Survival with Trastuzumab Emtansine in Residual HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Background: Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer with residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant systemic therapy have a high risk of recurrence and death. The primary analysis of KATHERINE, a phase 3, open-label trial, showed that the risk of invasive breast cancer or death was 50% lower with adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) than with trastuzumab alone.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer with residual invasive disease in the breast or axilla after neoadjuvant systemic treatment with taxane-based chemotherapy and trastuzumab to receive T-DM1 or trastuzumab for 14 cycles.

In vivo base editing extends lifespan of a humanized mouse model of prion disease.

Prion disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the misfolding of prion protein (PrP) encoded by the PRNP gene. While there is currently no cure for the disease, depleting PrP in the brain is an established strategy to prevent or stall templated misfolding of PrP. Here we developed in vivo cytosine and adenine base strategies delivered by adeno-associated viruses to permanently modify the PRNP locus to achieve PrP knockdown in the mouse brain.

Impact of phosphorus on the functional properties of extracellular polymeric substances recovered from sludge.

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) are ubiquitous in biological wastewater treatment (WWT) technologies like activated sludge systems, biofilm reactors, and granular sludge systems. EPS recovery from sludge potentially offers a high-value material for the industry. It can be utilized as a coating in slow-release fertilizers, as a bio-stimulant, as a binding agent in building materials, for the production of flame retarding materials, and more.

Comparative Analysis of Cosmetic and Functional Outcomes in Corneal Tattooing (Keratopigmentation) versus Ocular Prosthesis.

Objectives: This study compares the cosmetic and functional outcomes of corneal tattooing/keratopigmentation and ocular prostheses in rehabilitating disfigured eyes, focusing on esthetic appearance and emotional well-being.

Methods: Ninety-two patients were included: 48 received corneal tattooing, and 44 were fitted with ocular prostheses. Anophthalmic surgery was indicated for trauma, painful blind eye, endophthalmitis, tumor, and corneal ulcer, while corneal tattooing was performed for trauma, corneal ulcer, and endophthalmitis.

" " Exploring the Experiences of Black and Hispanic Parents following a Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosis.

 Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an important contributor to pediatric morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of CHD exist across racial and ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to share the experiences of Hispanic and Black families with CHD to better understand their needs.

Association between urate-lowering therapy and kidney failure in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Hyperuricemia is a hallmark of gout and a suspected risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the impact of urate-lowering therapy on CKD progression is subject to debate. The objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence of inappropriate urate-lowering therapy prescriptions and evaluate the association between urate-lowering therapy prescription and the progression of kidney disease in patients with CKD.

Understanding Perceptions of Hepatitis C and Its Management Among People with Experience of Incarceration in Quebec, Canada: A Qualitative Study Guided by the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disproportionately affects certain sub-populations, including people with experience of incarceration (PWEI). Little is known about how perceptions of HCV and treatment have changed despite simplifications in testing and treatment in carceral settings. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with people living with or having a history of HCV infection released from Quebec provincial prison.

Advanced Management of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism: Evidence-Based Strategies for Optimized Patient Care.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening medical condition caused by the thrombotic occlusion of one or more branches of the lung vasculature, which represents the third most common cause of cardiovascular mortality after myocardial infarction and stroke. PE treatment requires a tailored approach based on accurate risk stratification and personalized treatment decision-making. Anticoagulation is the cornerstone of PE management, yet patients at higher clinical risk may require more rapid reperfusion therapies.

Leveraging Large Language Models in Radiology Research: A Comprehensive User Guide.

Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have been increasingly integrated into radiology research, revolutionizing the research landscape. The Radiology Research Alliance (RRA) of the Association for Academic Radiology (AAR) has convened a Task Force to develop this guide to help radiology researchers responsibly adopt LLM technologies. LLMs can improve various phases of the research process by helping to automate literature reviews, generate research questions, analyze complex datasets, and draft manuscripts.

Racial and Ethnic (In)equity in Development of Power Through Place-Based Initiatives.

: Place-based initiatives (PBIs) invest in a geographic area and often build community power to improve well-being. However, there can be differences in results for different groups within a community. : In six communities, we measured differences in "power to" by race/ethnicity at two points for the first phase of the PBI Healthy Places North Carolina (HPNC) using five indicators: (1) representation in network of actors collaborating to improve health, (2) leadership attributes, (3) perceived change in attributes due to HPNC, (4) network centrality, and (5) perceived change in network ties due to HPNC.

Use of Different Synbiotic Strategies to Improve Gut Health in Dogs.

This study evaluated the effects of two synbiotic strategies on the intestinal microbiota and immune response in Beagle dogs. Twelve dogs were subjected to a crossover design with three diets: a control diet (CON), a diet supplemented with fiber and DSM 15544 (SYN), and the SYN diet with added porcine plasma (SYN+). Over three periods of seven weeks, fecal samples were analyzed for digestibility, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), fecal markers, and microbiome composition, while blood samples were assessed for biochemical parameters, leucocytic counts including CD4/CD8 lymphocyte populations, and phagocytic activity.

Retrospective-Prospective Observational Study of Italian Patients Treated in Melanoma Adjuvant Cohort MAP-MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP): Interim Analysis.

: Dabrafenib and trametinib (D + T) have been approved for the treatment of stage III melanoma with BRAF V600E V600K mutations in an adjuvant setting, based on the results from the COMBI-AD trial. To provide early access to this combination therapy prior to its commercial availability in Italy, a Managed Access Program (MAP) was run in Italy from June 2018 to December 2019. : The MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP) study is an Italian retrospective-prospective observational study that included patients who received at least one dose of D + T through the MAP.

