Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Mapping of the Human Epicardium.

Epicardial catheter ablation is necessary to address ventricular tachycardia targets located far from the endocardium, but epicardial adipose tissue and coronary blood vessels can complicate ablation. We demonstrate that catheter-based near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can identify these obstacles to guide ablation. Eighteen human ventricles were mapped ex vivo using NIRS catheters with optical source-detector separations (SDSs) of 0.

Psychological induction of interoceptive hunger cues and their effect on food desire.

Certain interoceptive hunger cues are caused by gut physiology. These interoceptive cues may have psychological consequences, namely an ability to enhance the desire to eat, which are independent of their physiological cause. Testing this idea is difficult because the physiological processes are normally linked to any consequence.

Identification and validation of a metabolic-related gene risk model predicting the prognosis of lung, colon, and breast cancers.

Metabolic reprogramming, vital for cancer cells to adapt to the altered microenvironment, remains a topic requiring further investigation for different tumor types. Our study aims to elucidate shared metabolic reprogramming across breast (BRC), colorectal (CRC), and lung (LUC) cancers. Leveraging gene expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus and various bioinformatics tools like MSigDB, WebGestalt, String, and Cytoscape, we identified key/hub metabolism-related genes (MRGs) and their interactions.

Perceived racial discrimination, resilience, and oral health behaviours of adolescents with immigrant backgrounds.

Introduction: Unmet oral health needs remain a significant issue among immigrant adolescents, often exacerbated by experiences of racial discrimination. This study aimed to examine the associations between perceived discrimination and oral health behaviours in adolescents with immigrant backgrounds and explore the potential moderating role of resilience on this association.

Methods: Ethical approval for this cross-sectional study was obtained from the University of Alberta Research Ethics Board.

hnRNPLL regulates MYOF alternative splicing and correlates with early metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer known for its high rate of early metastasis, necessitating the discovery of the underlying mechanisms. Herein, we report that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L-like (hnRNPLL) expression significantly increases at the invasion forefront in PDAC and is associated with early metastasis and poor prognosis. Our findings revealed that hnRNPLL knockdown resulted in extensive exon skipping (ES) events.

The long-term impact of vaccine clinical research on national stakeholders involved: Experience from a low-income Country.

Clinical trials are the most rigorous scientific and regulated method to investigate the safety and efficacy of vaccines or drugs in pre-licensure stage. Clinical trial design and implementation are complex, time-consuming and involves close engagement with country's regulatory authority, clinical trial sites, investigators, and the healthcare system. Over the past few decades, a significant number of clinical trials have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in resource-limited settings.

Functional genomics of primary congenital glaucoma by pathway analysis and functional characterization of CYP1B1 mutations.

CYP1B1 is the most common gene implicated in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) - the most common form of childhood glaucoma. How CYP1B1 mutations cause PCG is not known. Understanding the mechanism of PCG caused by CYP1B1 mutations is crucial for disease management, therapeutics development, and potential prevention.

DEK :: AFF2 Fusion Sinonasal and Skull Base Nonkeratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma : A Clinical Outcome Study Compared With Conventional Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

DEK :: AFF2 fusion nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (NKSCC) is an emerging entity in the sinonasal tract, temporal bone, and skull base. However, the clinical behavior of these tumors has not been well studied. Here, we report the largest cohort of DEK :: AFF2 carcinomas to determine if morphology, mitotic rate, and/or Ki-67 IHC are associated with patient outcomes, including a comparison with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and independent patients.

Integrated analysis of cell cycle and p53 signaling pathways related genes in breast, colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers: implications for prognosis and drug sensitivity for therapeutic potential.

Cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide, is projected to increase by 76.6% in new cases and 89.7% in mortality by 2050 (WHO 2022).

Identification of novel inhibitors of cancer target telomerase using a dual structure-based pharmacophore approach to virtually screen libraries, molecular docking and validation by molecular dynamics simulations.

In about 85% of cancer malignancies, replicative immortality caused by increased telomerase activity makes it an attractive target for developing anticancer therapeutics. However, the lack of approved small-molecule inhibitors rooted in the structural ambiguity of telomerase has impeded drug development for decades. In this study, we have exploited the FVYL pocket in the thumb domain, which plays a key role in the enzyme's processivity.

