Optimizing Medical Pretreatment for Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty: Overshoot or Stride Toward Optimal Multimodal Treatment.

In patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who undergo balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), pretreatment with PH-targeted medical therapy may be beneficial to improve clinical parameters and pulmonary hemodynamics. This study aims to describe clinical results of PH-targeted therapy prior to BPA. All consecutive patients with CTEPH who underwent BPA treatment were selected from our CTEPH database.

Quantitative photoacoustic imaging using known chromophores as fluence marker.

Photoacoustic imaging offers optical contrast images of human tissue at acoustic resolution, making it valuable for diverse clinical applications. However, quantifying tissue composition via optical contrast remains challenging due to the unknown light fluence within the tissue. Here, we propose a method that leverages known chromophores (, arterial blood) to improve the accuracy of quantitative photoacoustic imaging.

Characterizing the extractable proteins from tomato leaves - A proteomics study.

The ambition to utilize agricultural by-products has spotlighted tomato leaves as a promising source for plant-based proteins. High-yielding protein extractability is key for its industrial use, but previous studies reported decreased protein extractability at later stages of plant development. This study investigated the underlying factors in protein extractability through a comprehensive proteomics analysis across four plant developmental stages (vegetative, flowering, fruit-forming, mature-fruit).

Thiosemicarbazones as versatile photoswitches with light-controllable supramolecular activity.

Using photoswitchable molecules to manipulate supramolecular interactions under light illumination has driven advancements in numerous fields, allowing for the strategic alteration of molecular systems. However, integrating the moiety responsible for these interactions into the photochromic scaffold can be complex and may hamper the switching efficiency. We thus explored a simple class of organic molecules, namely thiosemicarbazones, featuring both a photoisomerizable C[double bond, length as m-dash]N double bond and a thiourea moiety capable of hydrogen bonding.

Identify structures underlying out-of-equilibrium reaction networks with random graph analysis.

Network measures have proven very successful in identifying structural patterns in complex systems (, a living cell, a neural network, the Internet). How such measures can be applied to understand the rational and experimental design of chemical reaction networks (CRNs) is unknown. Here, we develop a procedure to model CRNs as a mathematical graph on which network measures and a random graph analysis can be applied.

The Clinical Significance of HLA Compatibility Scores in Lung Transplantation.

Lung transplantation is a life-saving therapeutic option for many chronic end-stage pulmonary diseases, but long-term survival may be limited by rejection of the transplanted organ. Since HLA disparity between donor and recipient plays a major role in rejection, we performed a single center, retrospective observational cohort analysis in our lung transplant cohort (n = 128) in which we calculated HLA compatibility scores for B-cell epitopes (HLAMatchmaker, HLA-EMMA), T-cell epitopes (PIRCHE-II) and missing self-induced NK cell activation (KIR Ligand Calculator). Adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the association between mismatched scores and time to development of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) post-transplant, time to first biopsy-proven acute rejection episode, freedom from CLAD, graft survival and overall survival.

Assessing the possibility of using large language models in ocular surface diseases.

Aim: To assess the possibility of using different large language models (LLMs) in ocular surface diseases by selecting five different LLMS to test their accuracy in answering specialized questions related to ocular surface diseases: ChatGPT-4, ChatGPT-3.5, Claude 2, PaLM2, and SenseNova.

Methods: A group of experienced ophthalmology professors were asked to develop a 100-question single-choice question on ocular surface diseases designed to assess the performance of LLMs and human participants in answering ophthalmology specialty exam questions.

Tailoring Nickel Oxide Thin Films: Comparative Study of Oxidizing Agents in Thermal and Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition.

Thermal atomic layer deposition (TALD) and plasma atomic layer deposition (PALD) were used for producing thin NiO films from nickel(II) acetylacetonate Ni(acac), employing different oxidizing agents (deionized water HO, ozone O, and molecular oxygen O). The films were deposited at 300 °C (TALD) and 220 °C (PALD) over glass substrates; their physical and chemical properties were considerably influenced by the choice of oxidizing agents. In particular, ALD(HO) samples had a low growth per cycle (GPC) and a high concentration of defects.

Soil Microbiome Inoculation for Resilient and Multifunctional New Forests in Post-Agricultural Landscapes.

Afforestation is increasingly recognized as a critical strategy to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity on post-agricultural landscapes. However, agricultural legacies, such as altered soil structure, nutrient imbalances, and depleted microbial diversity, can slow down forest establishment or cause ecosystems to deviate from expected successional trajectories. In this opinion paper, we explore the potential of soil inoculations as a tool to overcome these challenges by introducing beneficial microbial communities that can accelerate ecosystem recovery and forest development.

Relaxin mimetic in pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease: Design and rationale of Re-PHIRE.

Aims: Despite receiving guideline-directed medical heart failure (HF) therapy, patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease (PH-LHD) experience higher mortality and hospitalization rates than the general HF population. AZD3427 is a functionally selective, long-acting mimetic of relaxin, a hormone that has the potential to induce vasodilation and prevent fibrosis. In a phase 1b study conducted in patients with HF, AZD3427 demonstrated a favourable safety and pharmacokinetic profile.

