tan Ancient Denisovans hunted snow leopards on the Tibetan plateau By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Wed, 03 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0100 Thousands of bones found in a Tibetan cave have been analysed to learn how mysterious ancient humans known as Denisovans lived Full Article
tan Health Tip: When Baby Throws a Tantrum By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Health Tip: When Baby Throws a TantrumCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/20/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan African Chimps Carry Drug-Resistant, Human-Linked Staph By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: African Chimps Carry Drug-Resistant, Human-Linked StaphCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/24/2012 4:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 8/27/2012 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Daily Temper Tantrums Not the Norm for Preschoolers: Study By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Daily Temper Tantrums Not the Norm for Preschoolers: StudyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/29/2012 2:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 8/30/2012 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan 'Alarming' Rise Seen in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: 'Alarming' Rise Seen in Drug-Resistant TuberculosisCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/30/2012 2:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 8/31/2012 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Mental and Substance Disorders Major Cause of Nonfatal Illnesses By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Mental and Substance Disorders Major Cause of Nonfatal IllnessesCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/28/2013 7:35:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 8/29/2013 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Donated Livers Not Harmed by Travel Distances, Study Finds By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Donated Livers Not Harmed by Travel Distances, Study FindsCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/28/2014 2:36:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 8/29/2014 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Summer Is High Time for College Kids Trying Illegal Substances By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Summer Is High Time for College Kids Trying Illegal SubstancesCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/27/2015 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/27/2015 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Despite Pockets of Resistance, Most U.S. Kids Getting Vaccinated By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Despite Pockets of Resistance, Most U.S. Kids Getting VaccinatedCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/27/2015 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/28/2015 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Survey Finds Support for Limits on Indoor Tanning By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Survey Finds Support for Limits on Indoor TanningCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/22/2016 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Cheap Face Masks Little Help Against Air Pollutants By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Cheap Face Masks Little Help Against Air PollutantsCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/24/2016 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/25/2016 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Synthetic Fentanyl Fueling Surge in Overdose Deaths: CDC By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Synthetic Fentanyl Fueling Surge in Overdose Deaths: CDCCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/25/2016 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/26/2016 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Health Tip: Long-Distance Caregiving By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Health Tip: Long-Distance CaregivingCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/28/2017 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/28/2017 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Fentanyl Drives Rise in Opioid-Linked Deaths in U.S. By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Fentanyl Drives Rise in Opioid-Linked Deaths in U.S.Category: Health NewsCreated: 8/31/2017 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 9/1/2017 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Health Tip: Understanding Vasectomy By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Health Tip: Understanding VasectomyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/28/2018 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/28/2018 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Alarming Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant UTIs in U.S.: Study By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Alarming Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant UTIs in U.S.: StudyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/28/2018 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/29/2018 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Health Tip: Understanding Measles By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Health Tip: Understanding MeaslesCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan AHA News: Understanding Connection Between Poverty, Childhood Trauma and Heart Disease By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: AHA News: Understanding Connection Between Poverty, Childhood Trauma and Heart DiseaseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/27/2019 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan U.S. Opioid Deaths Take a Small Dip, as Fentanyl Leaves Deadly Mark By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: U.S. Opioid Deaths Take a Small Dip, as Fentanyl Leaves Deadly MarkCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/29/2019 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/30/2019 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan For Better Breastfeeding, 'Lactation Consultants' Can Help By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: For Better Breastfeeding, 'Lactation Consultants' Can HelpCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/25/2021 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/25/2021 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Search for Coronavirus Origins at Standstill: WHO Team By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Search for Coronavirus Origins at Standstill: WHO TeamCategory: Health NewsCreated: 8/26/2021 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/26/2021 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Are You Among the 'Diet-Resistant'? By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Are You Among the 'Diet-Resistant'?Category: