Mechanisms and applications of bacterial luciferase and its auxiliary enzymes.

Bacterial luciferase (LuxAB) catalyzes the conversion of reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH⁻), oxygen, and a long-chain aldehyde to oxidized FMN, the corresponding acid and water with concomitant light emission. This bioluminescence reaction requires the reaction of a flavin reductase such as LuxG (in vivo partner of LuxAB) to supply FMNH⁻ for the LuxAB reaction. LuxAB is a well-known self-sufficient luciferase system because both aldehyde and FMNH⁻ substrates can be produced by the associated enzymes encoded by the genes in the lux operon, allowing the system to be auto-luminous.

Roll out and prospects of the malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M.

In this Perspective article, Lorenz von Seidlein outlines the promise of two malaria vaccines, and discusses some of the considerations for their roll out.

DNA damage response mutations enhance the antitumor efficacy of ATR and PARP inhibitors in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a biliary tract carcinoma that is challenging to treat due to its heterogeneity and limited treatment options. Genetic alterations in DNA damage response (DDR) pathways and homologous recombination (HR) defects are common in CCA. This has prompted interest in the use of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors to treat CCA.

Impact of Halide (Cl vs I) Identity on the Preferred Positioning of Substituents between Al and M (M = Co, Rh, Ir) in PAlP Pincer Complexes.

Protolysis of AlMe or AlEt with 2-diisopropylphosphinopyrrole () resulted in alane/bis(phosphine) pincer ligands containing two flanking phosphines and a central Al-Me (), Al-Et () unit. Reactions of with [(COD)MI] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; M = Rh or Ir) in the presence of pyridine produced pincer complexes ( and ) with M supported by the PAlP tridentate ligand, and pyridine, methyl, and iodide as monodentate ligands for Al or M. The analogous reaction of with [(COD)MI] and pyridine resulted in the formation of the analogous compounds and with hydride in place of methyl.

Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Risk After Catheter Ablation in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) is well-established. However, data on the impact of RA on AF recurrence postcatheter ablation (CA) remain unclear. This current study aimed to assess the impact of RA on AF recurrence after catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation.

Long-term excessive salt consumption alters villous and crypt morphology and the protein expression of uroguanylin, TRPV6 and PMCA1b in the rat small intestine.

Although long-term high dietary sodium consumption often aggravates hypertension and bone loss, sodium in the intestinal lumen has been known to promote absorption of nutrients and other ions, e.g., glucose and calcium.

Antioxidative and anticancer effects of Tacca chantrieri extract enhancing cisplatin sensitivity in cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) poses a significant healthcare challenge due to the limited effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Natural products have gained widespread attention in cancer research according to their promising anti-cancer effects with minimal adverse side effects. This study explored the potential of Tacca chantrieri (TC), a plant rich in bioactive compounds, as a therapeutic agent for CCA.

A mixed methods study investigating factors affecting adherence to Plasmodium vivax malaria primaquine radical cure regimens among migrants along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Background: The countries within the Greater Mekong Region of Southeast Asia have pledged to eliminate malaria by 2030. Elimination of Plasmodium vivax malaria is challenging as it requires radical cure to prevent relapse. Understanding and facilitating adherence to primaquine radical cure regimens is necessary for malaria elimination.

Identification of Southeast Asian Anopheles mosquito species with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using a cross-correlation approach.

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is proposed for mosquito species identification. The absence of public repositories sharing mass spectra and open-source data analysis pipelines for fingerprint matching to mosquito species limits the widespread use of this technology. The objective of this study was to develop a free open-source data analysis pipeline for Anopheles species identification with MALDI-TOF MS.

Efficacy and Safety of Short Intravenous Hydration for Preventing Nephrotoxicity From High-Dose Cisplatin: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase II Trial.

Purpose: The use of short hydration (SH) to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity lacks substantive prospective evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SH, including those with head and neck cancer (HNC) who are at higher risks of mucositis that causes diminished oral intake.

Methods: This phase II randomized noncomparative trial included patients with cancer who were scheduled to receive high-dose cisplatin (≥60 mg/m) in combination with another chemotherapy or concurrently with radiotherapy.

Left ventricular elastance with resting volumetric transthoracic echocardiography identifies different phenotypes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous entity including patients with different phenotypes of near normal, normal, and supernormal left ventricular (LV) function.

Objectives: To assess the value of resting LV elastance (also known as force) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to identify HFpEF phenotypes.

Methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, 2380 HFpEF patients were recruited from July 2016 to May 2024.

Quantifying Plasmodium vivax radical cure efficacy: a modelling study integrating clinical trial data and transmission dynamics.

Background: Plasmodium vivax forms dormant liver stages (hypnozoites) that can reactivate weeks to months after primary infection. Radical cure requires a combination of antimalarial drugs to kill both the blood-stage and liver-stage parasites. Hypnozoiticidal efficacy of the liver-stage drugs primaquine and tafenoquine cannot be estimated directly because hypnozoites are undetectable.

Malnutrition and risks of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: Recent data showed an association between malnutrition and increased all-cause mortality and thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of malnutrition on the clinical outcomes for patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF is still debated. Our study aimed to examine this relationship using all existing available data.

Critical care services in Bagmati province of Nepal: A cross sectional survey.

