T-cell Engagers in Prostate Cancer.

Owing to the "cold" tumor immune microenvironment of prostate cancer, immune-targeting agents have shown limited efficacy in patients with advanced prostate cancer, highlighting the need for new therapies with novel mechanisms of action. In this context, T-cell engagers (TCEs), which induce T-cell-mediated killing of cancer cells by binding the CD3 receptor on T cells and a specific tumor antigen expressed on malignant cells, represent a promising therapeutic option. Multiple studies have explored the use of TCEs in previously treated patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and several ongoing trials are currently assessing novel TCEs either as single agents or in combinatorial regimens with molecules with a distinct mechanism of action (eg, androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and other immune-targeting agents).

A Square Peg in A Round Hole: Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes in Canada in 2024.

Introduction: Diabetes self-management often occurs in social contexts, around others without diabetes. International consensus identifies the pervasive presence of social stigma towards those with diabetes, negatively impacting health, well-being, social and professional lives. We aimed to determine the social experiences of Canadian adults living with type 1(T2D) or type 2 (T2D) diabetes.

Effectiveness of Grief Camps in Supporting Bereaved Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Experiencing the death of a loved one is a stressful and disruptive event that can have short-term and long-term detrimental effects on the grief, mental health, and social functioning of the bereaved individuals. Grief camps represent a relatively novel form of support. However, little is known about their effectiveness.

Incidence of Scrub Typhus in Rural South India.

Background: Hospital studies suggest that scrub typhus is a leading cause of severe undifferentiated fever in regions across Asia where the disease is endemic, but the population-based incidence of infection and illness has been little studied.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study to assess epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of scrub typhus in 37 villages in Tamil Nadu, India, where the disease is highly endemic. Study participants were visited every 6 to 8 weeks over a period of 2 years; a venous blood sample was obtained from those who had had fever since the last visit.

Nurses, Chaplains, Clergy and Measurement Scales.

Much of the research in this issue relates to the long-standing profession of nursing and, secondly, the even longer established professions of chaplaincy and the clergy. This issue also provides evidence of the ever-increasing number of religious and spirituality measurement scales, as well as various other forms of religious and/or spiritual evaluations and the associated psychometric properties. Several articles researching religiosity/spirituality, however, identify common research limitations, in particular the error of using contaminated scales and the need to avoid tautological and uninterpretable results.

Innovative care models: Expanding nurses' and optometrists' roles in ophthalmology.

The expanding demands of healthcare necessitate novel methods of increasing the supply of trained professionals to enhance the delivery of care services. One means of doing so is to expand allied health professionals' scope of practice. This paper explores the ethics of two examples of such expansion in ophthalmology, comparing the widely accepted practice of nurses administering intravitreal injections and the relatively less prevalent optometrists functioning as physician extenders.

Exploring Social Determinants of Health in Veterinary Technology: A Workshop Approach to Enhancing Companion Animal Welfare and Student Awareness.

Incorporating social determinants of health (SDH) into veterinary education is essential for preparing students to address companion animal welfare comprehensively. This teaching tip describes a yearly workshop conducted with veterinary technology students to explore how SDH factors influence companion animal guardians, and the clinical decisions made by veterinary professionals. The workshop emphasized key communication skills and addressed student biases.

The Role of TIM-3 in Glioblastoma Progression.

Several immunoregulatory or immune checkpoint receptors including T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) have been implicated in glioblastoma progression. Rigorous investigation over the last decade has elucidated TIM-3 as a key player in inhibiting immune cell activation and several key associated molecules have been identified both upstream and downstream that mediate immune cell dysfunction mechanistically. However, despite several reviews being published on other immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 in the glioblastoma setting, no such extensive review exists that specifically focuses on the role of TIM-3 in glioblastoma progression and immunosuppression.

Germline analysis of an international cohort of pediatric diffuse midline glioma patients.

Background: Factors that drive the development of diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are unknown. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline variants in pediatric patients with DMG.

Methods: We assembled an international cohort of 252 pediatric patients with DMG, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (n=153), with germline whole genome or whole exome sequencing.

Vaccination in multiple sclerosis: Tackling challenges and paving the way for effective immunization.

Background: Vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) presents unique challenges. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can increase infectious risks, though these are largely preventable through immunizations. However, DMTs can also reduce vaccine efficacy.

