Imaging of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: An Update.

Imaging is essential in the evaluation and management of acute pulmonary embolism. Advances in multi-energy CT including dual-energy CT and photon-counting CT have allowed faster scans with lower radiation dose and optimal quality. Artificial intelligence has a potential role in triaging potentially positive examinations and could serve as a second reader.

Structures and mRNP remodeling mechanism of the TREX-2 complex.

mRNAs are packaged with proteins into messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs) in the nucleus. mRNP assembly and export are of fundamental importance for all eukaryotic gene expression. Before export to the cytoplasm, mRNPs undergo dynamic remodeling governed by the DEAD-box helicase DDX39B (yeast Sub2).

Dietary Interventions, Supplements, and Plant-Derived Compounds for Adjunct Vitiligo Management: A Review of the Literature.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune pigmentation disorder shaped by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers. While conventional therapies-phototherapy, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants-can be effective, their benefits are often partial and temporary, with recurrence common once treatment stops. As such, there is increasing interest in exploring complementary approaches that may offer a more sustainable impact.

An Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of First-Line Triplet vs. Doublet Therapies for Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer.

: The addition of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), with or without docetaxel (Doc), is currently recommended for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Recently, the ARANOTE trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Darolutamide + ADT in this setting. We aimed to update a network meta-analysis (NMA) of these combination therapies.

Implications of packed red bloods cells production and transfer on post transfusion hemoglobin increase.

Background: Blood loss resulting in severe anemia is the most common indication for postoperative allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. In high-income countries, the majority of transfusions is received by elderly patients. Preservatives extend the storage of RBCs, though concerns exist about potential harm from transfusing older RBCs.

Cryo-EM structure and regulation of human NAD kinase.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is a crucial reducing cofactor for reductive biosynthesis and protection from oxidative stress. To fulfill their heightened anabolic and reductive power demands, cancer cells must boost their NADPH production. Progrowth and mitogenic protein kinases promote the activity of cytosolic NAD kinase (NADK), which produces NADP, a limiting NADPH precursor.

Romosozumab Improves Tissue Thickness-Adjusted Trabecular Bone Score in Women With Osteoporosis and Diabetes.

Context: Trabecular bone score (TBS), a gray-level texture index derived from lumbar spine (LS) dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, is decreased in patients with diabetes and is associated with increased fracture risk, independent of areal bone mineral density (aBMD), but potentially influenced by abdominal fat tissue.

Objective: Evaluate effect of romosozumab (210 mg monthly) for 12 months followed by alendronate (70 mg weekly) for 24 months vs alendronate alone (70 mg weekly) for 36 months on LS aBMD and TBS in women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the ARCH study.

Methods: This post hoc analysis included women from ARCH who had T2D at baseline and LS DXA scans at baseline and ≥1 postbaseline visit (romosozumab-to-alendronate, n = 165; alendronate-to-alendronate, n = 195).

Concussion and the Autonomic, Immune, and Endocrine Systems: An Introduction to the Field and a Treatment Framework for Persisting Symptoms.

A significant proportion of patients who sustain a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury endorse persisting, lingering symptoms. The symptoms associated with concussion are nonspecific, and many other medical conditions present with similar symptoms. Medical conditions that overlap symptomatically with concussion include anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and cervical strain injuries.

Meeting Challenges in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma.

Glaucoma, a progressive and multifactorial optic neurodegenerative disease, still poses significant challenges in both diagnosis and management and remains a perpetual enigma [...

Efficacy of the Optilume paclitaxel drug-coated balloon after urethroplasty: short-term results from a multicenter study.

Background: The Optilume paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) is a relatively new-to-market alternative in the management of male anterior urethral stricture disease. The pivotal trial excluded patients with a history of urethroplasty, although these strictures may be amenable to endoscopic management. Therefore, we sought to assess the efficacy of the DCB in the management of recurrent strictures following urethroplasty.

Comparison of Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Administration of the Oral Trail Making Test in Older Adults with and without Cognitive Impairment: A Brief Report.

Objectives: To examine the performance reliability of the Oral Trail Making Test (OTMT) in face-to-face (FTF) and teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) conditions among older individuals with and without cognitive impairment.

Methods: Two hundred participants (with [n = 81], and without cognitive impairment [n = 119]) completed the OTMT in both conditions, in a counterbalanced design. Paired sample t-tests compared OTMT scores and intra-class correlation coefficients examined the degree of agreement between the two testing conditions for both diagnostic groups.

Intermittent documentation of blood pressure values does not provide comprehensive evaluation of the hemodynamic response during continuous intravenous medication administration.

Blood pressure (BP) is a dynamic measure that is frequently discussed in static terms. There exist many limitations in current documentation systems whereby documented BP values may not be reflective of the dynamic variability of BP. This study used an observational, prospective, non-randomized study design to examine the variability in BP response during intravenous vasoactive medication administration in an intensive care unit setting.

Treatment of Denervated Muscle Atrophy by Injectable Dual-Responsive Hydrogels Loaded with Extracellular Vesicles.

Denervated muscle atrophy, a common outcome of nerve injury, often results in irreversible fibrosis due to the limited effectiveness of current therapeutic interventions. While extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer promise for treating muscle atrophy, their therapeutic potential is hindered by challenges in delivery and bioactivity within the complex microenvironment of the injury site. To address this issue, an injectable hydrogel is developed that is responsive to both ultrasound and pH, with inherent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, designed to improve the targeted delivery of stem cell-derived EVs.

