Vessel strike encounter risk model informs mortality risk for endangered North Atlantic right whales along the United States east coast.

Vessel strikes are a critical threat to endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), significantly contributing to their elevated mortality. Accurate estimates of these mortality rates are essential for developing effective management strategies to aid in the species' recovery. This study enhances existing vessel strike models by incorporating detailed regional data on vessel traffic characteristics as well as whale distribution and behavior.

Roles of sensory receptors in non-sensory organs: the kidney and beyond.

Olfactory receptors (ORs), taste receptors and opsins are well-known for their pivotal roles in mediating the senses of smell, taste and sight, respectively. However, in the past two decades, research has shown that these sensory receptors also regulate physiological processes in a variety of non-sensory tissues. Although ORs, taste receptors and opsins have all been shown to have physiological roles beyond their traditional locations, most work in the kidney has focused on ORs.

Genome-wide association studies in lettuce reveal the interplay of seed age, color, and germination under high temperatures.

Thermoinhibition, the suppression of seed germination by high temperatures, is an adaptive trait that ensures successful seedling establishment in natural environments. While beneficial for wild plants, thermoinhibition can adversely affect crop yields due to uneven and reduced germination rates, particularly in the face of climate change. To understand the genetic basis of thermoinhibition, we conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of a diverse panel of Lactuca spp.

Characterizing cell-type spatial relationships across length scales in spatially resolved omics data.

Spatially resolved omics (SRO) technologies enable the identification of cell types while preserving their organization within tissues. Application of such technologies offers the opportunity to delineate cell-type spatial relationships, particularly across different length scales, and enhance our understanding of tissue organization and function. To quantify such multi-scale cell-type spatial relationships, we present CRAWDAD, Cell-type Relationship Analysis Workflow Done Across Distances, as an open-source R package.

Exploring transition states of protein conformational changes via out-of-distribution detection in the hyperspherical latent space.

Identifying transitional states is crucial for understanding protein conformational changes that underlie numerous biological processes. Markov state models (MSMs), built from Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, capture these dynamics through transitions among metastable conformational states, and have demonstrated success in studying protein conformational changes. However, MSMs face challenges in identifying transition states, as they partition MD conformations into discrete metastable states (or free energy minima), lacking description of transition states located at the free energy barriers.

Phase II Parallel Arm Study of Sacituzumab Govitecan-Hziy in Patients With Advanced Thymoma or Thymic Carcinoma.

Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), including thymoma and thymic carcinoma, are rare thoracic tumors of the anterior mediastinum. For those with advanced disease, platinum-based chemotherapy is used as first-line treatment. However, there is no standard regimen established for TET at progression after initial therapy, and treatment options for advanced/recurrent TETs are limited.

Machine learning based prediction model for bile leak following hepatectomy for liver cancer.

Objective: We sought to develop a machine learning (ML) preoperative model to predict bile leak following hepatectomy for primary and secondary liver cancer.

Methods: An eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model was developed to predict post-hepatectomy bile leak using data from the ACS-NSQIP database. The model was externally validated using data from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) multi-institutional databases.

Efficacy and safety of transient receptor potential channel modulators for dry eye: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of transient receptor potential (TRP) channel modulators for dry eye.

Methods: A thorough search for randomized clinical trials was conducted in seven databases up to February 16, 2024. Suitable studies were identified according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data were synthesized and analyzed using Review Manager 5.

Assessing asymmetric enhancement on breast MRI: Besting the diagnostic challenge with imaging and clinical clues.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the highest sensitivity for breast cancer detection compared to other breast imaging modalities such as mammography and ultrasound. As a functional modality, it captures the increased angiogenic activity of breast cancer through gadolinium-based contrast enhancement. Normal breast tissue also enhances, albeit in distinct patterns termed background parenchymal enhancement (BPE).

Preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate to predict cardiac events in major noncardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of two large international studies.

Background: Optimised use of kidney function information might improve cardiac risk prediction in noncardiac surgery.

Methods: In 35,815 patients from the VISION cohort study and 9219 patients from the POISE-2 trial who were ≥45 yr old and underwent nonurgent inpatient noncardiac surgery, we examined (by age and sex) the association between continuous nonlinear preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the composite of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery, nonfatal cardiac arrest, or death owing to a cardiac cause within 30 days after surgery. We estimated contributions of predictive information, C-statistic, and net benefit from eGFR and other common patient and surgical characteristics to large multivariable models.

Evolving concepts in intracranial pressure monitoring - from traditional monitoring to precision medicine.

A wide range of acute brain injuries, including both traumatic and non-traumatic causes, can result in elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), which in turn can cause further secondary injury to the brain, initiating a vicious cascade of propagating injury. Elevated ICP is therefore a neurological injury that requires intensive monitoring and time-sensitive interventions. Patients at high risk for developing elevated ICP undergo placement of invasive ICP monitors including external ventricular drains, intraparenchymal ICP monitors, and lumbar drains.

2024 SNMMI Highlights Lecture: General Clinical Specialties.

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Disruption of extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets modulates extracellular space volume and geometry.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a network of macromolecules which has two forms - perineuronal nets (PNNs) and a diffuse ECM (dECM) - both influence brain development, synapse formation, neuroplasticity, CNS injury and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. ECM remodeling can influence extrasynaptic transmission, mediated by diffusion of neuroactive substances in the extracellular space (ECS). In this study we analyzed how disrupted PNNs and dECM influence brain diffusibility.

