NAC regulates metabolism and cell fate in intestinal stem cells.

Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) face the challenge of integrating metabolic demands with unique regenerative functions. Studies have shown an intricate interplay between metabolism and stem cell capacity; however, it is still not understood how this process is regulated. Combining ribosome profiling and CRISPR screening in intestinal organoids, we identify the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) as a key mediator of this process.

Vaccination Coverage for Medically Indicated Vaccines in a Convenience Sample of Severely Immunocompromised Patients with COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: In recent decades, the number of immunocompromised patients (ICPs) has increased significantly. ICPs have an impaired immune system, making them susceptible to complicated infections. To protect them from infections, ICPs are eligible to receive several medically indicated vaccines.

Pharmacogenetics of Neoadjuvant MAP Chemotherapy in Localized Osteosarcoma: A Study Based on Data from the GEIS-33 Protocol.

Osteosarcoma is a rare disease, but it is the most frequent malignant bone tumor. Primary treatment consists of preoperative MAP (methotrexate (MTX), doxorubicin and cisplatin) chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy is one of the most important prognostic factors, but molecular biomarkers are lacking.

The Use of Tissue Concentrations of Biological and Small-Molecule Therapies in Clinical Studies of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

The introduction of biological therapies has revolutionized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. A critical consideration in developing these therapies is ensuring adequate drug concentrations at the site of action. While blood-based biomarkers have shown limited utility in optimizing treatment (except for TNF-alpha inhibitors and thiopurines), tissue drug concentrations may offer valuable insights.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Leaves and Five Associated Endophytic Fungi.

The exploration of new pharmacological compounds from endophytic fungi offers infinite possibilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts from the leaves of and five of its endophytic fungi and investigate the chemical diversity of the secondary metabolites produced. Isolated, purified, and molecularly identified endophytes and plant leaves were subjected to ethyl acetate extraction.

Variable Assembly and Procapsid Binding of Bacteriophage P22 Terminase Subunits in Solution.

Concatemeric viral DNA is packaged into bacteriophage P22 procapsids via a headful packaging mechanism mediated by a molecular machine consisting of small (gp3) and large (gp2) terminase subunits. Although a negative stain reconstruction exists for the terminase holoenzyme, it is not clear how this complex binds the dodecameric portal protein located at a 5-fold mismatch vertex. Herein, we describe new assemblies for the holoenzyme.

Intestinal Cells-on-Chip for Permeability Studies.

Background: To accurately measure permeability of compounds in the intestine, there is a need for preclinical in vitro models that accurately represent the specificity, integrity and complexity of the human small intestinal barrier. Intestine-on-chip systems hold considerable promise as testing platforms, but several characteristics still require optimization and further development.

Methods: An established intestine-on-chip model for tissue explants was adopted for intestinal cell monolayer culture.

Use of Gain-of-Function Screening to Identify miRNAs Involved in Paclitaxel Resistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Paclitaxel is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer (BC), including as a front-line treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, resistance to paclitaxel remains one of the major causes of death associated with treatment failure. Multiple studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play a role in paclitaxel resistance and are associated with both disease progression and metastasis.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Different Types of Professional Tooth Whitening: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that improves the color of natural teeth, making them whiter and brighter; this review aimed to evaluate the greater effectiveness of in-office, at-home, and combined bleaching with hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, also in relation to possible relapses and side effects (tooth sensitivity).

Methods: A literature search has been carried out through electronic databases, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library, focused on the use of the effectiveness of in-office, at-home, and combined dental bleaching. This review has been registered on PROSPERO (ID613248).

Reply to Onkenhout et al. Comment on "van Gemert et al. Child Abuse, Misdiagnosed by an Expertise Center-Part II-Misuse of Bayes' Theorem. 2023, , 843".

We thank the authors for their Comments [...

Comment on van Gemert et al. Child Abuse, Misdiagnosed by an Expertise Center-Part II-Misuse of Bayes' Theorem. 2023, , 843.

Recently, part I and part II of a series of three papers were published, namely the papers by Vlaming et al [...

Antimicrobial Usage and Antimicrobial Resistance in Commensal from Broiler Farms: A Farm-Level Analysis in West Java, Indonesia.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat, with antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock recognized as a significant driver. This study examines farm-level AMU and AMR as well as the relationship between AMU and AMR on broiler farms in Indonesia. Data were collected from 19 farms in West Java between 2019 and 2021 to examine AMU in depth across four to five successive production cycles.

Duration of Antibiotic Treatment for Foot Osteomyelitis in People with Diabetes.

The optimal antimicrobial treatment duration for diabetes-related foot osteomyelitis (DFO) currently needs to be determined. We systematically reviewed the effects of short and long treatment durations on outcomes of DFO. We performed a systematic review searching Cochrane, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL Plus from inception up to 19 January 2024.