Disordered Regions of Condensate-promoting Proteins Have Distinct Molecular Signatures Associated with Cellular Function.

Disordered regions of proteins play crucial roles in cellular functions through diverse mechanisms. Some disordered regions function by promoting the formation of biomolecular condensates through dynamic multivalent interactions. While many have assumed that interactions among these condensate-promoting disordered regions are non-specific, recent studies have shown that distinct sequence compositions and patterning lead to specific condensate compositions associated with cellular function.

Enhancer regulatory networks globally connect non-coding breast cancer loci to cancer genes.

Background: Genetic studies have associated thousands of enhancers with breast cancer (BC). However, the vast majority have not been functionally characterized. Thus, it remains unclear how BC-associated enhancers contribute to cancer.

Design and validation of cell-based potency assays for frataxin supplementation treatments.

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a multisystem, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the frataxin () gene. As FRDA is considered an FXN deficiency disorder, numerous therapeutic approaches in development or clinical trials aim to supplement FXN or restore endogenous expression. These include gene therapy, protein supplementation, genome editing or upregulation of transcription.

Mechanisms and rationales of SAM homeostasis.

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) is the primary methyl donor for numerous cellular methylation reactions. Its central role in methylation and involvement with many pathways link its availability to the regulation of cellular processes, the dysregulation of which can contribute to disease states, such as cancer or neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence indicates that intracellular SAM levels are maintained within an optimal range by a variety of homeostatic mechanisms.

Peptide nucleic acids: Recent advancements and future opportunities in biomedical applications.

Peptide nucleic acids (PNA), synthetic molecules comprising a peptide-like backbone and natural and unnatural nucleobases, have garnered significant attention for their potential applications in gene editing and other biomedical fields. The unique properties of PNA, particularly enhanced stability/specificity/affinity towards targeted DNA and RNA sequences, achieved significant attention recently for gene silencing, gene correction, antisense therapy, drug delivery, biosensing and other various diagnostic aspects. This review explores the structure, properties, and potential of PNA in transforming genetic engineering including potent biomedical challenges.

Cancer-targeted pro-theranostic bi-metallic organo-coordination nanoparticles.

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality, with aggressive, treatment-resistant tumors posing significant challenges. Current combination therapies and imaging approaches often fail due to disparate pharmacokinetics and difficulties correlating drug delivery with therapeutic response. In this study, we developed radionuclide-activatable theranostic nanoparticles (NPs) comprising folate receptor-targeted bimetallic organo-nanoparticles (Gd-Ti-FA-TA NPs).

The microcephaly-associated transcriptional regulator AUTS2 cooperates with Polycomb complex PRC2 to produce upper-layer neurons in mice.

AUTS2 syndrome is characterized by intellectual disability and microcephaly, and is often associated with autism spectrum disorder, but the underlying mechanisms, particularly concerning microcephaly, remain incompletely understood. Here, we analyze mice mutated for the transcriptional regulator AUTS2, which recapitulate microcephaly. Their brains exhibit reduced division of intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs), leading to fewer neurons and decreased thickness in the upper-layer cortex.

Approach to the Patient with Achondroplasia - New Considerations for Diagnosis, Management and Treatment.

Achondroplasia is the most common disproportionate short-stature skeletal dysplasia. Features associated with achondroplasia are rhizomelia, macrocephaly, midface hypoplasia, and typical cognition. Potential medical complications include foramen magnum stenosis, hydrocephalus, middle ear dysfunction, obstructive and central sleep apnea, spinal stenosis and genu varum.

Effective repulsive interaction between Janus polymer-grafted nanoparticles adhering to lipid vesicles.

The adhesion of nanoparticles to lipid vesicles causes curvature deformations to the membrane to an extent determined by the competition between the adhesive interaction and the membrane's elasticity. These deformations can extend over length scales larger than the size of a nanoparticle, leading to an effective membrane-curvature-mediated interaction between nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with uniform surfaces tend to aggregate into unidimensionally close-packed clusters at moderate adhesion strengths and endocytose at high adhesion strengths.

Birds of a feather? Mis- and dis-information on the social media platform X related to avian influenza.

Objective: Social media has become an important tool in monitoring infectious disease outbreaks such as coronavirus disease 2019 and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Influenced by the recent announcement of a possible human death from H5N2 avian influenza, we analyzed tweets collected from X (formerly Twitter) to describe the messaging regarding the HPAI outbreak, including mis- and dis-information, concerns, and health education.

Methods: We collected tweets involving keywords relating to HPAI for 5 days (June 04 to June 08, 2024).

Tubulin detyrosination shapes cytoskeletal architecture and virulence.

Tubulin detyrosination has been implicated in various human disorders and is important for regulating microtubule dynamics. While in most organisms this modification is restricted to α-tubulin, in trypanosomatid parasites, it occurs on both α- and β-tubulin. Here, we show that in , a single vasohibin (LmVASH) enzyme is responsible for differential kinetics of α- and β-tubulin detyrosination.

Glycogen synthase GYS1 overactivation contributes to glycogen insolubility and malto-oligoglucan-associated neurodegenerative disease.

Polyglucosans are glycogen molecules with overlong chains, which are hyperphosphorylated in the neurodegenerative Lafora disease (LD). Brain polyglucosan bodies (PBs) cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases including Lafora disease and adult polyglucosan body disease (ABPD), for which treatments, biomarkers, and good understanding of their pathogenesis are currently missing. Mutations in the genes for the phosphatase laforin or the E3 ubiquitin ligase malin can cause LD.