Background: This study aimed to assess the current status of critical care services in 13 districts of Bagmati Province in Nepal, with a focus on access, infrastructure, human resources, and intensive care unit (ICU) services.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers employed in 87 hospitals having medical/surgical ICUs across Bagmati Province. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face and telephone interviews.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on intraocular pressure in patients with OSA: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Objectives: To assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on intraocular pressure in Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

Methods: The search was performed in Ovid Medline and Embase database then followed by a manual bibliography search. Abstract search and screening were independently performed followed by eligible full-text versions reviewed.

Potential of emodepside for vector-borne disease control.

Background: Emodepside is an anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine that is currently under investigation in human clinical trials for the treatment of soil-transmitted helminths and possibly Onchocerca volvulus. Emodepside targets the calcium-activated voltage-gated potassium slowpoke 1 (SLO-1) channels of presynaptic nerves of pharynx and body wall muscle cells of nematodes leading to paralysis, reduced locomotion and egg laying, starvation, and death. Emodepside also has activity against Drosophila melanogaster SLO-1 channels.

Pitfalls in gut single-cell eukaryote research.

Gut single-celled eukaryotes (GSCEs) are found in billions of people worldwide, but we still know little about their functions and relationships in human gut ecology. Lately, retrospective analysis of bacterial data obtained by next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods has been used to identify links between GSCEs, gut bacteria, host metabolism, and host phenotypical traits, suggesting possible direct or indirect associations to favorable gut microbiome features and other health parameters. Here, we highlight some of the pitfalls related to the research strategy typically used so far and propose action points that could pave the way for a more accurate understanding of GSCEs in human health and disease.

Co-Designing a Consumer-Focused Digital Reporting Health Platform to Improve Adverse Medicine Event Reporting: Protocol for a Multimethod Research Project (the ReMedi Project).

Background: Adverse medicine events (AMEs) are unintended effects that occur following administration of medicines. Up to 70% of AMEs are not reported to, and hence remain undetected by, health care professionals and only 6% of AMEs are reported to regulators. Increased reporting by consumers, health care professionals, and pharmaceutical companies to medicine regulatory authorities is needed to increase the safety of medicines.

mBAT: a newly developed mobile application for self-screening of pediatric bleeding disorders - a multi-center study.

Bleeding assessment tools (BATs) are used by trained medical personnel for screening bleeding disorders on a one-to-one basis with patients; hence, they are time-consuming and limited in use for large-population screening. The aims of the study were to develop, validate, and demonstrate a Thai BAT mobile application (mBAT) for self-screening of bleeding disorders. mBAT was developed and validated using the paper-based Thai version of pediatric bleeding questionnaire (TPBQ).

Unveiling immunity gaps and determining a suitable age for a third dose of the measles-containing vaccine: a strategic approach to accelerating measles elimination.

Background: In highly measles immunized countries, immunity gaps in adolescents and young adults are a key issue posing an obstacle to measles elimination. This study aims to identify the gaps by estimating the age-stratified probability of seropositivity, and to ascertain a suitable age for the administration of a third dose of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV3) to effectively fill these gaps.

Methods: We retrospectively obtained measles serological results from hospital setting among among individuals aged 13-39 years and developed a serocatalytic dynamic probability model, stratifying seropositivity due to vaccination or natural infection.

Vedolizumab serum trough concentrations with and without thiopurines in ulcerative colitis: The prospective VIEWS pharmacokinetics study.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition requiring continuous treatment and monitoring. There is limited pharmacokinetic data on vedolizumab during maintenance therapy and the effect of thiopurines on vedolizumab trough concentrations is unknown.

Aim: To investigate the exposure-response relationship of vedolizumab and the impact of thiopurine withdrawal in UC patients who have achieved sustained clinical and endoscopic remission during maintenance therapy.

Clinical outcomes and adverse events of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors for advanced basal cell carcinoma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and poses treatment challenges in advanced stages. Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies, but tumor location and prior interventions can limit these methods. Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (HPIs) are used for patients unsuitable for conventional treatments.

Role of lipid binding protein, Niemann pick type C-2, in enhancing shrimp sperm physiological function.

Sperm activation occurring in both male and female reproductive tract involves a highly complex series of biomolecular dynamics, particularly on membrane lipids and proteins. In mammals, the universal anticipation in cholesterol (CHO) sequestration plays a role in mammalian sperm maturation/capacitation, subsequently enhancing sperm fertilizing ability. In shrimp, we have previously shown that the level of cholesterol (CHO) is significantly reduced in vas deferens sperm when compared with sperm in the testes, presumably due to the sequestering action of the lipid-binding protein, one of which is Niemann-Pick Type C-2 (NPC2).

Communication channel preference for raising rabies awareness among dog owners in Thailand: A nationwide study.

Rabies is a severe zoonotic disease with potentially fatal consequences. Effective communication channels are crucial for disseminating key rabies prevention and control messages to target populations. This study examined how dog owners' demographic factors influenced communication channels in Thailand.

Mixed effect model confirms increased risk of image changes with increasing linear energy transfer in proton therapy of gliomas.

Background And Purpose: Radiation induced image changes (IC) on MRI have been observed after proton therapy for brain tumours. This study aims to create predictive models, with and without taking into account patient variation, based on dose, linear energy transfer (LET) and periventricular zone (PVZ) in a national cohort of patients with glioma treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS).

Materials And Methods: A cohort of 87 consecutive patients with oligodendroglioma or astrocytoma (WHO grade 2-4) treated with PBS from January 2019 to December 2021 was included.