Current Applications and Developments of Natural Language Processing in Kidney Transplantation: A Scoping Review.

Background And Objective: Natural language processing (NLP) is a subfield of artificial intelligence that enables computers to process human language. As most human interactions today involve the internet and electronic devices, NLP tools quickly become indispensable to modern life. The use of NLP tools in medical practice and research is growing fast.

Personalising Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Systemic Therapy and Radiotherapy Treatment Volumes.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with current treatment recommendations largely based on TNM-stage. Radiotherapy remains the backbone of treatment for NPC. Over the past decades, the addition of concurrent chemotherapy to radiotherapy for early-stage disease, and the combination of induction chemotherapy (IC) or adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with chemoradiotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy alone for advanced disease have led to substantial improvements in survival of patients with NPC.

Voxel-level radiomics and deep learning for predicting pathologic complete response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Background: Accurate prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (nICT) is crucial for tailoring patient care in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aimed to develop and validate a deep learning model using a novel voxel-level radiomics approach to predict pCR based on preoperative CT images.

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, 741 patients with ESCC who underwent nICT followed by radical esophagectomy were enrolled from three institutions.

Evolution of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma from Precursor Lesion Stem Cells.

Background And Aims: Metastatic cancers arise from a decades-long succession of increasingly virulent precursor lesions, each of which represents prospective targets for therapeutic intervention. This evolutionary process has been particularly vivid in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), as this cancer and associated precursor lesions, including Barrett's esophagus (BE), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), co-exist in an accessible, two-dimensional pattern in esophageal mucosa. Given the durability of these precursor lesions, it is likely that they, like EAC, rely on stem cells for their regenerative growth.

Hematopoietic MyD88 orchestrates the control of gut colonization by segmented filamentous bacteria.

Host-microbiota cooperation is critical for successful intestinal homeostasis. The commensal segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are crucial for orchestrating the post-natal maturation of the host gut immune system and establishing a healthy state of physiological inflammation, which largely depends on their intimate attachment to the ileal mucosa. However, the signaling pathways used by SFB to induce gut immune responses and how such responses ultimately control SFB colonization remain controversial.

Concise first total synthesis of phenylethanoid glycosides parvifloroside A and crassifolioside.

The first total synthesis of phenylethanoid glycosides parvifloroside A 1 and crassifolioside 2 is disclosed, achieving excellent 31 % and 33 % overall yield, respectively. The synthesis exploited the inherent reactivity differences among the free hydroxyl groups on 4-O-caffeoyl glucopyranoside 3 intermediate, enabling regioselective caffeoylation and rhamnosylation. The key to the synthesis is using chiral 4-pyrrolidinopyridine organocatalyst 6 to achieve the regioselective caffeoylation and migration of acyl groups.

Safety and efficacy of rilzabrutinib vs placebo in adults with immune thrombocytopenia: the phase 3 LUNA3 study.

Rilzabrutinib is a covalent, reversible BTK inhibitor with multiple mechanisms targeting key immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) disease pathophysiology. The phase 3 LUNA3 study in previously treated adults with persistent/chronic ITP evaluated oral rilzabrutinib 400 mg bid (n=133) vs placebo (n=69) for 24 weeks. At baseline overall, median age was 47 years (range, 18-80), 63% female, 7.

Decentralized learning for medical image classification with prototypical contrastive network.

Background: Recently, deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown great potential in medical image classification tasks. However, the practical usage of the methods is constrained by two challenges: 1) the challenge of using nonindependent and identically distributed (non-IID) datasets from various medical institutions while ensuring privacy, and 2) the data imbalance problem due to the frequency of different diseases.

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to present a novel approach for addressing these challenges through a decentralized learning method using a prototypical contrastive network to achieve precise medical image classification while mitigating the non-IID problem across different clients.

Apoptotic Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Hypersensitivity Responses via Inducing CD8 T Cells Apoptosis with Calcium Overload and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Apoptosis is crucial for maintaining internal homeostasis. Apoptotic vesicles (ApoVs) derived from mesenchymal stem/ stromal cells (MSCs-ApoVs) as natural lipid nanoparticles are attractive candidates for the next generation of immunotherapies. However, the therapeutic potential of MSCs-ApoVs in managing hypersensitivity reactions mediated by CD8 T cells remains elusive.

Unmet Needs Among Older Adult Informal Caregivers and Care Recipients in Singapore: A Qualitative Study.

With the global population aging, it is imperative to have a thorough understanding of the unmet needs experienced by older adults who require caregiving or are informal caregivers. It is also important to understand how the perspectives of caregivers and care recipients might differ and interact to mutually shape experiences during the care journey. The primary aim of this study was to provide an in-depth and holistic understanding of the unmet needs and challenges experienced by older informal caregivers and care recipients.

Economic returns on investing in early childhood development in Vietnam: a cost-benefit analysis.

Background: Economic evidence on the long-term benefits of investing in early childhood development is limited. This study aimed to estimate the potential long-term economic benefits of an early childhood development intervention 'Learning Clubs' in Vietnam.

Methods: We conducted a cost-benefit analysis to estimate the costs and benefits of the intervention compared to the standard of care from a limited societal perspective.

The asthma diagnosis jigsaw puzzle: an adaptable teaching concept to facilitate the diagnosis of asthma in adults and children presenting to primary care.

The asthma diagnosis jigsaw puzzle is a clinical practice and teaching concept conceived in clinical practice and refined through an expert multidisciplinary consensus process by academics and clinicians with an interest in primary respiratory care. The concept incorporates guidance to facilitate the effective diagnosis of adults or children with asthma in primary care where misdiagnosis is common. The jigsaw puzzle metaphor teaches a problem-solving approach to diagnosis, introducing the concept of diagnosis over time and in no particular sequence.