Health NewsCreated: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/22/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With CLOVES Syndrome? By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Fri, 26 Aug 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With CLOVES Syndrome?Category: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 8/26/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Insulin and Insulin Resistance: The Ultimate Guide By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Jul 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Insulin and Insulin Resistance: The Ultimate GuideCategory: Health and LivingCreated: 7/19/2022 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 7/19/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Insulin Resistance By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Thu, 28 Jul 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Insulin ResistanceCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 2/10/2004 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 7/28/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Smoking Rates Drop for Americans Battling Depression, Substance Abuse By www.medicinenet.com Published On :: Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 PDT Title: Smoking Rates Drop for Americans Battling Depression, Substance AbuseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 4/27/2022 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 4/27/2022 12:00:00 AM Full Article
tan Treating central sleep apnoea in heart failure: is positive airway pressure and adaptive servo-ventilation in particular the gold standard? By err.ersjournals.com Published On :: 2024-10-30T01:30:15-07:00 Extract We read with great interest the review article by Randerath et al. [1] recently published in the European Respiratory Review. We would like to congratulate the authors on this clearly structured review, which emphasises the urgent need for an increasingly differentiated view of central sleep apnoea (CSA) in the context of precision medicine. Full Article
tan Harnessing brain-body communication to understand cancer [Special Section: Symposium Outlook] By genesdev.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T07:18:56-07:00 Solid tumors that arise in the body interact with neurons, which influences cancer progression and treatment response. Here, we discuss key questions in the field, including defining the nature of interactions between tumors and neural circuits and defining how neural signals shape the tumor microenvironment. This information will allow us to optimally target neural signaling to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Full Article
tan Abolished frameshifting for predicted structure-stabilizing SARS-CoV-2 mutants: implications to alternative conformations and their statistical structural analyses [ARTICLE] By rnajournal.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T07:18:13-07:00 The SARS-CoV-2 frameshifting element (FSE) has been intensely studied and explored as a therapeutic target for coronavirus diseases, including COVID-19. Besides the intriguing virology, this small RNA is known to adopt many length-dependent conformations, as verified by multiple experimental and computational approaches. However, the role these alternative conformations play in the frameshifting mechanism and how to quantify this structural abundance has been an ongoing challenge. Here, we show by DMS and dual-luciferase functional assays that previously predicted FSE mutants (using the RAG graph theory approach) suppress structural transitions and abolish frameshifting. Furthermore, correlated mutation analysis of DMS data by three programs (DREEM, DRACO, and DANCE-MaP) reveals important differences in their estimation of specific RNA conformations, suggesting caution in the interpretation of such complex conformational landscapes. Overall, the abolished frameshifting in three different mutants confirms that all alternative conformations play a role in the pathways of ribosomal transition. Full Article
tan The Simultaneous Inhibition of Solute Carrier Family 6 Member 19 and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Transporters Leads to an Increase of Indoxyl Sulfate (a Uremic Toxin) in Plasma and Kidney [Articles] By dmd.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T09:02:03-07:00 Solute carrier family 6 member 19 (SLC6A19) inhibitors are being studied as therapeutic agents for phenylketonuria. In this work, a potent SLC6A19 inhibitor (RA836) elevated rat kidney uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate (IDS) levels by intensity (arbitrary unit) of 13.7 ± 7.7 compared with vehicle 0.3 ± 0.1 (P = 0.01) as determined by tissue mass spectrometry imaging analysis. We hypothesized that increased plasma and kidney levels of IDS could be caused by the simultaneous inhibition of both Slc6a19 and a kidney IDS transporter responsible for excretion of IDS into urine. To test this, we first confirmed the formation of IDS through tryptophan metabolism by feeding rats a Trp-free diet. Inhibiting Slc6a19 with RA836 led to increased IDS in these rats. Next, RA836 and its key metabolites were evaluated in vitro for inhibiting kidney transporters such as organic anion transporter (OAT)1, OAT3, and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). RA836 inhibits BCRP with an IC50 of 0.045 μM but shows no significant inhibition of OAT1 or OAT3. Finally, RA836 analogs with either potent or no inhibition of SLC6A19 and/or BCRP were synthesized and administered to rats fed a normal diet. Plasma and kidney samples were collected to quantify IDS using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Neither a SLC6A19 inactive but potent BCRP inhibitor nor a SLC6A19 active but weak BCRP inhibitor raised IDS levels, whereas compounds inhibiting both transporters caused IDS accumulation in rat plasma and kidney, supporting the hypothesis that rat Bcrp contributes to the excretion of IDS. In summary, we identified that inhibiting Slc6a19 increases IDS formation, while simultaneously inhibiting Bcrp results in IDS accumulation in the kidney and plasma. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This is the first publication to decipher the mechanism for accumulation of indoxyl sulfate (IDS) (a uremic toxin) in rats via inhibition of both Slc6a19 and Bcrp. Specifically, inhibition of Slc6a19 in the gastrointestinal track increases IDS formation, and inhibition of Bcrp in the kidney blocks IDS excretion. Therefore, we should avoid inhibiting both solute carrier family 6 member 19 and breast cancer resistance protein simultaneously in humans to prevent accumulation of IDS, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, psychic anxiety, and mortality in chronic kidney disease patients. Full Article
