Integrin-activating protein Invasin sustains long-term expansion of primary epithelial cells as 2D organoid sheets.

Matrigel/BME, a basement membrane-like preparation, supports long-term growth of epithelial 3D organoids from adult stem cells [T. Sato , , 262-265 (2009); T. Sato , , 1762-1772 (2011)].

Repurposing Licensed Drugs with Activity Against Epstein-Barr Virus for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Approach.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as a necessary factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may also be a driver of disease activity. Although it is not clear whether ongoing viral replication is the driver for MS pathology, MS researchers have considered the prospect of using drugs with potential efficacy against EBV in the treatment of MS. We have undertaken scientific and lived experience expert panel reviews to shortlist existing licensed therapies that could be used in later-stage clinical trials in MS.

A Parametric study on the effects of winglet cant angle on wing aerodynamics and aeroacoustics.

The use of winglet devices is an efficient technique for enhancing aerodynamic performance. This study investigates the effects of winglet cant angles on both the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of a commercial wing, comparing them to other significant parameters using a parametric analysis. A Full Factorial Design method is employed to generate a matrix of experiments, facilitating a detailed exploration of flow physics, with lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) and the integral of Acoustic Power Level (APL) as the primary representatives of aerodynamic and acoustic performance, respectively.

Coexpression of D-Allulose 3-Epimerase and L-Rhamnose Isomerase in through a Dual Promoter Enables High-Level Biosynthesis of D-Allose from D-Fructose in One Pot.

D-Allose, a rare sugar, has gained significant attention not only as a low-calorie sweetener but also for its anticancer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmaceutical properties. Despite its potential, achieving high-level biosynthesis of D-allose remains challenging due to inefficient biocatalysts, low conversion rates, and the high cost of substrates. Here, we explored the food-grade coexpression of D-allulose 3-epimerase (Bp-DAE) and L-rhamnose isomerase (BsL-RI) within a single cell using WB800N as the host.

Measuring Residents' Competence in Chest Tube Insertion on Thiel-Embalmed Bodies: A Validity Study.

Introduction: Chest tube insertions (CTIs) have a high complication rate, prompting the training of technical skills in simulated settings. However, assessment tools require validity evidence prior to their implementation. This study aimed to collect validity evidence for assessment of technical skills in CTI on Thiel-embalmed human bodies.

Artificial Doctors: Performance of Chatbots as a Tool for Patient Education on Keratoconus.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the answers given by ChatGPT, Bard, and Copilot and that obtained from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) website to patient-written questions related to keratoconus in terms of accuracy, understandability, actionability, and readability to find out whether chatbots can be used in patient education.

Methods: Twenty patient-written questions obtained from the AAO website related to keratoconus were asked to ChatGPT, Bard, and Copilot. Two ophthalmologists independently assessed the answers obtained from chatbots and the AAO website in terms of accuracy, understandability, and actionability according to the Structure of Observed Learning Outcome taxonomy, Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool-Understandability, and Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool-Actionability tests, respectively.

Racism and Postpartum Blood Pressure in a Multiethnic Prospective Cohort.

Background: Postpartum hypertension is a key factor in racial-ethnic inequities in maternal mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that experiences of racism, both structural and interpersonal, may contribute to disparities. We examined associations between gendered racial microaggressions (GRMs) during obstetric care with postpartum blood pressure (BP).

Disparities in infertility workup costs across the United States.

Objective: To investigate cost disparities of infertility diagnostic tests across the United States.

Design: Cross-sectional study analyzing costs for recommended infertility diagnostic tests, including hormone tests (follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and progesterone), semen analysis, transvaginal ultrasound, and hysterosalpingogram. Data were sourced from consumer cost claims repositories for five most populous cities per state, categorized into four regions (Midwest, South, West, and Northeast) as per US Census Bureau classifications.

Recognition and Differentiation of Baker Lesions in Lateral Epicondylitis During Arthroscopic Debridement.

