduces secondary complications.

GaAs Solar Cells Grown Directly on V-Groove Si Substrates.

The direct epitaxial growth of high-quality III-V semiconductors on Si is a challenging materials science problem with a number of applications in optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells and on-chip lasers. We report the reduction of dislocation density in GaAs solar cells grown directly on nanopatterned V-groove Si substrates by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy. Starting from a template of GaP on V-groove Si, we achieved a low threading dislocation density (TDD) of 3 × 10 cm in the GaAs by performing thermal cycle annealing of the GaAs followed by growth of InGaAs dislocation filter layers.

Stratified Medicine Paediatrics: Cell free DNA and serial tumour sequencing identifies subtype specific cancer evolution and epigenetic states.

We profiled a large heterogenous cohort of matched diagnostic-relapse tumour tissue and paired plasma-derived cell free DNA (cfDNA) from patients with relapsed and progressive solid tumours of childhood. Tissue and cfDNA sequencing results were concordant, with a wider spectrum of mutant alleles and higher degree of intra-tumour heterogeneity captured by the latter, if sufficient circulating tumour-derived DNA (ctDNA) was present. Serial tumour sequencing identified putative drivers of relapse, with alterations in epigenetic drivers being a common feature.

An Evaluation of Primary Care Clinician Referrals for Behavioral Weight Loss Counseling.

Introduction/objectives: In the context of enrolling patients from primary care practices into a weight loss research study, this study describes the percentage of patients primary care clinicians (PCCs) considered appropriate for referral and study participation rates among those referred.

Methods: An electronic health record review identified 5322 patients aged 18 to 75 years with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m as eligible for review by community, attending, and resident PCCs for referral to a weight loss study. Referrals and patient interest in participating in the study are reported overall and by PCC type.

The Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (K4) Contributes to Active Hearing in .

The full complement of ion channels which influence insect auditory mechanotransduction and the mechanisms by which their influence is exerted remain unclear. (K4), a family member encoding voltage-gated potassium channels in , has been shown to localize to dendrites in some neuron types, suggesting the potential role of in hearing, including mechanotransduction. A GFP trap was used to visualize the localization of the channel in Johnston's organ neurons responsible for hearing in the antenna.

Relationship Between Severity of Ischemia and Coronary Artery Disease for Different Stress Test Modalities in the ISCHEMIA Trial.

Background: The relationship between the extent and severity of stress-induced ischemia and the extent and severity of anatomic coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with obstructive CAD is multifactorial and includes the intensity of stress achieved, type of testing used, presence and extent of prior infarction, collateral blood flow, plaque characteristics, microvascular disease, coronary vasomotor tone, and genetic factors. Among chronic coronary disease participants with site-determined moderate or severe ischemia, we investigated associations between ischemia severity on stress testing and the extent of CAD on coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods: Clinically indicated stress testing included nuclear imaging, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, or nonimaging exercise tolerance test.

Predictors of failure of conservative management of cholecystitis: a systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: While emergency cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment for acute cholecystitis, conservative management can be used as a bridge to definitive surgical management in situations where emergency surgical services are limited. The objective of this systematic review is to identify factors associated with conservative management failure as defined as either failed resolution of symptoms on initial presentation, or the recurrence of symptoms whilst awaiting an elective cholecystectomy. This study aims to allow clinicians to make evidence-based recommendations for conservative versus operative management.

Dose reduction and discontinuation of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for people with psoriatic arthritis in remission or low disease activity.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the benefits and harms of dose reduction or discontinuation of biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in adults with psoriatic arthritis who are in remission or a low disease activity state.

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Tumor Biopsies Show Heterogeneity in Gene Expression Profiles, Genetic Subtypes, and in vitro Drug Sensitivity to Kinase Inhibitors.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is clinically challenging due to its location and small biopsy size, leading to a lack of comprehensive molecular and biologic description. We previously demonstrated that 91% of PCNSL belong to the activated B-cell-like (ABC) molecular subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here we investigated the expression of 739 cancer related genes in HIV (-) patients using NanoString digital gene expression profiling in 25 ABC-PCNSL and 43 ABC-systemic DLBCL, all tumors were EBV (-).

Biological sex, microglial signaling pathways, and radiation exposure shape cortical proteomic profiles and behavior in mice.

Patients receiving cranial radiation therapy experience tissue damage and cognitive deficits that severely decrease their quality of life. Experiments in rodent models show that these adverse neurological effects are in part due to functional changes in microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. Increasing evidence suggests that experimental manipulation of microglial signaling can regulate radiation-induced changes in the brain and behavior.

