CaML: Chemistry-informed machine learning explains mutual changes between protein conformations and calcium ions in calcium-binding proteins using structural and topological features.

Proteins' flexibility is a feature in communicating changes in cell signaling instigated by binding with secondary messengers, such as calcium ions, associated with the coordination of muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and gene expression. When binding with the disordered parts of a protein, calcium ions must balance their charge states with the shape of calcium-binding proteins and their versatile pool of partners depending on the circumstances they transmit. Accurately determining the ionic charges of those ions is essential for understanding their role in such processes.

Engineered protein G variants for multifunctional antibody-based assemblies.

We have developed a portfolio of antibody-based modules that can be prefabricated as standalone units and snapped together in plug-and-play fashion to create uniquely powerful multifunctional assemblies. The basic building blocks are derived from multiple pairs of native and modified Fab scaffolds and protein G (PG) variants engineered by phage display to introduce high pair-wise specificity. The variety of possible Fab-PG pairings provides a highly orthogonal system that can be exploited to perform challenging cell biology operations in a straightforward manner.

Likes and Hashtags: Exploring the Potential Relationship Between Social Media use and the Emotional Wellbeing of Oncology Professionals.

Purpose: To explore the potential relationship between social media (SoMe) and burnout or overall wellbeing within the field of oncology.

Design: A cross-sectional study of adult and pediatric oncology professionals conducted using an anonymous electronic survey. The survey was disseminated through the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the SWOG Cancer Research Network (SWOG) member listservs.

Progressive Approaches in Oncological Diagnosis and Surveillance: Real-Time Impedance-Based Techniques and Advanced Algorithms.

Cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, necessitating the development of innovative diagnostic techniques capable of early detection and differentiation of tumor/cancerous cells from their healthy counterparts. This review focuses on the confluence of advanced computational algorithms with noninvasive, label-free impedance-based biophysical methodologies-techniques that assess biological processes directly without the need for external markers or dyes. This review elucidates a diverse array of state-of-the-art impedance-based technologies, illuminating distinct electrical signatures inherent to cancer vs healthy tissues.

Modeling the response to interleukin-21 to inform natural killer cell immunotherapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells are emerging agents for cancer therapy. Several different cytokines are used to generate NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 in solution, and membrane-bound IL-21. These cytokines drive NK cell activation through the integration of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways, which overlap and synergize, making it challenging to predict optimal cytokine combinations for both proliferation and cytotoxicity.

Abuse potential and analgesic efficacy of intravenous hydromorphone bolus administration among hospitalized patients with cancer pain: A double-blind, double dummy, randomized crossover trial.

Background: There is much concern that opioids administered as intravenous (iv) bolus for pain relief may inadvertently increase their risk for abuse. However, there is insufficient data to support this. The authors compared the abuse liability potential, analgesic efficacy, and adverse effect profile of fast (iv push) versus slow (iv piggyback) administration of iv hydromorphone among hospitalized patients requiring iv opioids for pain.

Gene-Air Pollution Interaction and Diversity of Genetic Sampling: The Southern California Children's Health Study.

Gene-environment interactions have been observed for childhood asthma, however few have been assessed in ethnically diverse populations. Thus, we examined how polygenic risk score (PRS) modifies the association between ambient air pollution exposure (nitrogen dioxide [NO], ozone, particulate matter < 2.5 and < 10 μm) and childhood asthma incidence in a diverse cohort.

Noninvasive in vivo imaging of macrophages: understanding tumor microenvironments and delivery of therapeutics.

Macrophages are pivotal in the body's defense and response to inflammation. They are present in significant numbers and are widely implicated in various diseases, including cancer. While molecular and histological techniques have advanced our understanding of macrophage biology, their precise function within the cancerous microenvironments remains underexplored.

Advances in Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening for Dominant Monogenic Conditions: A Review of Current Progress and Future Directions in Clinical Implementation.

Prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening has advanced significantly, extending beyond detecting aneuploidies to sub-chromosomal copy number variations. However, its application for screening dominant single-gene conditions, often caused by de novo variants, remains underutilized in the general obstetric population. This study reviews recent data and experience on prenatal cfDNA screening for dominant monogenic conditions using multiple-gene panels, highlighting its potential to enhance early detection and management of genetic disorders.

Longitudinal measures of peripheral optical quality in young children.

Purpose: To assess longitudinal changes in optical quality across the periphery (horizontal meridian, 60°) in young children who are at high (HR) or low risk (LR) of developing myopia, as well as a small subgroup of children who developed myopia over a 3-year time frame.

Methods: Aberrations were measured every 6 months in 92 children with functional emmetropia at baseline. Children were classified into HR or LR based on baseline refractive error and parental myopia.

Circulating Tumor DNA as a Marker of Recurrence Risk in Stage III Colorectal Cancer: The α-CORRECT Study.

Background And Objectives: Identification of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at high risk of recurrence could be of substantial clinical use. We evaluated the association of ctDNA status, using a tumor-informed assay, with recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: Stage III CRC patients were enrolled between 2016 and 2020.

Single-cell transcriptomics identify a novel macrophage population associated with bone invasion in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Bone-invasive Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (BI PitNETs) epitomize an aggressive subtype of pituitary tumors characterized by bone invasion, culminating in extensive skull base bone destruction and fragmentation. This infiltration poses a significant surgical risk due to potential damage to vital nerves and arteries. However, the mechanisms underlying bone invasion caused by PitNETs remain elusive, and effective interventions for PitNET-induced bone invasion are lacking in clinical practice.

Cryo-EM SPR structures of Salmonella typhimurium ArnC; the key enzyme in lipid-A modification conferring polymyxin resistance.