Comparison of Performance for Cochlear-Implant Listeners Using Audio Processing Strategies Based on Short-Time Fast Fourier Transform or Spectral Feature Extraction.

Objectives: We compared sound quality and performance for a conventional cochlear-implant (CI) audio processing strategy based on short-time fast-Fourier transform (Crystalis) and an experimental strategy based on spectral feature extraction (SFE). In the latter, the more salient spectral features (acoustic events) were extracted and mapped into the CI stimulation electrodes. We hypothesized that (1) SFE would be superior to Crystalis because it can encode acoustic spectral features without the constraints imposed by the short-time fast-Fourier transform bin width, and (2) the potential benefit of SFE would be greater for CI users who have less neural cross-channel interactions.

Solid dispersions as effective curcumin vehicles to obtain k-carrageenan functional films for olive oil preservation.

Synthetic packaging materials offer cost efficiency and performance but pose environmental risks. This study explores sustainable alternatives by developing k-carrageenan (KC) films functionalized with curcumin, using solid dispersions (SDs) to improve curcumin's compatibility, addressing the challenge of incorporating hydrophobic functionalities into hydrophilic film matrices. Films with varying curcumin content (1-20 wt%; KC1-KC20) were compared to a base film without curcumin (KC0) regarding water solubility, vapor permeability, water contact angle, and tensile properties.

Perceived Health Concerns and Barriers to Care in Persons With Overweight and Obesity: A Patient Survey.

Objectives: To identify patient characteristics, health concerns, and barriers to care based on overweight or obesity.

Methods: A 50-question anonymous survey was administered to patients. Data were compared by body mass index (BMI).

Targeting the aminopeptidase ERAP enhances antitumor immunity by disrupting the NKG2A-HLA-E inhibitory checkpoint.

The aminopeptidase, endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), trims peptides for loading into major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I), and loss of this activity has broad effects on the MHC class I peptidome. Here, we investigated the impact of targeting ERAP1 in immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), as MHC class I interactions mediate both activating and inhibitory functions in antitumor immunity. Loss of ERAP sensitized mouse tumor models to ICB, and this sensitivity depended on CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells.

Inferior Clinical Outcomes Following Endoscopic Proximal Hamstring Repair in Patients With Chronic Degenerative Tears Despite the Use of Dermal Allograft Augmentation.

Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic proximal hamstring repair with and without dermal allograft augmentation.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on patients undergoing endoscopic proximal hamstring repair (PHR) and proximal hamstring repair with dermal allograft augmentation (PHR-A) by a single surgeon between 2016 and 2023. Augmentation was utilized for cases of chronic degenerative tears (≥6 weeks from the time of initial injury) where hamstring tissue quality was deemed poor intraoperatively.

Synthetic studies on the tetrasubstituted D-ring of cystobactamids lead to potent terephthalic acid antibiotics.

Novel scaffolds for broad-spectrum antibiotics are rare and in strong demand because of the increase in antimicrobial resistance. The cystobactamids, discovered from myxobacterial sources, have a unique hexapeptidic scaffold with five arylamides and possess potent, resistance-breaking properties. This study investigates the role of the central D-ring pharmacophore in cystobactamids, a para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) moiety that is additionally substituted by hydroxy and isopropoxy functions.

Protein Biomarkers of Adverse Clinical Features and Events in Sarcomeric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heterogeneous condition that can lead to atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death in many individuals but mild clinical impact in others. The mechanisms underlying this phenotypic heterogeneity are not well defined. The aim of this study was to use plasma proteomic profiling to help illuminate biomarkers that reflect or inform the heterogeneity observed in HCM.

Total Hip Replacement or Resistance Training for Severe Hip Osteoarthritis.

Background: Total hip replacement is routinely recommended for severe hip osteoarthritis, but data from randomized trials are lacking regarding comparison of the effectiveness of this procedure with that of nonsurgical treatment such as resistance training.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial to compare total hip replacement with resistance training in patients 50 years of age or older who had severe hip osteoarthritis and an indication for surgery. The primary outcome was the change in patient-reported hip pain and function from baseline to 6 months after the initiation of treatment, assessed with the use of the Oxford Hip Score (range, 0 to 48, with higher scores indicating less pain and better function).

Software-assisted structured reporting and semi-automated TNM classification for NSCLC staging in a multicenter proof of concept study.

Objectives: In this multi-center study, we proposed a structured reporting (SR) framework for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and developed a software-assisted tool to automatically translate image-based findings and annotations into TNM classifications. The aim of this study was to validate the software-assisted SR tool for NSCLC, assess its potential clinical impact in a proof-of-concept study, and evaluate current reporting standards in participating institutions.

Methods: A framework for SR and staging of NSCLC was developed in a multi-center collaboration.

Low-Field MRI for Dental Imaging in Pediatric Patients With Supernumerary and Ectopic Teeth: A Comparative Study of 0.55 T and Ultra-Low-Dose CT.

Objectives: This study sought to elucidate the diagnostic performance of 0.55 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for pediatric dental imaging, specifically in terms of the image quality (IQ) for detecting ectopic and/or supernumerary teeth, compared with routine ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULD-CT) of the jaw.

Materials And Methods: A total of 16 pediatric patients (mean age: 12.