Therapeutic drug monitoring of monoclonal antibodies in chronic inflammatory diseases: A snapshot of laboratories and applications across Europe.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action ENOTTA (The European Network on Optimising Treatment with Therapeutic Antibodies in chronic inflammatory diseases) was launched in 2022. To pave the way for harmonization of analytical methods for quantitation of serum levels of therapeutic antibodies in research and clinical settings, ENOTTA recently performed an online survey mapping laboratories in the field. The survey, which contained 30 questions surrounding therapeutic drug monitoring of relevant drugs and anti-drug antibodies, was distributed via the ENOTTA and European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory networks.

Use of genotypic HIV DNA testing: a DELPHI-type consensus.

Objectives: As many disparities in the clinical use of HIV DNA sequencing are observed, a DELPHI-type consensus was initiated in France to homogenize use, techniques and interpretation of results.

Methods: Based on a literature review and clinical experience, a steering committee (SC) of eight virologists and one infectious disease specialist formulated statements. Statements were submitted to an independent and anonymous electronic vote of virologists and HIV clinicians in France, between October 2022 and December 2022.

The epoxiconazole and tebuconazole fungicides impair granulosa cells functions partly through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signalling with contrasted effects in obese, normo-weight and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), frequently associated to obesity, is the main reproductive disorder in women in age to procreate. Some evidence suggests that pesticides can result in alterations of the female reproductive system, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Here, we detected two fungicides, Tebuconazole (Tb) and Epoxiconazole (Epox) in the soils and waters of French area.

General practice-related MeSH terms in main journals: a bibliometric analysis from 2011 to 2021.

Background: There are various Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms used to index general practice research, without consistency.

Aim: To understand how general practice-related research is indexed in the main general practice journals between 2011 and 2021, and to analyse the factors that influenced the choice of the general practice-related MeSH.

Design And Setting: This was a quantitative bibliometric study conducted on MEDLINE.

Outcomes for clinical trials involving adults with chronic kidney disease: a multinational Delphi survey involving patients, caregivers and health professionals.

Background: Many outcomes of high priority to patients and clinicians are infrequently and inconsistently reported across trials in chronic kidney disease (CKD), which generates research waste and limits evidence-informed decision making. We aimed to generate consensus among patients/caregivers and health professionals on critically important outcomes for trials in CKD prior to kidney failure and the need for kidney replacement therapy, and to describe the reasons for their choices.

Methods: This was an online two-round international Delphi survey.

Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel Versus Gemcitabine Alone After 5-Fluorouracil, Oxaliplatin, and Irinotecan in Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Randomized Phase III PRODIGE 65-UCGI 36-GEMPAX UNICANCER Study.

Purpose: GEMPAX was an open-label, randomized phase III clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel versus gemcitabine alone as second-line treatment for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) who previously received 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.

Methods: Patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed mPDAC were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive GEMPAX (paclitaxel 80 mg/m + gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m; IV; once at day (D) 1, D8, and D15/arm A) or gemcitabine (arm B) alone once at D1, D8, and D15 every 28 days until progression, toxicity, or patient's decision. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF PERINATAL MEDICINE (EAPM) EUROPEAN MIDWIVES ASSOCIATION (EMA) Joint position statement: Caesarean delivery rates at a country level should be in the 15-20 % range.

While cesarean deliveries performed for health indications can save lives, unnecessary cesareans cause unjustifiable health risks for the mother, newborn, and for future pregnancies. Previous recommendations for cesarean delivery rates at a country level in the 10-15% range are currently unrealistic, and the proposed concept that striving to achieve specific rates is not important has resulted in a confusing message reaching healthcare professionals and the public. It is important to have a clear understanding of when cesarean delivery rates are deviating from internationally acceptable ranges, to trigger the implementation of healthcare policies needed to correct this problem.

Branched pegylated linker-auristatin to control hydrophobicity for the production of homogeneous minibody-drug conjugate against HER2-positive breast cancer.

Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®) was the first antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2013 against a solid tumor, and the first ADC to treat human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer. However, this second generation ADC is burden by several limitations included heterogeneity, limited activity against heterogeneous tumor (regarding antigen expression) and suboptimal tumor penetration. To address this, different development strategies are oriented towards homogeneous conjugation, new drugs, optimized linkers and/or smaller antibody formats.

Providing information about medication changes upon discharge from a geriatric unit: the community healthcare professionals' point of view.

Introduction: It is well known that polypharmacy is associated with adverse drug events. Accordingly, specialist geriatric units have to pay particular attention to the appropriateness of prescription and the withdrawal of potentially inappropriate medications. Even though community healthcare professionals are keen to received medication reconciliation results, the literature data show that the quality of communication between the hospital and the community needs to be improved.