Polymyxins are last-resort antimicrobial peptides administered clinically against multi-drug resistant bacteria, specifically in the case of Gram-negative species. However, an increasing number of these pathogens employ a defense strategy that involves a relay of enzymes encoded by the pmrE (ugd) loci and the arnBCDTEF operon. The pathway modifies the lipid-A component of the outer membrane (OM) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by adding a 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose (L-Ara4N) headgroup, which renders polymyxins ineffective.

Cardio-renal effect of dapagliflozin and dapagliflozin- saxagliptin combination on CD34 + ve hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and podocyte specific markers in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) subjects: a randomized trial.

Introduction: Effects of Dapagliflozin (Dapa) and Dapagliflozin-Saxagliptin combination (Combo) was examined on peripheral blood derived CD34 + Hematopoetic Stem Cells (HSCs) as a cellular CVD biomarker. Both Dapa (a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 or SGLT2, receptor inhibitor) and Saxagliptin (a Di-peptydl-peptidase-4 or DPP4 enzyme inhibitor) are commonly used type 2 diabetes mellitus or T2DM medications, however the benefit of using the combination has not been evaluated for cardio-renal risk assessment, in a real-life practice setting, compared to a placebo.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that Dapa will improve the outcomes when compared to placebo and the Combo maybe even more beneficial.

Ultrasound-Based Local Lung Motion Assessment Using Synthetic Lateral Phase.

Background: Ultrasound lung surface motion measurement is valuable for the evaluation of a variety of diseases. Speckle tracking or Doppler-based techniques are limited by the loss of visualization as a tracked point moves under ribs or is dependent.

Methods: We developed a synthetic lateral phase-based algorithm for tracking lung motion to overcome these limitations.

A rare intersection: squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil and the anti-TIF1 syndrome masquerade.

Background: Dermatomyositis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting muscles and skin, often associated with an increased risk of cancer. Specific autoantibodies, including anti-TIF1 (Transcription Intermediary Factor 1), have been linked to this risk. We present a case of dermatomyositis in a male patient positive for anti-TIF1 antibodies, subsequently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, a novel association not previously documented.

Semaphorin-4D signaling in recruiting dental stem cells for vascular stabilization.

Background: Achieving a stable vasculature is crucial for tissue regeneration. Endothelial cells initiate vascular morphogenesis, followed by mural cells that stabilize new vessels. This study investigated the in vivo effects of Sema4D-Plexin-B1 signaling on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED)-supported angiogenesis, focusing on its mechanism in PDGF-BB secretion.

Serum Periostin is Able to Stratify Type 2-Dominant Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a heterogeneous disease composed of different endotypes. It is important to develop useful biomarkers for endotyping UC; however, available biomarkers are insufficient. We have already established that periostin is a surrogate biomarker of type 2 inflammation.

Feasibility and accuracy of continuous intraabdominal pressure monitoring with a capsular device in human pilot trial.

Background: Intrabdominal pressure (IAP) is an important parameter. Elevated IAP can reduce visceral perfusion, lead to intraabdominal hypertension, and result in life-threatening abdominal compartment syndrome. While ingestible capsular devices have been used for various abdominal diagnoses, their application in continuous IAP monitoring remains unproven.

The association of travel distance and other patient characteristics with breast cancer stage at diagnosis and treatment completion at a rural Rwandan cancer facility.

Background: Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence (BCCOE) was founded to serve Rwanda's rural low-income population, providing subsidized cancer diagnosis and treatment with transport stipends for the lowest-income patients. We examined whether travel distance to BCCOE was associated with advanced-stage diagnoses and treatment completion.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using medical record data from BCCOE patients with pathologically-confirmed breast cancer from 2012-2016.

Exploring the Clinical Diversity of Castleman Disease and TAFRO Syndrome: A Japanese Multicenter Study on Lymph Node Distribution Patterns.

Individuals diagnosed with Castleman disease (CD) and TAFRO syndrome (characterized by thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, bone marrow fibrosis, and organomegaly) displays a wide range of clinical symptoms, including varying patterns of lymph node enlargement, systemic inflammation, and impaired organ function. Some patients may present with both CD and TAFRO syndrome concurrently. A retrospective study conducted across multiple centers in Japan examined 321 cases to determine if the quantity and position of swollen lymph nodes could forecast the clinical progression and intensity of these conditions.

Development and validation of an EHR-based risk prediction model for geriatric patients undergoing urgent and emergency surgery.

Background: Clinical determination of patients at high risk of poor surgical outcomes is complex and may be supported by clinical tools to summarize the patient's own personalized electronic health record (EHR) history and vitals data through predictive risk models. Since prior models were not readily available for EHR-integration, our objective was to develop and validate a risk stratification tool, named the Assessment of Geriatric Emergency Surgery (AGES) score, predicting risk of 30-day major postoperative complications in geriatric patients under consideration for urgent and emergency surgery using pre-surgical existing electronic health record (EHR) data.

Methods: Patients 65-years and older undergoing urgent or emergency non-cardiac surgery within 21 hospitals 2017-2021 were used to develop the model (randomly split: 80% training, 20% test).

A mixed-methods observational study of strategies for success in implementation science: overcoming emergency departments hurdles.

Background: Heart failure is a major public health concern, affecting 6.7 million Americans. An estimated 16% of emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are discharged home.

Quality End-of-Life Cancer Care: An Unfulfilled but Achievable Imperative.

Background: Disease-focus management of late-stage cancer without addressing patients' preferences or quality of life (QoL) can lead to unsatisfactory patient and disease outcomes.

Methods: A PRISMA-adherent systematic review of the literature was conducted via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar to assess the current late-stage cancer treatment modality, setting, timing, and cost, their impact on patient and disease outcomes, and possible interventions for improvement.

Results: Out of many studies, twelve from North America, Western Europe, and Asia met our inclusion criteria.