Machine Learning-Based Estimation of Hoarseness Severity Using Acoustic Signals Recorded During High-Speed Videoendoscopy.

Objectives: This study investigates the use of sustained phonations recorded during high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) for machine learning-based assessment of hoarseness severity (H). The performance of this approach is compared with conventional recordings obtained during voice therapy to evaluate key differences and limitations of HSV-derived acoustic recordings.

Methods: A database of 617 voice recordings with a duration of 250 ms was gathered during HSV examination (HS).

A Prospective Non-interventional Real-World Study of cabozantinib in Pretreated Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Refractory to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Targeted Therapy (CASSIOPE).

Background: There is a lack of published data on real-world cabozantinib use in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy.

Methods: CASSIOPE was a real-world, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional postauthorization safety study of cabozantinib in adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in Europe following prior VEGF-targeted treatment (NCT03419572). Endpoints included cabozantinib utilization (dose modifications due to adverse events [AEs; primary endpoint], dose, dose modifications, and treatment duration), safety, effectiveness (progression-free survival [PFS], overall survival [OS], best overall response [BOR]), and healthcare resource utilization.

[Arthroscopic removal of the fragmented medial coronoid process in dogs - Evaluation of treatment results with special reference to postoperative computed tomography and residual particles].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the treatment success of dogs with medial coronoid disease (here: Fragmented Coronoid Process [FCP]) following arthroscopically performed subtotal coronoidectomy by the use of subjective and objective gait analysis and the evaluation of osteoarthritis progression in addition to their correlation with the findings from postoperative computed tomography. In particular, the clinical relevance of residual particles remaining postoperatively was to be evaluated.

Material And Methods: Thirty elbows from 24 dogs of different breeds were examined clinically, orthopedically, using gait analysis as well as radiographically at least 6 months after unilateral or bilateral subtotal coronoidectomy.

Pareto Optimization and Tuning of a Laser Wakefield Accelerator.

Optimization of accelerator performance parameters is limited by numerous trade-offs, and finding the appropriate balance between optimization goals for an unknown system is challenging to achieve. Here, we show that multiobjective Bayesian optimization can map the solution space of a laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA) in a very sample-efficient way. We observe that there exists a wide range of Pareto-optimal solutions that trade beam energy versus charge at similar laser-to-beam efficiency.

Kinematic Analysis of Pelvic and Lower Limb Joints during Stand-to-sit Movement in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: It is crucial to investigate the daily functions commonly utilized by individuals with low back pain (LBP) due to their implications for recurrence and chronicity. Stand-to-sit (StTS) task is one of the more repetitive functions in human daily life. This study aims to evaluate pelvic and lower limb joint kinematics during the StTS task in individuals with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP) compared to a healthy control group.

A patient empowerment program for primary immunodeficiency improves quality of life in children and adolescents.

To assess a patient empowerment program (PEP) for children/adolescents with primary immunodeficiency (PID) on IgG replacement therapy regarding quality of life (QoL) in patients and proxy. Health-related QoL was assessed using KIDSCREEN-27 and DISABKIDS-37 before and 6 months after PID-PEP kids in 19 children/adolescents and their parents. The following three dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-27 significantly increased in children/adolescents after PID-PEP kids as compared with baseline: Psychological Well-Being, Parents & Autonomy and School Environment.

Snapshot imaging of ultrashort electron bunches.

New measurements combine spatial and temporal information from optical transition radiation to estimate the three-dimensional structure of electron bunches from a laser wakefield accelerator.

YajC, a predicted membrane protein, promotes biofilm formation and in a rat endocarditis model.

Biofilm formation is a critical step in the pathogenesis of difficult-to-treat Gram-positive bacterial infections. We identified that YajC, a conserved membrane protein in bacteria, plays a role in biofilm formation of the clinically relevant strain E1162. Deletion of conferred significantly impaired biofilm formation and was attenuated in a rat endocarditis model.

Targeting MYC effector functions in pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the ATPase RUVBL1/2.