Update to the PRISMA guidelines for network meta-analyses and scoping reviews and development of guidelines for rapid reviews: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to develop a list of items for potential inclusion in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines for network meta-analysis (NMA), scoping reviews (ScRs), and rapid reviews (RRs).

Introduction: The PRISMA extensions for NMA and ScRs were published in 2015 and 2018. However, since then, their methodologies and innovations, including automation, have evolved.

Periprocedural Skincare for Nonenergy and Nonablative Energy-Based Aesthetic Procedures in Patients With Skin of Color.

Background: Anti-aging facial procedures with nonenergy and nonablative energy devices are increasingly popular among patients with skin of color (SOC). Algorithms have addressed the measures to reduce the side effects related to aesthetic procedures, but few focus on SOC patients and periprocedural integrating skincare.

Methods: Eight dermatologists from Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Mexico, and the USA participated in a meeting and an online follow-up to develop an algorithm for periprocedural skincare for nonenergy and nonablative energy-based facial aesthetic procedures in patients with SOC.

Patients' Attitudes Towards Integrating Environmental Sustainability Into Healthcare Decision-Making: An Interview Study.

Introduction: The ethical obligation to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare systems prompts an exploration of if and when environmental concerns should be integrated into clinical decision-making. In this study, we aimed to elucidate patients' attitudes regarding the provision of environmental information in healthcare decision-making and to identify preferred approaches for integrating these considerations into patient-provider consultations.

Methods: This interview study served as an in-depth follow-up of a survey study on gynaecological patients' perspectives on environmental sustainability within healthcare settings.

In ovo delivery of carvacrol triggers expression of chemotactic factors, antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory pathways in the yolk sac of broiler chicken embryos.

Background: Broiler chickens are most vulnerable immediately after hatching due to their immature immune systems, making them susceptible to infectious diseases. The yolk plays an important role in early immune defence by showing relevant antioxidant and passive immunity capabilities during broiler embryonic development. The immunomodulatory effects of phytogenic compound carvacrol have been widely reported.

Incidence and risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK.

Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic tumor diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to report incidence risk, breed predispositions and other demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. The VetCompass Program supports research on anonymized electronic health records (EHRs) from dogs under UK veterinary care.

Impact of frailty and older age on weaning from invasive ventilation: a secondary analysis of the WEAN SAFE study.

Objective: To understand the impact of both frailty and chronologic age on outcomes of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods: The study population consisted of patients enrolled in the 'WorldwidE. AssessmeNt of Separation of pAtients From ventilatory assistancE (WEAN SAFE) study.

Interplay between genetic risk and built neighborhood conditions as predictor of BMI across the transition into adulthood.

Objective: We examined BMI development across changes in the built environment during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood and explored the moderating role of genetic risk.

Methods: We used longitudinal data from individuals aged 16 to 25 years in the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) that we linked to built environment data for 2006, 2010, and 2016 from the Geoscience and Health Cohort Consortium (GECCO). We fitted a latent growth model of BMI and examined associations of changes in fast-food restaurant density and walkability with changes in BMI (n = 2735), as well as interactions of changes in fast-food restaurant density and walkability with genetic risk (n = 1676).

Ideal outcome after pancreatic resection for neuroendocrine tumors: a nationwide study.

Background: Pancreatic resections for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) may experience a higher complication rate than for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study aimed to determine the rate of the novel composite "Ideal Outcome" measure after resection for pNET, using PDAC as reference.

Methods: This observational cohort study included all consecutive patients after pancreatic resection for pNET and PDAC using the nationwide Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit (2014-2021).

A case of lipoprotein glomerulopathy due to the pathogenic APOE Las Vegas variant c.509C>A: p. (Ala170Asp).

This report describes a rare case of lipoprotein glomerulopathy. A 63 year-old man presented with nephrotic syndrome unresponsive to rituximab and tacrolimus. Blood tests showed a mild- to moderate hypertriglyceridemia suggesting familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (FD).

Screening instruments to detect problematic alcohol use among adults in hospitals and their diagnostic test accuracy: A systematic review.

Issues: Alcohol consumption can cause physical, psychological and social problems that can result in hospitalisations. Screening in hospitals helps to determine which patients should be given interventions. In this review, we aimed to summarise the diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of screening instruments for problematic alcohol use among adults in hospitals.

Image Guided Percutaneous Robotic Interventions for Solid Organs.

Robotic systems for minimally invasive procedures, particularly in interventional oncology, have advanced significantly, especially for percutaneous interventions guided by CT, Cone-beam CT, and MRI. These systems, which include needle-guiding and needle-driving robots, enhance the precision of procedures like biopsy and tumor ablation. Needle-guiding robots plan and align the needle, while needle-driving robots autonomously advance it, improving needle placement accuracy, enabling out-of-plane insertion, and reducing radiation exposure.