Recognition of lateral capsular disruptions (Baker lesions) that are commonly identified during arthroscopic lateral epicondylitis release is important because understanding that these lesions exist-and the variation of their arthroscopic appearance-is important. In addition, identifying Baker lesions serves as evidence supporting lateral epicondylitis as the cause of symptoms. The purposes of this article are to describe the classification system and to arthroscopically show examples of each lesion type, as well as to describe our technique for arthroscopic lateral epicondylitis release.

Predicting RNA-seq coverage from DNA sequence as a unifying model of gene regulation.

Sequence-based machine-learning models trained on genomics data improve genetic variant interpretation by providing functional predictions describing their impact on the cis-regulatory code. However, current tools do not predict RNA-seq expression profiles because of modeling challenges. Here, we introduce Borzoi, a model that learns to predict cell-type-specific and tissue-specific RNA-seq coverage from DNA sequence.

Toward expert-level medical question answering with large language models.

Large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in medical question answering, with Med-PaLM being the first to exceed a 'passing' score in United States Medical Licensing Examination style questions. However, challenges remain in long-form medical question answering and handling real-world workflows. Here, we present Med-PaLM 2, which bridges these gaps with a combination of base LLM improvements, medical domain fine-tuning and new strategies for improving reasoning and grounding through ensemble refinement and chain of retrieval.

Milk feeding and calf housing practices on British Columbia dairy farms.

Decades of research have helped inform practices on how to care for calves, but little is known about how well these practices are adopted on commercial dairy farms. The primary aim of this study was to describe rearing practices of dairy calves in British Columbia, Canada. Measures of calf growth are sometimes used to assess success in calf rearing, so a secondary aim was to describe methods used to assess calf growth on these farms.

Talquetamab plus Teclistamab in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Talquetamab (anti-G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D) and teclistamab (anti-B-cell maturation antigen) are bispecific antibodies that activate T cells by targeting CD3 and that have been approved for the treatment of triple-class-exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

Methods: We conducted a phase 1b-2 study of talquetamab plus teclistamab in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In phase 1, we investigated five dose levels in a dose-escalation study.

Development and reproduction of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on the 3 artificial diets in the laboratory.

Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a major pest of many fruit trees. The large-scale artificial propagation technology of the insect is the basis for the field application of the sterile insect technique and biological control products based on host mass reproduction. However, a low-cost diet with easily accessible materials remains lacking.

Longitudinal association between nailfold capillaroscopy and incident interstitial lung disease: A EUSTAR database analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate (1) the association between nailfold capillaroscopy pattern and 5-year risk for incident interstitial lung disease and (2) the association between transition in nailfold capillaroscopy pattern and risk of incident interstitial lung disease.

Methods: Data of adult patients from the EUSTAR database fulfilling the ACR-EULAR criteria with a disease duration ⩽5 years, having a scleroderma pattern at nailfold capillaroscopy with high-resolution computed tomography confirmed absence of interstitial lung disease (i.e.

Virtual Reality High-Intensity Interval Training Exergaming Compared to Traditional High-Intensity Circuit Training Among Medical Students: Pilot Crossover Study.

Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) high-intensity interval training (HIIT) boxing protocol compared to traditional high-intensity circuit training (HICT) in improving exercise motivation, engagement, and physiological responses among 30 healthy medical students.

Objective: The purpose was to compare the VR HIIT protocol, which involved using an Oculus Quest 2 for a futuristic exoskeleton game experience, with a traditional 12-exercise HICT.

Methods: In total, 30 medical students engaged in both VR HIIT, using an Oculus Quest 2 for a futuristic exoskeleton game experience, and a traditional 12-exercise HICT.

Effects of intraspecific hybridisation between the northern and the southern populations of the cabbage beetle, on life-history traits.

Significant differences in life-history traits between the southern population (S) and northern (N) population of the cabbage beetle make it an excellent model for studying inheritance in this insect. In the present study, we observed the life-history traits of pure strains, F, reciprocal backcross and reciprocal F progeny under a photoperiod of L:D 15:9 h at 22 °C. The S population had shorter larval development time, longer pupal time, higher body weight, growth rate and weight loss compared with the N population.

