Psoriasis in People With Skin of Color: An Evidence-Based Update.

Variations in epidemiology, pathophysiology, genetics, clinical presentation, management, quality of life (QoL) impact, and access to care and research exist globally across the spectrum of individuals with psoriasis. This article aims to provide an evidence-based update on the characteristics of psoriasis in individuals with skin of color (SOC), a population in which psoriasis data have historically been limited. A literature search was conducted from January 2018 until August 2023 in Pubmed/MEDLINE/Cochrane Library and identified studies with I-III level of evidence using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine recommendations.

Direct and indirect genetic effects on early neurodevelopmental traits.

Background: Neurodevelopmental conditions are highly heritable. Recent studies have shown that genomic heritability estimates can be confounded by genetic effects mediated via the environment (indirect genetic effects). However, the relative importance of direct versus indirect genetic effects on early variability in traits related to neurodevelopmental conditions is unknown.

Interactions Between Bacterivorous Nematodes and Bacteria Reduce NO Emissions.

Trophic interactions in micro-food webs, such as those between nematodes and their bacterial prey, affect nitrogen cycling in soils, potentially changing nitrous oxide (NO) production and consumption. However, how nematode-mediated changes in soil bacterial community composition affect soil NO emissions is largely unknown. Here, microcosm experiments are performed with the bacterial feeding nematode Protorhabditis to explore the potential of nematodes in regulating microbial communities and thereby soil NO emissions.

Identification of C/EBPδ-Modifying Compounds as Potential Anticancer Agents Using a High-Throughput Drug Screen.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (C/EBPδ) has been shown to promote tumour growth, drug resistance and metastasis formation in some cancers, whereas we have shown that its re-expression limits the features of tumour progression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The pharmacological targeting-either activation or inhibition-of C/EBPδ may therefore harbour clinical relevance and is desirable for preclinical studies on C/EBPδ in different contexts. Regrettably, to date, only few molecules have been identified that modify C/EBPδ.

Lung Cancer Detection Using Bayesian Networks: A Retrospective Development and Validation Study on a Danish Population of High-Risk Individuals.

Background: Lung cancer (LC) is the top cause of cancer deaths globally, prompting many countries to adopt LC screening programs. While screening typically relies on age and smoking intensity, more efficient risk models exist. We devised a Bayesian network (BN) for LC detection, testing its resilience with varying degrees of missing data and comparing it to a prior machine learning (ML) model.

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Alcohol Consumption, Hangovers and Smoking Among Young Adults (n = 140) in Germany: An On-Line Study.

Objective: This study investigated the impact of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdowns on alcohol consumption and smoking behavior among young adults from Germany.

Methods: An online survey was completed by N = 317 young adults living in Germany. Of these, 140 (44.

Tuberculosis: An Update for the Clinician.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health threat with high mortality and efforts to meet WHO End TB Strategy milestones are off-track. It has become clear that TB is not a dichotomous infection with latent and active forms but presents along a disease spectrum. Subclinical TB plays a larger role in transmission than previously thought.

Biomarker treatment effects in two phase 3 trials of gantenerumab.

Introduction: We report biomarker treatment effects in the GRADUATE I and II phase 3 studies of gantenerumab in early Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Amyloid and tau positron emission tomography (PET), volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (vMRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and plasma biomarkers used to assess gantenerumab treatment related changes on neuropathology, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation over 116 weeks.

Results: Gantenerumab reduced amyloid PET load, CSF biomarkers of amyloid beta (Aβ)40, total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181), neurogranin, S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), neurofilament light (NfL), alpha-synuclein (α-syn), neuronal pentraxin-2 (NPTX2), and plasma biomarkers of t-tau, p-tau181, p-tau217, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) while increasing plasma Aβ40, Aβ42.

Rapid quantitative MRI at 46 mT: Accelerated T and T mapping with low-rank reconstructions.

Purpose: To evaluate accelerated T- and T-mapping techniques for ultra-low-field MRI using low-rank reconstruction methods.

Methods: Two low-rank-based algorithms, image-based locally low-rank (LLR) and k-space-based structured low-rank (SLR), were implemented to accelerate T and T mapping on a 46 mT Halbach MRI scanner. Data were acquired with 3D turbo spin-echo sequences using variable-density poisson-disk random sampling patterns.

Colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma: clinicopathologic analysis of two large cohorts and literature review confirm poor prognosis and reveal prognostic aspects.

Aims: We compiled two cohorts of colorectal adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) to describe its histologic and molecular aspects using modern parameters to compare them with literature reports using meta-analysis of cohorts and individual case series.

Methods And Results: We identified 53 colorectal ASC from 19 North American academic medical centres, in addition to national database reports on 94 Dutch cases. We analysed available clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features and patient outcome.

Characterization of an MR-compatible motion platform for quality assurance of motion-compensated treatments on the 1.5 T MR-linac.

Background: Novel motion-compensated treatment techniques on the MR-linac can address adverse intra-fraction motion effects. These techniques involve beam gating or intra-fraction adaptations of the treatment plan based on real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed during treatment. For quality assurance (QA) of these workflows, a multi-purpose motion platform is desirable.

Biofluid biomarkers in distinguishing young-onset dementia from primary psychiatric disorders.

Purpose Of Review: There has been growing interest in the role of biofluid biomarkers to aid the diagnosis of dementia in older people. However, less attention has been given to younger people who have dementia (young-onset dementia), who frequently experience misdiagnoses of primary psychiatric disorders diagnostic delay and challenges accessing appropriate care.