Cholic-Acid Derived, Guanidine-Functionalized Polymers as Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Agents.

In this study, we report the design of a new guanylated, cholic-acid-based monomer (GM) to combat antimicrobial resistance. The microbial activity stems from the interfacial amphiphilicity of cholic acid, while guanidine shows a strong association with phosphate, which promotes binding to membrane phospholipids. The monomer showed strong antimicrobial activity; however, surprisingly, homopolymers synthesized by photoiniferter reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of GM completely lost their activity likely due to the conformation of the polymer.

Systematic Evaluation of Lower Urinary Tract Sensations to Improve Management of LUTS: ICI-RS 2024.

Aims: Lower urinary tract (LUT) sensations form an essential part of diagnostic criteria for many LUT symptoms, additionally LUT sensations are used to evaluate the effectivity of therapeutic interventions. The accurate measurement of LUT sensations, however, is severely hampered by the subjective nature of these sensations.

Methods: This paper summarizes the discussions from the 2024 meeting of the International Consultation for Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS 2024) regarding systematic evaluations of LUT sensations and the design of more objective tools to measure these.

Contextual factors influencing bubble continuous positive airway pressure implementation for paediatric respiratory distress in low-income and middle-income countries: a realist review.

Background: Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is a low-cost, non-invasive respiratory support therapy for children with respiratory distress, but its effectiveness is dependent on the context. We aimed to understand contextual factors influencing bCPAP implementation for children aged 1-59 months in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to develop a theory explaining how these factors influence implementation outcomes.

Methods: In this realist review, we generated an initial programme theory comprising candidate context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) via review of key references and team discussion.

Associations between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hormone levels, major depression features and antidepressant effects of ketamine.

Background: Subanesthetic doses of (R,S)-ketamine (ketamine) have demonstrated rapid and robust antidepressant effects in individuals with depression. However, individual variability in response to ketamine exists, and current biomarkers of ketamine treatment response are not entirely understood. Preclinical evidence suggests a link between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, a determinant of the stress response system, and ketamine's efficacy in stressed mice exhibiting enhanced antidepressant responses.

Ownership of genomic data.

This article considers claims to ownership over genomic data and implications for data sharing and research. There are various arguments for vesting ownership in individuals, but little supporting authority. However, policies such as privacy law and informed consent provide alternative methods of protecting individuals.

Cretaceous coastal mountain building and potential impacts on climate change in East Asia.

Crustal thickness and elevation variations control mountain building and climate change at convergent margins. As an archetypal Andean-type convergent margin, eastern Asia preserves voluminous magmas ideal for quantifying these processes and their impacts on climate. Here, we use Sr/Y and Ce/Y proxies to show that the crust experienced alternating thickening and thinning during the Late Mesozoic.

Development and refinement of patient care recommendations in brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer using nominal group technique workshops.

Purpose: Patient experiences of brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) are widely variable, with reports of difficult and traumatic experiences and aspects of care requiring improvement. The aim of this study was to develop patient care recommendations and consult with key stakeholders to review, refine and prioritise recommendations.

Methods: Phase 1: Patient care recommendations were developed from qualitative exploratory study data.

Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in traumatic solid organ injuries in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a significant contributor to pediatric mortality, often causing liver and spleen injuries. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), the gold standard for diagnosing solid organ injury, poses radiation risks to children. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may be a promising alternative imaging modality.

Birth characteristics and the risk of childhood brain tumors: A case-control study in Ontario, Canada.

Various birth characteristics may influence healthy childhood development, including the risk of developing childhood brain tumors (CBTs). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between delivery methods, obstetric history, and birth anthropometrics with the risk of CBTs. This study used data from the Childhood Brain Tumour Epidemiology Study of Ontario (CBREO) which included children 0-15 years of age and newly diagnosed with CBTs from 1997 to 2003.

What do we really know about the external urethral sphincter?

The external urethral sphincter (EUS), composed of skeletal muscle, along with a smooth muscle-lined internal urethral sphincter (IUS), have crucial roles in maintaining continence during bladder filling and facilitating urine flow during voiding. Disruption of this complex activity has profound consequences on normal lower urinary tract function during the micturition cycle. However, relatively little is known about the normal and pathological functions of these particular muscle types, how activity can be manipulated and regulated and why, for example, loss of EUS function and sarcopenia is associated with ageing.

A hypercubic Mk model framework for capturing reversibility in disease, cancer, and evolutionary accumulation modelling.

Motivation: Accumulation models, where a system progressively acquires binary features over time, are common in the study of cancer progression, evolutionary biology, and other fields. Many approaches have been developed to infer the accumulation pathways by which features (e.g.