Sex Differences in Participation Restriction in Social Activities Among Older Stroke Survivors: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Women experience more poststroke physical activity limitations, but sex differences in social activity participation, an important patient-reported outcome for stroke recovery, remain uncertain.

Methods: Incident stroke survivors aged ≥65 years were identified from the US NHATS (National Health and Aging Trends Study), 2011-2022. Participants were asked to report restricted participation in the past month in 2 formal activities (religious services and clubs/classes) and 2 informal activities (visiting friends/family and going out for enjoyment) in the year of stroke onset.

Single-Cell Analysis in Cerebrovascular Research: Primed for Breakthroughs and Clinical Impact.

Data generated using single-cell RNA-sequencing has the potential to transform understanding of the cerebral circulation and advance clinical care. However, the high volume of data, sometimes generated and presented without proper pathophysiological context, can be difficult to interpret and integrate into current understanding of the cerebral circulation and its disorders. Furthermore, heterogeneity in the representation of brain regions and vascular segments makes it difficult to compare results across studies.

Impact of Repeated Variant Exposures on Cellular and Humoral Immunogenicity Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines.

Background/objectives: The emergence of the Omicron variant has complicated COVID-19 control and prompted vaccine updates. Recent studies have shown that a fourth dose significantly protects against infection and severe disease, though long-term immunity data remain limited. This study aimed to assess Anti-S-RBD antibodies and interferon-γ levels in healthcare workers 12 months after receiving bivalent Original/Omicron BA.

Microfluidic-Chip-Based Formulation and In Vivo Evaluations of Squalene Oil Emulsion Adjuvants for Subunit Vaccines.

Background: Adjuvants play a crucial role in improving the immunogenicity of various antigens in vaccines. Squalene-in-water emulsions are clinically established vaccine adjuvants that improve immune responses, particularly during a pandemic. Current manufacturing processes for these emulsion adjuvants include microfluidizers and homogenizers and these processes have been used to produce emulsion adjuvants to meet global demands during a pandemic.

Associations Between Added Sugars Intake from Various Food and Beverage Sources and Diet Quality Among the U.S. Population.

A diet high in added sugars has been linked to poor diet quality; however, little is known about specific sources of added sugars and their association with diet quality. This study examined associations between added sugars intake from specific food and beverage sources and diet quality, as indicated by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2020 score, among the U.S.

Individual Pharmacotherapy Management (IPM-II) for Patient and Drug Safety in Polypharmacy via Clinical Electronic Health Record Is Associated with Significant Fall Prevention.

Background/objectives: Falls and fractures are emerging as a near-pandemic and major global health concern, placing an enormous burden on ageing patients and public health economies. Despite the high risk of polypharmacy in the elderly patients, falls are usually attributed to age-related changes. For the "Individual Pharmacotherapy Management (IPM)" established at the University Hospital Halle, the IPM medication adjustments and their association with in-hospital fall prevention were analysed.

Cytotoxic Natural Products from (Thunb. ex L.) D.Don.

is a commercially important tree native to Japan. The tree belongs to the ancient genus and has found important uses as a medicinal plant, as well as a main source of timber in Japan. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in discovering extended uses of as a source of novel bioactive natural products with potential applications as lead compounds for active principles of future drugs.

Microbubble-Protected Oncolytic Virotherapy Targeted by Sonoporation Induces Tumor Necrosis and T-Lymphocyte Infiltration in Humanized Mice Bearing Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Oncolytic virotherapy has shown great promise in mediating targeted tumor destruction through tumor-selective replication and induction of anti-tumor immunity; however, obstacles remain for virus candidates to reach the clinic. These include avoiding neutralizing antibodies, preventing stimulation of the adaptive immune response during intravenous administration, and inducing sufficient apoptosis and immune activation so that the body's defense can work to eradicate systemic disease. We have developed a co-formulation of oncolytic viruses (OVs) with Imagent lipid-encapsulated, perfluorocarbon microbubbles (MBs) to protect the OVs from the innate and adaptive immune system.