Clinical Introduction of Stem Cell Sparing Radiotherapy to Reduce the Risk of Xerostomia in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

Background/objectives: Studies have shown that dose to the parotid gland stem cell rich (SCR) regions should be reduced to lower the risk of xerostomia after radiotherapy (RT). This study aimed to assess whether stem cell sparing (SCS)-RT can be adopted in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Multiple planning studies were performed to compare SCS-RT with standard (ST)-RT using 30 head and neck cancer patients.

Adding Anti-HER2 Therapy to Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy Seems Effective in Hormone Receptor and HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patients Unfit for Chemotherapy: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

: Data are lacking on the optimal neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) for women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer if they are unfit to receive the combination of chemotherapy and anti-HER2 therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether the rates of ypT0 and ypN0 differ between patients treated with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) versus NET combined with anti-HER2 therapy (NET+aHER2). : Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry were analysed to identify women diagnosed with primary HR+/HER2+ breast cancer between 2008 and 2019, treated with either NET or NET+aHER2.

Advancing District Nursing Care Through a Learning Healthcare System: A Viewpoint on Key Requirements.

The increasing complexity of healthcare needs driven by an ageing population places pressure on district nursing care. Many vulnerable older adults prefer to remain at home, requiring care coordinated with general practitioners and other professionals. This demand for integrated care is further challenged by a shortage of nursing professionals and the lack of standardised approaches to measure care quality.

The Slovenian Version of the Thirst Distress Scale for Patients with Heart Failure: Translation and Psychometric Evaluation.

Unlabelled: Thirst is a common symptom in patients with heart failure (HF), which can cause a high degree of distress. Increased fluid intake due to thirst can lead to clinical deterioration because of shifts in volume status. The thirst assessment should be included in routine patient follow-up; however, only a limited set of validated instruments are available.

Nephron-sparing Surgery for Pediatric Renal Tumors After Centralization of Pediatric Oncology Care in the Netherlands: Improved Outcomes With 3D Modeling.

Background And Aim: In this retrospective single center cohort study, we report the surgical outcomes of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for Wilms' tumor (WT) patients since centralization of pediatric oncology care in the Netherlands, and implementation of technological advancements. Therewith we describe the influence of experience and innovations for this type of surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed all NSS procedures from January 1st 2015 until January 1st 2024 for patients who underwent surgery for a renal tumor at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology.

Bluetongue virus serotype 12 in sheep and cattle in the Netherlands in 2024 - A BTV serotype reported in Europe for the first time.

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral vector borne disease primarily affecting ruminants such as sheep, cattle, and goats. On 3 September 2023, the Netherlands reported the first case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3/NET2023)), after being BTV free for eleven years. Vaccination with inactivated BT vaccines for serotype 3 has been applied in the Netherlands since May 2024.

Electronic cigarette usage amongst high school students in South Africa: a mixed methods approach.

Background: The WHO has highlighted that: "promotion of e-cigarettes has led to marked increases in e-cigarette use by children and adolescents." The long-term neuropsychiatric and psychological consequences of substance abuse in adolescence is well recognised. Limited data exists on the adolescent burden of vaping-related nicotine addiction and behavioural and/or psychological dependence to guide pharmacological or behavioural interventions to stop electronic cigarette usage.

Biosecurity measures reducing spp. and hepatitis E virus prevalence in pig farms-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

spp. and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are significant foodborne zoonotic pathogens that impact the health of livestock, farmers, and the general public. This study aimed to identify biosecurity measures (BSMs) against these pathogens on swine farms in Europe, the United States, and Canada.

'We need to be part of the solution': lessons from the 2024 PPRI Conference on ensuring access to affordable medicines through innovative policies.

On 25-26 April 2024, the 5th PPRI (Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information) Conference on ensuring equitable access to affordable medicines took place in Vienna (Austria). Twenty-four accepted contributions were presented either as oral presentations or posters, adding to invited keynote lectures, stakeholder debates and workshops. The global multi-stakeholder audience discussed a range of approaches in pharmaceutical policies, which have the potential to successfully and sustainably address current and future challenges in ensuring patient access to affordable medicines globally.

Biglycan-driven risk stratification in ZFTA-RELA fusion supratentorial ependymomas through transcriptome profiling.

Recent genomic studies have allowed the subdivision of intracranial ependymomas into molecularly distinct groups with highly specific clinical features and outcomes. The majority of supratentorial ependymomas (ST-EPN) harbor ZFTA-RELA fusions which were designated, in general, as an intermediate risk tumor variant. However, molecular prognosticators within ST-EPN ZFTA-RELA have not been determined yet.

Understanding the dynamics driving obesity in socioeconomically deprived urban neighbourhoods: an expert-based systems map.

Background: Over the past decades, the prevalence of obesity among adults has rapidly increased, particularly in socioeconomically deprived urban neighbourhoods. To better understand the complex mechanisms behind this trend, we created a system map exposing the underlying system driving obesity prevalence in socioeconomically deprived urban neighbourhoods over the last three decades in the Netherlands.

Methods: We conducted Group Model Building (GMB) sessions with a group of thirteen interdisciplinary experts to develop a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) of the obesogenic system.