Challenges in intraoperative differentiation of craniopharyngioma and Rathke cleft cyst on endoscopic visualization.

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are epithelial tumors derived from the remnants of the Rathke pouch, while Rathke cleft cysts (RCC) are benign cystic lesions originating from the Rathke pouch itself [1]. Rathke cleft cysts comprise 10-15% of the hypophyseal tumors, while craniopharyngiomas are relatively rare, comprising only 2-5% of intracranial tumors [2]. Both located in the sellar and parasellar regions and share clinical symptoms including headache, visual disturbances, and endocrine dysfunction [3].

Should antinuclear antibodies (ANA) be used to screen for connective tissue disease in neurological patients?

Background: Patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD) can have a wide range of neurological manifestations. Neurological complaints may be the presenting symptom of CTD. Therefore, screening for CTD using anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) is a common practice.

Lyrics do matter: how "coping songs" relate to well-being goals. The COVID pandemic case.

Introduction: In stressful times, people often listen to "coping songs" that help them reach emotional well-being goals. This paper is a first attempt to map the connection between an individual's well-being goals and their chosen coping song.

Methods: We assembled a large-scale dataset of 2,804 coping songs chosen by individuals from 11 countries during COVID-19 lockdown.

Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains.

In this study, we attempt to illustrate fossil vertebrate dental tissue geochemistry and, by inference, its extent of diagenetic alteration, using quantitative, semi-quantitative and optical tools to evaluate bioapatite preservation. We present visual comparisons of elemental compositions in fish and plesiosaur dental remains ranging in age from Silurian to Cretaceous, based on a combination of micro-scale optical cathodoluminescence (CL) observations (optical images and scanning electron microscope) with minor, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions (EDS, maps and REE profiles), as a tool for assessing diagenetic processes and biomineral preservation during fossilization of vertebrate dental apatite. Tissue-selective REE values have been obtained using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), indicating areas of potential REE enrichment, combined with cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis.

Once daily Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement of venous leg ulcers versus gel vehicle (placebo) and non-surgical standard of care: a three-arm multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled study.

Background: Debridement is considered the first step in treatment of chronic wounds, however, current enzymatic and autolytic debridement agents are slow or ineffective. Previous studies have shown positive initial results with EscharEx® (EX-02 formulation), a Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement agent in development for chronic wounds. The main objective of this study was to assess its efficacy in debriding venous leg ulcers (VLU), compared to gel vehicle (GV) as a placebo control and to non-surgical standard of care (NSSOC).

Effectiveness of AZD7442 (Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab) for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Against COVID-19 Hospitalization in Israel During the Omicron Sub-Variant Time Period.

Introduction: The effectiveness of AZD7442 (tixagevimab/cilgavimab) against COVID-19 hospitalizations was determined at 3 and 6 months among immunocompromised individuals in Israel during different variant circulations.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from Clalit Health Services in Israel. Immunocompromised individuals eligible to receive AZD7442 300 mg between 15 February and 11 December 2022 were identified.

Starch-rich plant foods 780,000 y ago: Evidence from Acheulian percussive stone tools.

In contrast to animal foods, wild plants often require long, multistep processing techniques that involve significant cognitive skills and advanced toolkits to perform. These costs are thought to have hindered how hominins used these foods and delayed their adoption into our diets. Through the analysis of starch grains preserved on basalt anvils and percussors, we demonstrate that a wide variety of plants were processed by Middle Pleistocene hominins at the site of Gesher Benot Ya'aqov in Israel, at least 780,000 y ago.

Towards Equitable Diabetes Care: A Global Perspective on Quality Measurement Exchange.

In the pursuit of equitable diabetes care, international knowledge exchange (iKE) serves as a crucial mechanism for narrowing the gaps in quality within and between countries. Little is known about the process of quality measurement exchange among stakeholders from high-income countries (HICs), low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and international organizations. This study aims to analyze recent international exchanges of quality measures in diabetes care and propose a framework for enhancing quality, focusing on LMICs.

Photocatalytic Semiconductor-Metal Hybrid Nanoparticles: Single-Atom Catalyst Regime Surpasses Metal Tips.

Semiconductor-metal hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) are promising materials for photocatalytic applications, such as water splitting for green hydrogen generation. While most studies have focused on Cd containing HNPs, the realization of actual applications will require environmentally compatible systems. Using heavy-metal free ZnSe-Au HNPs as a model, we investigate the dependence of their functionality and efficiency on the cocatalyst metal domain characteristics ranging from the single-atom catalyst (SAC) regime to metal-tipped systems.

Photochemical pathways in astronomical ices: A computational study of singlet oxygen reactions with hydrocarbons.

Complex organic molecules are widespread in different areas of the interstellar medium, including cold areas, such as molecular clouds, where chemical reactions occur in ice. Among the observed molecules are oxygen-bearing organic molecules, which are of high interest given their significant role in astrobiology. Despite the observed rich chemistry, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for molecular formation in such cold dilute areas are still not fully understood.

High quality MAGs from lignocellulose-impacted environments elucidate metabolism and evolutionary mechanisms.