Epidemiologic study of pediatric uveitis and its ophthalmic complications using the Korean National Health Insurance Claim Database.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and ophthalmic complications of pediatric uveitis using the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) Service database.

Design: Nationwide population-based longitudinal cohort study.

Methods: This study used the NHI database from 2005 to 2021 and included individuals <18 years of age diagnosed with uveitis on at least three separate visits between 2010-2014, with a five-year wash-out period and a seven-year follow-up period.

Smoking negatively impacts ocular surface health and corneal nerve metrics.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of smoking on ocular surface through comprehensive analysis of corneal nerves, corneal epithelium, dendritic cells (DCs), and clinical assessments.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 250 healthy smokers and 272 healthy non-smokers. Patients' smoking status and duration were recorded.

Splenial Angle on Axial T1 and FLAIR MRI Images and Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Objectives: The splenial angle (SA), measured on axial DTI colour fractional anisotropy MRI, outperformed the callosal angle (CA) in predicting idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patients from those with Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy controls (HC). We investigated its reliability and classification performance on more commonly acquired T1 MPRAGE and FLAIR images.

Methods: SA was measured on axial MPRAGE and FLAIR images in 57 subjects (19 NPH, PD and HC each) by two raters, and compared across groups.

Terahertz molecular vibrational sensing using 3D printed anapole meta-biosensor.

Terahertz (THz) fingerprint sensing utilizes the absorption of fingerprints generated by the unique vibrational characteristics of molecules to achieve substance-specific identification. By taking full advance of the anapole mode induced-biosensor consisting of out-of-plane metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration, the D-glucose solutions down to physiological level are accurately detected by proposed metasurface biosensor through the electromagnetic induced absorption (EIA) effect induced by the interaction between the metasurface and molecular vibrational fingerprint. Besides, by utilizing the vibrational fingerprint sensing ability, the pure D-glutamic acid and D-lactose, as well as their mixture have been quantitatively characterized.

Potential drivers of pocilloporid coral extirpations in Singapore.

The reason why four out of five historically recorded pocilloporid species in Singapore went extinct remains unclear. However, potential causes include urbanization-related stressors such as sedimentation and low light. In this study, we conducted two ex-situ experiments to examine the effects of light limitation and sediment load on the survival and health of two extirpated (Stylophora pistillata, and Seriatopora hystrix), one extant (Pocillopora acuta), and one regional (Pocillopora meandrina) pocilloporid species.

Validation of the Iwate scoring system for the stratification of laparoscopic liver resections: An international multicenter study.

Introduction: The Iwate difficulty scoring system (DSS) is one of the most widely validated DSS for laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). However, these studies only validated the 4 difficulty levels and did not validate the 12-point difficulty index of the system. To address current limitations in the studies validating the Iwate difficulty scoring system (DSS), we performed an international multicenter study to validate the Iwate DSS across both its four difficulty levels and 12-point difficulty index.

"It was time I could have spent better"-the barriers, enablers, and recommendations for improving access to financial aid when a child has cancer.

Purpose: A child's cancer diagnosis imposes both short-term and long-term stress on families. This study aimed to explore (1) the barriers and enablers in alleviating the financial impacts of a child's cancer diagnosis and treatment, and (2) areas for improvement in financial aid as suggested by stakeholders.

Method: This qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews with five hospital social work team members, three charity representatives and eight parents of children treated for cancer.

Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan According to Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Patients Enrolled in PARADIGM-HF and PARAGON-HF.

Background: Recent trials of new heart failure (HF) treatments suggest the effect of therapy may vary by N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level.

Objectives: The authors examined the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan according to NT-proBNP levels in patients with reduced, mildly reduced, and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) enrolled in PARADIGM-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor with Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure Trial) and PARAGON-HF (Prospective Comparison of Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor with Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers Global Outcomes in HF with Preserved Ejection Fraction).

Methods: Individual patient data from PARADIGM-HF and PARAGON-HF were pooled and participants were divided into categories defined by quintiles of NT-proBNP level.

Advancements in Coronary Bifurcation Stenting Techniques: Insights From Computational and Bench Testing Studies.

Coronary bifurcation lesions present complex challenges in interventional cardiology, necessitating effective stenting techniques to achieve optimal results. This literature review comprehensively examines the application of computational and bench testing methods in coronary bifurcation stenting, offering insights into procedural aspects, stent design considerations, and patient-specific characteristics. Structural mechanics finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and multi-objective optimization are valuable tools for evaluating stenting strategies, including provisional side branch stenting and two-stenting techniques.

Innovative learning in dental education: integrating narrative and 3D industrial design for teaching caries health disease processes.

Introduction: Dental education requires innovative pedagogical tools to understand the evolution of the health-disease process in individuals with dental caries. "The Origin of Teeth" integrates narrative storytelling with industrial character design to address this need.

Aim: To create and implement industrial designs based on characters from "The Origin of Teeth" to improve teaching outcomes and student engagement with the health-disease process of caries.

The Global Consortium of Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies-GLOBICS.

This article highlights the transformative initiatives of the Global Consortium of Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies (GLOBICS) as a key response to the call for a global overhaul of the oral health agenda. Recognizing the critical role of birth cohort studies in public health, particularly in understanding the interplay between oral health, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and social inequalities, GLOBICS is spearheading efforts that are research driven and focused on translational pathways. GLOBICS is advancing an International Research Agenda with 8 key priorities aimed at addressing the most pressing questions in oral health research.