Objective: The hallmark oncogene MYC drives the progression of most tumours, but direct inhibition of MYC by a small-molecule drug has not reached clinical testing. MYC is a transcription factor that depends on several binding partners to function. We therefore explored the possibility of targeting MYC via its interactome in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

ARTS and small-molecule ARTS mimetics upregulate p53 levels by promoting the degradation of XIAP.

Mutations resulting in decreased activity of p53 tumor suppressor protein promote tumorigenesis. P53 protein levels are tightly regulated through the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS). Several E3 ligases were shown to regulate p53 stability, including MDM2.

In Silico Prediction of Functional SNPs Interrupting Antioxidant Defense Genes in Relation to COVID-19 Progression.

The excessive production of reactive oxygen species and weakening of antioxidant defense system play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Extensive differences observed among individuals in terms of affliction with cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, bacterial, and viral infections, as well as response to treatments can be partly due to their genomic variations. In this work, we attempted to predict the effect of SNPs of the key genes of antioxidant defense system on their structure, function, and expression in relation to COVID-19 pathogenesis using in silico tools.

Nutritional status in patients with chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis is related to disease conditions and not dietary habits.

Malnutrition is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Inadequate food intake is considered a relevant driver of malnutrition in both entities. However, the contribution of habitual diet to impaired nutritional status is unclear.

Meta-analysis of microarray data to determine gene indicators involved in cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 22%. Cisplatin is one of the standard first-line chemotherapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its efficacy is often limited by the development of resistance. Despite extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance, the underlying causes remain elusive and complex.

Pyrene fluorescence in 2,7-di(4-phenylethynyl)pyrene-bridged bis(alkenylruthenium) complexes.

Complexes PyrDPE-RuCl and PyrDPE-Ruacac with a π-extended 2,7-di(4-phenylethynyl)pyrene linker undergo simultaneous one-electron oxidations of their {Ru}-styryl entities. The absence of an intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) band at intermediate stages, where the mixed-valent, singly oxidized radical cation is present, and spin density confinement to the terminal styryl ruthenium site(s) are tokens of a lack of electronic coupling between the {Ru} entities across the π-conjugated linker. The close similarity of the linker-based π → π* bands in the complexes and the free ligand and their insensitivity towards oxidations at the terminal sites indicate that the central pyrenyl fluorophore is electronically decoupled from the electron-rich {Ru}-styryl termini.

Patients' Trust in Artificial Intelligence-based Decision-making for Localized Prostate Cancer: Results from a Prospective Trial.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve treatment outcomes. However, AI integration into clinical workflows and patient perspectives remain unclear.

Objective: To determine patients' trust in AI and their perception of urologists relying on AI, and future diagnostic and therapeutic AI applications for patients.

Hyper-Cryptic radiation of a tropical montane plant lineage.

Species are seen as the fundamental unit of biotic diversity, and thus their delimitation is crucial for defining measures for diversity assessments and studying evolution. Differences between species have traditionally been associated with variation in morphology. And yet, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages does not necessarily involve morphological differences.

Bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) is associated with endothelial dysfunction in infants and children with complex congenital heart disease undergoing open-heart surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objectives: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are at risk for systemic inflammation leading to endothelial dysfunction associated with increased morbidity. Bioactive adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) is a peptide regulating vascular tone and endothelial permeability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of plasma bio-ADM in this patient cohort and its role in capillary leak.

Glucocorticoids regulate lipid mediator networks by reciprocal modulation of 15-lipoxygenase isoforms affecting inflammation resolution.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are potent anti-inflammatory agents, broadly used to treat acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, e.g., critically ill COVID-19 patients or patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

Pavement cells distinguish touch from letting go.

A micro-cantilever technique applied to individual leaf epidermis cells of intact Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum synthesizing genetically encoded calcium indicators (R-GECO1 and GCaMP3) revealed that compressive forces induced local calcium peaks that preceded delayed, slowly moving calcium waves. Releasing the force evoked significantly faster calcium waves. Slow waves were also triggered by increased turgor and fast waves by turgor drops in pressure probe tests.