An investigation of structural, thermal, and electrical conductivity properties for understanding transport mechanisms of CuWO and α-CuMoO compounds.

Recently, inorganic oxide components with high ionic conductivity have been widely explored due to their high stability, safety, and energy density properties. In this context, the present work focuses on the inorganic oxides CuMO (M = W, Mo), which have been successfully synthesized using the traditional solid-state method. They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analysis, and complex impedance spectroscopy.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach in neutrophil-mediated inflammatory disease.

Neutrophils have a critical role in the innate immune response to infection and the control of inflammation. A key component of this process is the release of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), primarily neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, cathepsin G, and NSP4, which have essential functions in immune modulation and tissue repair following injury. Normally, NSP activity is controlled and modulated by endogenous antiproteases.

SNPs-Panel Polymorphism Variations in and Genes Are Not Associated with Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major public health problem worldwide. Recent studies have suggested that ghrelin and its receptor could be involved in the susceptibility to several cancers such as PCa, leading to their use as an important predictive way for the clinical progression and prognosis of cancer. However, conflicting results of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with ghrelin () and its receptor () genes were demonstrated in different studies.

Evaluation of a computational model for mycetoma-causative agents identification.

Background: The therapeutic strategy for mycetoma relies heavily on the identification of the causative agents, which are either fungal or bacterial. While histopathological examination of surgical biopsies is currently the most used diagnostic tool, it requires well-trained pathologists, who are lacking in most rural areas where mycetoma is endemic. In this work we propose and evaluate a machine learning approach that semi-automatically analyses histopathological microscopic images of grains and provides a classification of the disease as eumycetoma or actinomycetoma.

The proteolytic airway environment associated with pneumonia acts as a barrier for treatment with anti-infective antibodies.

Like pneumonia, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a massive infiltration of innate immune cells (such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes) into the airways and alveolar spaces. These cells release proteases that may degrade therapeutic antibodies and thus limit their effectiveness. Here, we investigated the in vitro and ex vivo impact on anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) IgG1s and other IgG subclasses (IgG2 and IgG4) of the neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3 and cathepsin G (the three main neutrophil serine proteases) found in endotracheal aspirates from patients with severe COVID-19.

'One River, Two Systems': Hong Kong's River Management.

Hong Kong (HK), one of the world's most densely populated metropolises, is home to over 200 rivers and streams extending about 2500 km in length. During the 1970s-1990s, most of these rivers were converted into artificial canals, to which the local society pays little attention. Since the 2010s, the HK government has initiated river revitalization to enhance the social-environmental roles of rivers.

Synthesis of a Stable and High-Concentration BaHfTiO Sol-Gel for High Electromechanical Performance of Bulk Ceramics.

Lead-based materials are widely used in piezoceramics due to their high electromechanical properties. However, due to environmental protection and sustainable development, the use of the toxic element lead (Pb) in electronic devices is strictly restricted, therefore requiring the rapid development of piezoelectric-based devices with lead-free ceramics. In this context, a lead-free doped barium titanate was studied with a dual objective.

Study of the Relationship between Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Burnout Syndrome among Speech and Language Therapists.

Background: Burnout syndrome can arise due to either situational factors such as working conditions, or dispositional factors such as certain temperaments, like a high sensory processing sensitivity. We aim to address the relative absence of studies on speech-language therapists and seek to determine the role of high sensitivity for these healthcare workers in relation to burnout syndrome.

Method: The sample consisted of 602 female speech-language pathologists who anonymously completed a questionnaire measuring burnout (ProQOL 5th edition) and sensory processing sensitivity (HSPS-FR).

Counteracting tryptophan metabolism alterations as a new therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Alterations in tryptophan (Trp) metabolism have been reported in inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, understanding whether these alterations participate in RA development and can be considered putative therapeutic targets remains undetermined.In this study, we combined quantitative Trp metabolomics in the serum from patients with RA and corrective administration of a recombinant enzyme in experimental arthritis to address this question.

Research Note: Intestinal avian defensin 2 and robustness of chicks.

Poultry production is an important agricultural sector for human food worldwide. Chicks after hatch often face health problems leading to economic losses that are deleterious for breeders. Avian defensin 2 (AvBD2) is a prominent host defense peptide of the intestinal mucosa of cecum and is involved in the resistance of poultry to bacterial pathogens.

Towards a mathematical understanding of invasion resistance in multispecies communities.

Multispecies community composition and dynamics are key to health and disease across biological systems, a prominent example being microbial ecosystems. Explaining the forces that govern diversity and resilience in the microbial consortia making up our body's defences remains a challenge. In this, theoretical models are crucial, to bridge the gap between species dynamics and underlying mechanisms and to develop analytic insight.