Sexual Violence and Assault in Rural Australia: A Scoping Review of Regional, Rural, and Remote Contexts.

Sexual violence (SV) is an insidious social phenomenon that results in physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. The aim of this article is to review the research pertaining to SV in regional, rural, and remote Australia. A systematic scoping review was undertaken using the Arksey and O'Malley five-step framework.

Exploring the Characteristics and Utilization of General Practice Healthcare by Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience acute and chronic health issues requiring lifespan primary care. This review aimed to investigate characteristics and utilization of general practitioner (GP) access by adults with CP. Secondary aims included exploring reasons prompting access, identifying interventions provided, and personal features affecting access.

Gold Nanostar-Decorated Electrospun Nanofibers Enable On-Demand Drug Delivery.

This study explores the development of a photo-responsive bicomponent electrospun platform and its drug delivery capabilities. This platform is composed of two polymers of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). Then, the platform is decorated with plasmonic gold nanostars (Au NSs) that are capable of on-demand drug release.

Characterising symptomatic substates in individuals on the psychosis continuum: a hidden Markov modelling approach.

Background: To improve early intervention and personalise treatment for individuals early on the psychosis continuum, a greater understanding of symptom dynamics is required. We address this by identifying and evaluating the movement between empirically derived attenuated psychotic symptomatic substates-clusters of symptoms that occur within individuals over time.

Methods: Data came from a 90-day daily diary study evaluating attenuated psychotic and affective symptoms.

Imaging findings in polymyalgia rheumatica.

Modern imaging including ultrasound, MRI and PET have all played a pivotal role in characterizing the distinctive musculotendinous pathology that is now recognized to define PMR. Each of these modalities offers inherent advantages and disadvantages relative to availability, cost and radiation exposure, although MRI and hybrid PET/CT are particularly capable of detecting highly sensitive and specific findings, and thus should be considered reliable tools for PMR diagnosis in everyday clinical practice. By contrast, the utility of imaging for monitoring disease activity and predicting long-term clinical outcomes represents areas of ongoing research interest.

A mixed-methods pilot study of domiciliary nasal high-flow therapy for breathlessness in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who do not qualify for domiciliary long-term oxygen therapy.

Background: High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy delivers humidified, heated air with flow rates of up to 60 L/min with oxygen entrained. HFNO has advantages over conventional oxygen therapy, including precise and reliable fraction of inspired oxygen delivery, therefore is recommended as first-line treatment for people with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure.

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of domiciliary nasal high flow (NHF) without entrained oxygen for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe breathlessness.

New antibiotics targeting Gram-negative bacilli.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging global threat. It increases mortality and morbidity rates and places a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Healthcare professionals can address the increasing issue of AMR by advocating responsible antibiotic use and supporting the development of new medications.

Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence Among Married Women: A Multilevel Analysis Across 20 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread issue, particularly affecting married women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where cultural norms often lead to its acceptance. Using data from national demographic and health surveys and a two-level hierarchical model, this study examines factors affecting IPV acceptance among married women in 20 LMICs. Studies show that higher education, greater wealth, decision-making power, urban residency, and older age at marriage all reduce IPV acceptance.

Experiences of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Among Women International Students in Australia.

Sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in tertiary institutions have received increased attention in Australia and globally, however, international students have been largely neglected in academic and policy discourse. Little is known about the nature and frequency of SV and IPV experienced by these students, nor what sociodemographic factors are associated with victimization. This article reports on a national cross-sectional survey of 1,491 women international students in Australia.

Longitudinal Trajectories of Dental Attendance in Australian Adults.

Understanding how dental attendance evolves throughout life can inform targeted preventive health care policies by identifying key moments when people are more or less likely to seek dental care. Trajectory modeling of age and time trajectories takes a life course approach to understanding dental attendance, offering insights into both developmental perspectives (e.g.

Co-design of a single session intervention chatbot for people on waitlists for eating disorder treatment: a qualitative interview and workshop study.

Background: Early treatment is critical to improve eating disorder prognosis. Single session interventions have been proposed as a strategy to provide short term support to people on waitlists for eating disorder treatment, however, it is not always possible to access this early intervention. Conversational artificial intelligence agents or "chatbots" reflect a unique opportunity to attempt to fill this gap in service provision.