A Protocol for GC-MS Profiling of Chiral Secondary Amino Acids.

A simple analytical workflow is described for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS)-based chiral profiling of secondary amino acids (AAs) in biological matrices. The sample preparation is carried out directly in aqueous biological sample extracts and involves in situ heptafluorobutyl chloroformate (HFBCF) derivatization-liquid-liquid microextraction of nonpolar products into hexane phase followed by subsequent formation of the corresponding methylamides from the HFB esters by direct treatment with methylamine reagent solution. The (O, N) HFB-butoxycarbonyl-methylamide AA products (HFBOC-MA) are separated on a Chirasil-L-Val capillary column and quantitatively measured by GC-MS operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode.

Dual Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensors Based on Chiral Carbon Dots for the Sensitive and Specific Detection of Arginine.

Arginine (Arg) is involved in tissue metabolism and regulates the immune function; thereby, achieving the detection of Arg is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Herein, dual ratiometric fluorescence sensors were prepared with the blue emission of levorotatory/dextrorotatory carbon dots (CDs) and the red emission of porphyrin (L/D-CDs-PP) for the sensitive and portable detection of Arg. Interestingly, L-CDs-PP and D-CDs-PP displayed not only the dual emission peaks at 493 and 650 nm but also different response modes to Arg; thus, they could serve as dual ratiometric fluorescence sensors to achieve the accurate and reliable detection of Arg, with the detection limit of 23.

Validation Status of Electronic Sphygmomanometers in China: A National Survey.

Background: Although the information on the validation status of electronic sphygmomanometer (ES) devices in use in health care institutions and households is much more clinically relevant than that of ES models available on the market, it remains insufficient.

Methods: A national survey was conducted across all administrative regions of mainland China to assess the validation status of ESs. Fifty-eight cities were selected with stratification by municipality, provincial capital, and other cities, and health care institutions and households in each city were chosen by convenience to identify ES devices in use according to the study protocol.

Global Perspectives on Returning Genetic Research Results in Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: In the era of precision medicine, genetic test results have become increasingly relevant in the care of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). While large research consortia are performing widespread research genetic testing to accelerate discoveries, debate continues about whether, and to what extent, the results should be returned to patients. Ethically, it is imperative to keep participants informed, especially when findings are potentially actionable.

Pipeline for development of acylated peptide based CGRP receptor antagonist with extended half-life for migraine treatment.

Migraine is a debilitating headache disorder. The disease has neurovascular origin and migraine attacks can be elicited by vasodilative neuropeptides such as alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide (αCGRP). Antagonizing CGRP actions in migraine patients has proven clinically efficient.

Virtual Monitoring Technician Performance in High-Fidelity Simulations of Remote Patient Monitoring: An Exploratory Study.

Introduction: Virtual Monitor Technicians (VMTs) are crucial in remotely monitoring inpatient telemetry. However, little is known about VMT workload and intratask performance changes, and their potential impact on patient safety. This exploratory study used a high-fidelity simulation aimed to evaluate VMTs' workload and performance changes over time in telemetry monitoring and identify future research directions for performance improvement.

Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon.

Background: Globally, healthcare institutions have seen a marked rise in workplace violence (WPV), especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began, affecting primarily acute care and emergency departments (EDs). At the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada, WPV incidents in EDs jumped 169% from 0.43 to 1.

Investigating the molecular mechanisms of Jiangu Decoction in treating type 2 diabetic osteoporosis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Type 2 diabetic osteoporosis (T2DOP) is a metabolic bone disease characterized by impaired bone structure and decreased bone strength in diabetic patients. Jiangu Decoction (JGD), a traditional Chinese poly-herbal formulation, has shown efficacy in mitigating osteoporosis (OP) and fractures caused by osteoporosis in diabetic patients in clinical trials. In addition, JGD has been proven to promote the proliferation of osteoblasts.

Dipyridamole Attenuates Experimental Periodontitis by Regulating M1 Macrophage Polarization via PKA/PKG Pathways.

Aim: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease initiated by dysbiosis of the local microbial community. As a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, dipyridamole features anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dipyridamole in an experimental rat model of periodontitis.

Noninteracting optimal and adaptive torque control using an online parameter estimation with help of polynomials in EKF for a PMSM.

This paper addresses a non-interacting torque control strategy to decouple the d- and q-axis dynamics of a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). The maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) method is used to determine the reference currents for the desired torque. To realize the noninteracting control, knowledge concerning the inductances L and L of the electrical machine is necessary.

Correction: Dekker, S.E.; Deng, L. Clinical Advances and Challenges in Targeting KRAS Mutations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. 2024, , 3885.

In the original publication [...

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.