Recent Findings: We describe 12 studies from the previous 2 years of which the majority have investigated the role of neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid in distinguishing young-onset dementia from primary psychiatric disorders.

Collective dynamics of intelligent active Brownian particles with visual perception and velocity alignment in 3D: spheres, rods, and worms.

Many living systems, such as birds and fish, exhibit collective behaviors like flocking and swarming. Recently, an experimental system of active colloidal particles has been developed, where the motility of each particle is adjusted based on its visual detection of surrounding particles. These particles with visual-perception-dependent motility exhibit group formation and cohesion.

The Nano Exposure Quantifier: a quantitative model for assessing nanoparticle exposure in the workplace.

Exposure to manufactured nanomaterials (MNs) is a growing concern for occupational health and safety. Reliable methods for assessing and predicting MN exposure are essential to mitigate associated risks. This study presents the development of the Nano Exposure Quantifier (NEQ), a mechanistic model designed to assess airborne MN exposure in the workplace.

Redefining elective co-parenting as PACT: a systematic assessment of published concepts and definitions.

Background: There is an increase in the variation of family forms, types of parenthood roles and methods for family formation. One way of family building has most recently been referred to as 'elective co-parenting'. Yet, many other terms and somewhat diverging concept definitions have been put forward.

Lynch syndrome screening in colorectal and endometrial cancers in Iceland.

Background And Purpose: Screening for Lynch syndrome (LS) with mismatch repair (MMR) protein immunohistochemistry (IHC) in all patients with newly diagnosed colorectal (CRC) and endometrial cancer (EC) was implemented in Iceland in 2017. The aim of the study is to assess the accuracy of screening in 2020-2022 and compare it to 2017-2019 when screening was initiated.

Patients/materials And Methods: All patients diagnosed with CRC and EC according to the Icelandic Cancer Registry in 2020-2022 were included.

The ins and outs of unpacking the black box: Understanding motivation using a multi-level approach.

Although higher-level constructs often fail to explain the mechanisms underlying motivation, we argue that purely mechanistic approaches have limitations. Lower-level neural data help us identify "biologically plausible" mechanisms, while higher-level constructs are critical to formulate measurable behavioral outcomes when constructing computational models. Therefore, we propose that a multi-level, multi-measure approach is required to fully unpack the black box of motivated behavior.

There's no such thing as a free lunch: A computational perspective on the costs of motivation.

Understanding the psychological computations underlying motivation can shed light onto motivational constructs as emergent phenomena. According to Murayama and Jach, reward-learning is a key candidate mechanism. However, there's no such thing as a free lunch: Not only benefits (like reward), but also costs inherent to motivated behaviors (like effort, or uncertainty) are an essential part of the picture.

Almost, but not quite there: Research into the emergence of higher-order motivated behavior should fully embrace the dynamic systems approach.

Murayama and Jach rightfully aim to conceptualize motivation as an emergent property of a dynamic system of interacting elements. However, they do not embrace the ontological and paradigmatic constraints of the dynamic systems approach. They therefore miss the very process of emergence and how it can be formally modeled and tested by specific types of computer simulation.

The unboxing has already begun: One motivation construct at a time.

Murayama and Jach argue that it is not clearly specified how motivation constructs produce behavior and that this black box should be unpacked. We argue that the authors overlook important classic theory and highlight recent research programs that already started unboxing. We feel that without relying on the mechanisms that such programs uncover, the proposed computational approach will be fruitless.

iSODA: A Comprehensive Tool for Integrative Omics Data Analysis in Single- and Multi-Omics Experiments.

Thanks to the plummeting costs of continuously evolving omics analytical platforms, research centers collect multiomics data more routinely. They are, however, confronted with the lack of a versatile software solution to harmoniously analyze single-omics and interpret multiomics data. We have developed iSODA, a web-based application for the analysis of single- and multiomics data.

Validation of the PANAMA-Score for Survival and Benefit of Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Cancer After Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX.

Aim: To validate the prognostic value of the PAncreatic NeoAdjuvant MAssachusetts (PANAMA)-score and to determine its predictive ability for survival benefit derived from adjuvant treatment in patients after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) following neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX.

Background: The PANAMA-score was developed to guide prognostication in patients after neoadjuvant therapy and resection for PDAC. As this score focuses on the risk for residual disease after resection, it might also be able to select patients who benefit from adjuvant after neoadjuvant therapy.

Prediction of inpatient mortality in hospitalised children in low- and middle-income countries: An external validation of paediatric mortality risk scores.

Background: Risk prediction tools for acutely ill children have been developed in high- and low-income settings, but few are validated or incorporated into clinical guidelines. We aimed to assess the performance of existing paediatric early warning scores for use in low- and middle-income countries using clinical data from a recent large multi-country study in Africa and South-Asia.

Methods: We used data (children across three nutritional strata) from the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network cohort study (n = 3101).

Challenges in the transition of care for rare connective tissue diseases: results from the 2023 ERN ReCONNET Transition of Care Task Force survey.

Objectives: Two different European Reference Networks cover CTDs with paediatric onset, the European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Connective Tissue Diseases (ERN ReCONNET) and the European Reference Network on Rare Immunological Disorders (ERN RITA). The transition of care is a significant focus, with ReCONNET centres actively addressing this through updated programs. Despite these efforts, challenges persist.