Parental motivations and perceived barriers to participating in pediatric vaccine clinical trials: Findings from the OCV-S trial in Nepal.

Background: Pediatric vaccine clinical trials are crucial for evaluating and ensuring the safety and efficacy of new vaccines for children. However, in low-resource settings like Nepal, where clinical trials are relatively new, recruitment and retention of participants are challenging particularly due to diverse parental backgrounds, motivations and concerns. As such, parental motivations, perceived barriers, and experiences of participating in pediatric vaccine trial in Nepal, which hasn't previously been explored, needs to be understood.

Rural and metropolitan applicants' experiences of the admissions process for a provisional entry regional medical training pathway.

Objective: To explore the experiences and perceptions of rural and metropolitan applicants preparing for and completing all admission components for a provisional entry regional medical pathway.

Setting: Provisional entry regional medical pathway.

Participants: Provisional entry (school-leaver) applicants (N = 18) who completed a Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI).

Asthma is associated with higher recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation.

Background: Asthma is a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia. Whereas radiofrequency catheter ablation is effective in treating AF, the impact of asthma and its severity on ablation outcomes has not been previously explored.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of asthma and its severity on AF recurrence after ablation.

Repurposed drugs as PCSK9-LDLR disruptors for lipid lowering and cardiovascular disease therapeutics.

The PCSK9 protein binds to LDL receptors (LDLR), leading to their degradation and reduced expression on cell surfaces. This decreased the clearance of LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, thereby increasing the risk of coronary artery diseases. Targeting the PCSK9-LDL receptor interaction is crucial for regulating LDL cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Outcomes of Elderly Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) Versus Warfarin After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Although evidence supports the improved safety profile of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over warfarin (WF), outcomes among elderly traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients on this regimen remain unclear. This study describes the association between anticoagulation status (DOAC vs. WF use) and the rates of occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), hematoma progression, need for surgical intervention and mortality in elderly TBI cases.

Red Blood Cell Transfusion Practices.

Context.—: Opportunities to improve transfusion safety occur at lower hemoglobin (Hgb) thresholds and single-unit transfusions. Efforts to improve compliance with transfusion guidelines and single-unit transfusion practices reduce transfusions and lead to improved outcomes.

Evaluation of the Clinical Impact of a Smartphone Application for Cataract Detection.

Background Approximately 10 million people in India suffer from bilateral blindness, with cataracts accounting for roughly 70% of these cases. However, there is a severe scarcity of ophthalmologists in India (12,000 across the country), which makes routine cataract screening very difficult, particularly in rural areas. To tackle this problem, we investigated the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based application for cataract screening at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bibinagar, that can be used by nursing officers and other healthcare professionals as a primary screening tool.

Trypsin in pancreatitis: The culprit, a mediator, or epiphenomenon?

Pancreatitis is a common, life-threatening inflammatory disease of the exocrine pancreas. Its pathogenesis remains obscure, and no specific or effective treatment is available. Gallstones and alcohol excess are major etiologies of pancreatitis; in a small portion of patients the disease is hereditary.

Atypical Presentation and Surgical Management of Ectopic Mandibular Third Molar in Subcondylar Region: A Rare Case Report.

Ectopic teeth arise from developmental abnormalities and can be supernumerary, deciduous, or permanent teeth. They can cause orofacial pain, swelling, and infection. There is a major paucity in literature about ectopic mandibular third molar (EMTM) and its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Structures, processes and outcomes between first referral and referral hospitals in low-income and middle-income countries: a secondary preplanned analysis of the FALCON and ChEETAh randomised trials.

First referral hospitals, often known as district hospitals, are neglected in the discourse on universal health coverage in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, these hospitals are important for delivering safe surgery for 313 million people. This study aims to understand the structures, processes and outcomes of patients undergoing surgery in these centres in LMICs.

Management of ectopia lentis in children.

The medical management of ectopia lentis involves refractive correction as well as co-management of any associated systemic disease. Surgical management remains a challenge, as inherent defects in the lens capsule make implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) difficult. Multiple visual rehabilitative measures are available such as aphakic contact lenses or spectacles, capsular bag fixation with implantation of in-the-bag IOL, iris-fixated, and scleral-fixated IOL.