A Glutamate Receptor-Like Gene AtGLR25 With Its Unusual Splice Variant Has a Role in Mediating Glutamate-Elicited Changes in Arabidopsis Root Architecture.

The occurrence of external L-glutamate at the Arabidopsis root tip triggers major changes in root architecture, but the mechanism of -L-Glu sensing is unknown. Members of the family of GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR-LIKE (GLR) proteins are known to act as amino acid-gated Ca-permeable channels and to have signalling roles in diverse plant processes. To investigate the possible role of GLRs in the root architectural response to L-Glu, we screened a collection of mutants with T-DNA insertions in each of the 20 AtGLR genes.

Efficacy and safety of daprodustat in patients on peritoneal dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial.

Background And Hypothesis: Daprodustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with CKD in some parts of the world. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of daprodustat versus darbepoetin alfa in patients with anemia of CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: ASCEND-D (NCT02879305) was an open-label, Phase 3 trial; patients with CKD were randomized to daprodustat daily and epoetin alfa (HD patients) or darbepoetin alfa (PD patients).

Digital neural loops - a common anatomical surprise.

In a recent operation, we unexpectedly encountered a digital neural loop in the palm. To our surprise we found out that these have a high prevalence but a survey that we carried out showed that there is a low clinical awareness of them. V.

A systematic review of variables associated with snakebite risk in spatial and temporal analyses.

Background: Snakebite is a priority neglected tropical disease, but incidence data are lacking; current estimates rely upon incomplete health facility reports or ad hoc surveys. Spatial analysis methods harness statistical associations between case incidence and spatially varying factors to improve estimates. This systematic review aimed to identify variables associated with snakebite risk in spatial and temporal analyses for inclusion in geospatial studies to improve risk estimation accuracy.

Mitigating triplet loss in 2D WSe/non-fullerene heterostructures using halogenated acceptors.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) can be combined with organic semiconductors to form hybrid van der Waals heterostructures. Specially, non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) stand out due to their excellent absorption and exciton diffusion properties. Here, we couple monolayer tungsten diselenide (ML-WSe) with two well performing NFAs, ITIC, and IT-4F (fluorinated ITIC) to achieve hybrid architectures.

Efficacy and safety of triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for the management of obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Retatrutide is a novel triple hormone receptor agonist which has shown great promise in tackling obesity in preliminary trials. We did this systematic review and meta-analysis to pool the results of all available trials and ascertain its safety and efficacy in the treatment of obesity.

Material And Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central and Embase using appropriate search terms and randomized control trials (RCTs) were identified which reported the safety and efficacy of retatrutide.

Inflammatory Potential of the Diet and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Association between dietary factors and the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been studied extensively. However, identification of deleterious dietary patterns merits further study.

Aim: To investigate the risk of developing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) according to the inflammatory score of the diet (ISD) in the multinational European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

Proteomic profiling of the large-vessel vasculitis spectrum identifies shared signatures of innate immune activation and stromal remodelling.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), can result in serious morbidity. Understanding the molecular basis of LVV should aid in developing better biomarkers and treatments.

Methods: Plasma proteomic profiling of 184 proteins was performed in two cohorts.

Atmospheric Deposition of Microplastics in South Central Appalachia in the United States.

Due to the increased prevalence of plastic pollution globally, atmospheric deposition of microplastics (MPs) is a significant issue that needs to be better understood to identify potential consequences for human health. This study is the first to quantify and characterize atmospheric MP deposition in the Eastern United States. Passive sampling was conducted at two locations within the Eastern United States, specifically in remote South Central Appalachia, from March to September 2023.

Medusa's gaze: Cell traces and fibrils but no collagen in permineralized Jurassic ichthyosaur bone.

Bone is formed by specialized cells whose activity allows bone to grow, change shape, and repair itself. Its composite structure of collagen fibrils and bioapatite nanocrystals gives bone exceptional mechanical strength. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show in fossil ichthyosaurs, 150 to 200 million years old, from the Jurassic of France and the UK, abundant and direct evidence of cellular activity on the fossilized forming, resting, and resorbing surfaces of bone trabeculae, as well as bone fibrils, Sharpey fibers, and cartilage fibers.

Ectopic Thyrotropin-Secreting Tumor in the Nasopharynx Causing Central Hyperthyroidism.

We report a 31-year-old man with diarrhea and tachycardia. Diagnostic workup confirmed raised free thyroid hormones with unsuppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Laboratory assay and medication interference were excluded.

Unraveling the landscape of pediatric pancreatic tumors: Insights from Japan.