Intraoperative Patellar Tendon Injuries during Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive Review of Incidence, Risk Factors, and Management Strategies.

Patellar tendon rupture (PTR) is a rare and severe postoperative complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Even rarer is the intraoperative occurrence of PTR during TKA. PTR is a major complication as it can lead to chronic disability, functional limitations, and postoperative morbidity.

Classification of non-TCGA cancer samples to TCGA molecular subtypes using compact feature sets.

Molecular subtypes, such as defined by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), delineate a cancer's underlying biology, bringing hope to inform a patient's prognosis and treatment plan. However, most approaches used in the discovery of subtypes are not suitable for assigning subtype labels to new cancer specimens from other studies or clinical trials. Here, we address this barrier by applying five different machine learning approaches to multi-omic data from 8,791 TCGA tumor samples comprising 106 subtypes from 26 different cancer cohorts to build models based upon small numbers of features that can classify new samples into previously defined TCGA molecular subtypes-a step toward molecular subtype application in the clinic.

Neutrophil extracellular traps promote pre-metastatic niche formation in the omentum by expanding innate-like B cells that express IL-10.

Disseminated cancer cells in the peritoneal fluid often colonize omental fat-associated lymphoid clusters but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we identify that innate-like B cells accumulate in the omentum of mice and women with early-stage ovarian cancer concomitantly with the extrusion of chromatin fibers by neutrophils called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Studies using genetically modified NET-deficient mice, pharmacologic inhibition of NETs, and adoptive B cell transfer show that NETs induce expression of the chemoattractant CXCL13 in the pre-metastatic omentum, stimulating recruitment of peritoneal innate-like B cells that in turn promote expansion of regulatory T cells and omental metastasis through producing interleukin (IL)-10.

It takes two to tango: The second membrane-binding site in peripheral proteins.

In this issue of Structure, Soteriou et al. use cell biology, in vitro reconstitution approaches, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterize the membrane association of AKT1. The authors show that the AKT1 pleckstrin homology domain contains two essential and cooperative PI(3,4,5)P-binding sites that enable stable membrane binding of AKT1 in the requisite orientation required for effective downstream signaling.

Identification of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and stability analysis of THC@HP-β-CD inclusion complex: A comprehensive computational study.

Complexing medications with cyclodextrins can enhance their solubility and stability. In this study, we investigated the host-guest complexation between Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP-D3/TPZ level of theory in two possible orientations. To determine the reactive sites in both complexes for electrophilic and nucleophilic attacks, we calculated and interpreted the binding energy, HOMO and LUMO orbitals, global chemical reactivity descriptors, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, and Fukui indices.

The crescent sign on ocular ultrasound and correlation with elevated intracranial pressure: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: While lumbar puncture (LP) remains gold standard for assessing intracranial pressure (ICP), LP can be difficult to perform and lead to complications. Noninvasive correlations for elevated ICP via ocular ultrasound (OUS) have shown mixed results. The primary objective of this study is to identify the frequency and test characteristics of the crescent sign on OUS for elevated ICP.

Meeting summary: Global vaccine and immunization research forum, 2023.

At the 2023 Global Vaccine and Immunization Research Forum (GVIRF), researchers from around the world gathered in the Republic of Korea to discuss advances and opportunities in vaccines and immunization. Many stakeholders are applying the lessons of Covid-19 to future emergencies, by advancing early-stage development of prototype vaccines to accelerate response to the next emerging infectious disease, and by building regional vaccine research, development, and manufacturing capacity to speed equitable access to vaccines in the next emergency. Recent vaccine licensures include: respiratory syncytial virus vaccines, both for the elderly and to protect infants through maternal immunization; a new dengue virus vaccine; and licensure of Covid-19 vaccines previously marketed under emergency use authorizations.

The Prognostic Role of HPV or p16INK4a Status in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: HPV infection is implicated in approximately half of global penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) cases. Previous studies on HPV DNA and p16INK4a status in PSCC have yielded inconclusive prognostic findings. This meta-analysis aims to elucidate the prognostic role of HPV in PSCC by pooling data on disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS).

Investigation of mesenchymal stem cell secretome on breast cancer gene expression: A bioinformatic approach to identify differentially expressed genes, functional networks, and potential therapeutic targets.

The mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome plays a pivotal role in shaping the tumor microenvironment, influencing both cancer progression and potential therapeutic outcomes. In this research, by using publicly available dataset GSE196312, we investigated the role of MSC secretome on breast cancer cell gene expression. Our results raveled differentially expressed genes, including the upregulation of Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-Trisphosphate Dependent Rac Exchange Factor 1 (PREX1), C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 28 (CCL28), and downregulation of Collagen Type I Alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1), Collagen Type I Alpha 3 Chain (COL1A3), Collagen Type III Alpha 1 Chain (COL3A1), which contributing to extra cellular matrix (ECM) weakening and promoting cell migration.

Insights into the behaviour of phosphorylated DNA breaks from molecular dynamic simulations.

Single-stranded breaks (SSBs) are the most frequent DNA lesions threatening genomic integrity-understanding how DNA sensor proteins recognize certain SSB types is crucial for studies of the DNA repair pathways. During repair of damaged DNA the final SSB that is to be ligated contains a 5'-phosphorylated end. The present work employed molecular simulation (MD) of DNA with a phosphorylated break in solution to address multiple questions regarding the dynamics of the break site.