The archaeal class is widely and abundantly distributed in anoxic habitats. Metagenomic studies have suggested that they are mixotrophic, capable of CO fixation and heterotrophic growth, and involved in acetogenesis and lignin degradation. We analyzed 35 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including the first complete circularized MAG (cMAG) of the Bathy-6 subgroup, from the metagenomes of three full-scale pulp and paper mill anaerobic digesters and three laboratory methanogenic enrichment cultures maintained on pre-treated poplar.

Retreatment of Failed Regenerative Endodontic Therapy: Outcome and Treatment Considerations.

Introduction Regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) has been suggested for treating immature necrotic teeth, and failures after RET may be observed during follow-up examinations, even two years after the initial treatment. The study aimed to examine the outcomes of RET and suggest a decision-making guide for the retreatment of failed cases. Methods Around 414 endodontically treated immature teeth from patients aged six and 17 were screened to identify eight patients who presented with a failed RET.

Genomic loci associated with grain protein and mineral nutrients concentrations in under contrasting water regimes.

Climate change is becoming a global challenge, threating agriculture's capacity to meet the food and nutritional requirements of the growing population. Underutilized crops present an opportunity to address climate change and nutritional deficiencies. Tef is a stress-resilient cereal crop, producing gluten-free grain of high nutritional quality.

Photomodulated Transient Catalytic Constitutional Dynamic Networks and Reaction Circuits.

A method to photomodulate dynamically transient DNA-based reaction circuits and networks is introduced. The method relies on the integration of photoresponsive o-nitrobenzyl-phosphate ester-caged DNA hairpin with a "mute" reaction module. Photodeprotection (λ = 365 nm) of the hairpin structure separates a fuel strand triggering the dynamic, transient, operation of the DNA circuit/network.

Impact of postharvest processing on the health benefits of durian-derived products.

Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) is a seasonal fruit with a short harvesting period, requiring postharvest processing such as cutting, peeling, freeze-drying, cooking, and frying to enhance its shelf life and nutritional quality. In this study, fresh Monthong durian (MTD), MTD Sticks, MTD Cake, and MTD Chips were analyzed for polyphenols, phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids and thermal stability.

Land Use Change Consistently Reduces α- But Not β- and γ-Diversity of Bees.

Land use change threatens global biodiversity and compromises ecosystem functions, including pollination and food production. Reduced taxonomic α-diversity is often reported under land use change, yet the impacts could be different at larger spatial scales (i.e.

De-escalation of surgical and radiation treatment in elderly luminal breast cancer patients, single institution report and review of the evidence.

Background: De-intensification of anti-cancer therapy without significantly affecting outcomes is an important goal. Omission of axillary surgery or breast radiation is considered a reasonable option in elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer and good prognostic factors. Data on avoidance of both axillary surgery and radiation therapy (RT) is scarce and inconclusive.

A nucleolar mechanism suppresses organismal proteostasis by modulating TGFβ/ERK signalling.

The protein homeostasis (proteostasis) network encompasses a myriad of mechanisms that maintain the integrity of the proteome by controlling various biological functions, including protein folding and degradation. Alas, ageing-associated decline in the efficiency of this network enables protein aggregation and consequently the development of late-onset neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, the maintenance of proteostasis through late stages of life bears the promise to delay the emergence of these devastating diseases.

Anti-herpetic tau preserves neurons via the cGAS-STING-TBK1 pathway in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis relies on the presence of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau). Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between AD pathologies and infectious agents, with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) being a leading candidate. Our investigation, using metagenomics, mass spectrometry, western blotting, and decrowding expansion pathology, detects HSV-1-associated proteins in human brain samples.

Emendation of Recommendation 6(7), Rule 64 and Appendix 9 Section D of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to regulate the formation of prokaryote names from personal names.

Following a proposal to emend Recommendation 6(7), Rule 64 and Appendix 9, Section D of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to regulate the formation of prokaryote names from personal names, I hereby report the outcome of the ballot on this proposal by the members of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.

Determination of Molecular Ground State via Short Square Pulses on Superconducting Qubits.

Quantum computing is currently hindered by hardware noise. We present a freestyle superconducting pulse optimization method, incorporating two-qubit channels, that enhances flexibility, execution speed, and noise resilience. A minimal 0.

Cell-free DNA Levels in Herpes Zoster: A Cross-sectional Longitudinal Study.

This study investigates serum cell-free DNA fluctuations in patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia, offering insight into the tissue damage and inflammatory dynamics associated with these conditions. A single-centre combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study was conducted with 59 patients to assess cell-free DNA levels in herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia. Cell-free DNA was extracted from blood samples of patients with herpes zoster or post-herpetic neuralgia and compared with healthy controls.

Stereotactic implantation of diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy sources in the swine brain: a potential new focal therapy for brain tumors.

Purpose: Diffusing alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy ("Alpha DaRT") is a new cancer treatment modality that employs radium-224-loaded metal sources implanted in solid tumors to disperse alpha-emitting atoms within a therapeutic "kill-zone" of a few millimeters around each source. Preclinical studies have demonstrated tumor growth delay in various cancer types, including glioblastoma multiforme, and the method is used in clinical trials for patients with skin and head and neck cancer. This study aims to assess the safety and feasibility of implementing Alpha DaRT for brain tumor treatment in a large animal model.