Pediatric pancreatic tumors, though rare, pose significant diagnostic and management challenges. The recent, 22-year nationwide survey on pediatric pancreatic tumors in Japan by Makita offers valuable insights into this uncommon entity, revealing striking geographical variations and questioning current treatment paradigms. This editorial commentary analyzes the study's key findings, including the predominance of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms and their younger age of onset, which contrast sharply with Western data.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy in People With Diabetes Mellitus in Six Countries: A Multicenter Observational Study From 1996 to 2022.

To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CNO) and to examine for differences between participants with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Multicenter observational study in eight diabetic foot clinics in six countries between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2022. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were obtained from the medical records.

Ethnic Differences in Atrial Fibrillation in the United Kingdom.

Background: Within the United States, White individuals experience a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) while exhibiting a lower AF-related stroke risk compared to other ethnic groups. It is possible that these observations stem from phenomena unique to the United States, such as differential health care access. The United Kingdom provides socialized medicine, which ostensibly promotes equitable health care access.

Healthy Plant-Based Diet, Genetic Predisposition, and the Risk of Incident Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Plant-based dietary patterns are becoming increasingly popular due to environmental and health impacts, yet there are few studies exploring the relationship between plant-based dietary patterns and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in different genetic backgrounds.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate how plant-based dietary pattern and genetic susceptibility independently or jointly affect VTE and its subtypes of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.

Methods: A total of 183,510 participants who were White British ethnicity background and free of VTE at baseline in the UK Biobank were recruited, in consideration that the selection of genetic variants for VTE was based on results of White European individuals.

Effect of chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries on cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has significantly advanced the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS), particularly in elderly patients who often have coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD). Chronic total occlusion (CTO), a severe form of CAD, may negatively impact outcomes in TAVR patients, though data are limited. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of CTO on TAVR outcomes.

Strong Association Between HIV Incidence and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Zambia and South Africa: Prospective Data From the HPTN 071 (PopART) Trial.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) is an important cofactor for HIV acquisition and transmission. Associations between the infections are reexamined in longitudinal data from an HIV prevention trial.

Methods: The HPTN 071 (PopART) trial evaluated a combination prevention intervention in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South Africa.

Sex differences in atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the Kerala-AF registry.

Background: Much data informing sex differences in atrial fibrillation (AF) comes from Western cohorts. In this analysis, we describe sex differences in Kerala, India, using the Kerala-AF registry-the largest AF registry from the Indian subcontinent.

Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years were recruited from 53 hospitals across Kerala.

Management of patients following implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy-The importance of a multifaceted approach.

Background: The most effective way to treat patients following a first ICD therapy is unclear. We hypothesised that following first ICD therapy, combining different treatment strategies would be associated with a reduction in the risk of subsequent therapy compared to single strategies alone.

Methods: Data was collected from consecutive patients undergoing ICD implantation at King's College Hospital between January 2009 and December 2019.

Functional soft palate reconstruction.

Background: The excision of oropharyngeal carcinoma of more than 50% of the soft palate followed by static reconstruction may result in functional deficits, including velopharyngeal insufficiency, swallowing, and speech difficulties. We describe a functional soft palate reconstruction technique aimed at restoring aeromechanical and acoustic functions, enabling swallowing without nasal regurgitation and speech with low nasalance.

Material And Methods: We developed a new operative technique, using muscle transfer and a free flap to create a dynamic reconstruction.

Nitrogen Enriched Tröger's Base Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity for Heterogeneous Catalysis.

Heterogeneous catalysis is significantly enhanced by the use of highly porous polymers with specific functionalities, such as basic groups, which accelerate reaction rates. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) provide a unique platform for catalytic reactions owing to their high surface areas and customizable pore structures. We herein report a series of Tröger's base polymers (TB-PIMs) with enhanced basicity, achieved through the incorporation of nitrogen-containing groups into their repeat units, such as triazine and triphenylamine.

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.

Developmental screening tools for identification of children with developmental difficulties in high-income countries: a systematic review.

Objective: To examine and synthesize the literature on the use of universal developmental screening and surveillance tools in high-income countries in relation to (1) psychometric properties; (2) knowledge, acceptability, and feasibility of tools; and (3) follow-up taken following screening/surveillance.

Method: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed in the PsychInfo, PubMed, and Embase databases. Studies published in the English language were included if they reported results evaluating a universal developmental screening or surveillance measurement tool.

Poor written pragmatic skills are associated with internalising symptoms in childhood: evidence from a UK birth cohort study.

Introduction: This study examined the relation between pragmatic language and internalising (depressive and anxiety) symptoms in 11-year-olds, using data from the 1958 British birth cohort study.

Methods: The cohort children were asked at age 11 to write an essay on their life as they imagined it would be at age 25. We analysed 200 of these essays for relevance, organisation and context-dependent references.