tan CYP8B1 Catalyzes 12alpha-Hydroxylation of C27 Bile Acid: In Vitro Conversion of Dihydroxycoprostanic Acid into Trihydroxycoprostanic Acid [Articles] By dmd.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-16T09:02:03-07:00 Sterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) is the unique P450 enzyme with sterol 12-oxidation activity, playing an exclusive role in 12α-hydroxylating intermediates along the bile acid (BA) synthesis pathway. Despite the long history of BA metabolism studies, it is unclear whether CYP8B1 catalyzes 12α-hydroxylation of C27 BAs, the key intermediates shuttling between mitochondria and peroxisomes. This work provides robust in vitro evidence that both microsomal and recombinant CYP8B1 enzymes catalyze the 12α-hydroxylation of dihydroxycoprostanic acid (DHCA) into trihydroxycoprostanic acid (THCA). On the one hand, DHCA 12α-hydroxylation reactivity is conservatively detected in liver microsomes of both human and preclinical animals. The reactivity of human tissue fractions conforms well with the selectivity of CYP8B1 mRNA expression, while the contribution of P450 enzymes other than CYP8B1 is excluded by reaction phenotyping in commercial recombinant enzymes. On the other hand, we prepared functional recombinant human CYP8B1 proteins according to a recently published protocol. Titration of the purified CYP8B1 proteins with either C4 (7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one) or DHCA yields expected blue shifts of the heme Soret peak (type I binding). The recombinant CYP8B1 proteins efficiently catalyze 12α-hydroxylation of both DHCA and C4, with substrate concentration occupying half of the binding sites of 3.0 and 1.9 μM and kcat of 3.2 and 2.6 minutes–1, respectively. In summary, the confirmed role of CYP8B1 in 12α-hydroxylation of C27 BAs has furnished the forgotten passageway in the BA synthesis pathway. The present finding might have opened a new window to consider the biology of CYP8B1 in glucolipid metabolism and to evaluate CYP8B1 inhibition as a therapeutic approach of crucial interest for metabolic diseases. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The academic community has spent approximately 90 years interpreting the synthesis of bile acids. However, the 12α-hydroxylation of intermediates catalyzed by CYP8B1 is not completely mapped on the classic pathway, particularly for the C27 bile acids, the pivotal intermediates shuttling between mitochondria and peroxisomes. This work discloses the forgotten 12α-hydroxylation pathway from dihydroxycoprostanic acid into trihydroxycoprostanic acid. The present finding may facilitate evaluating CYP8B1 inhibition as a therapeutic approach of crucial interest for metabolic diseases. Full Article
tan A Cosmopolitan Argument for Temporary “Diagonal” Short-Term Surgical Missions as a Component of Surgical Systems Strengthening By ghspjournal.org Published On :: 2024-10-29T12:28:39-07:00 Full Article
tan Capacity-Building Through Digital Approaches: Evaluating the Feasibility and Effectiveness of eLearning to Introduce Subcutaneous DMPA Self-Injection in Senegal and Uganda By ghspjournal.org Published On :: 2024-10-29T12:28:39-07:00 ABSTRACTTraining health workers is one of the biggest challenges and cost drivers when introducing a new contraceptive method or service delivery innovation. PATH developed a digital training curriculum for family planning providers who are learning to offer subcutaneous DMPA (DMPA-SC), including through self-injection, as an option among a range of contraceptive methods. The DMPA-SC eLearning course for health workers includes 10 lessons with an emphasis on informed choice counseling and training clients to self-inject. In partnership with Ministries of Health in Senegal and Uganda, the course was rolled out in select areas in 2019–2020, including during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing requirements restricted in-person training. We conducted evaluations in both countries to assess the practical application of this digital training approach for contraceptive introduction. The evaluation consisted of a post-training survey, an observational assessment conducted during post-training supportive supervision, and an estimation of training costs.In both countries, a majority (88.6% in Uganda and 64.3% in Senegal) scored above 80% on a DMPA-SC knowledge test following the training. In Senegal, where there was a comparison group of providers trained in person, those providers scored similar on the post-test to eLearners. Providers in both groups and in both countries felt more prepared to administer DMPA-SC or offer self-injection to clients after receiving a supervision visit (93%–98% of eLearners felt very prepared after supervision as compared to 45%–72% prior). The evaluation results suggest that digital approaches offer a number of benefits, can be cost-effective, and are most optimal when blended with in-person training and/or supportive supervision. Full Article
tan Gabapentinoids Increase the Potency of Fentanyl and Heroin and Decrease the Potency of Naloxone to Antagonize Fentanyl and Heroin in Rats Discriminating Fentanyl [Behavioral Pharmacology] By jpet.aspetjournals.org Published On :: 2024-10-18T07:04:15-07:00 Despite a significant decrease in the number of prescriptions for opioids, the opioid crisis continues, fueled in large part by the availability of the phenylpiperidine mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist fentanyl. In contrast, the number of prescriptions for and the off-label use of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) has increased dramatically, with gabapentinoids commonly detected in opioid overdose victims. Although gabapentinoids can decrease the potency of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone to reverse heroin-induced hypoventilation in male rats, the specificity and nature of interaction between gabapentinoids and MOR agonists and any potential sex difference in those interactions are not well characterized. Gabapentinoids were studied in female and male rats discriminating fentanyl (0.0032 mg/kg, i.p.) or cocaine (3.2 mg/kg, i.p.). Alone, neither gabapentin nor pregabalin significantly increased fentanyl- or cocaine-appropriate responding. In rats discriminating fentanyl, each gabapentinoid dose-dependently shifted the fentanyl and heroin discrimination dose-effect functions to the left, whereas naloxone dose-dependently shifted the fentanyl and heroin discrimination dose-effect functions to the right. Each gabapentinoid (100 mg/kg) significantly decreased the potency of naloxone to antagonize the discriminative stimulus effect of fentanyl or heroin. In contrast, each gabapentinoid dose-dependently shifted the cocaine and d-methamphetamine discrimination dose-effect functions to the right. There were no significant sex differences in this study. These results suggest that gabapentinoids impact the misuse of opioids, the co-use of opioids and stimulant drugs, and the increasing number of overdose deaths in individuals using opioids, stimulant drugs, and gabapentinoids in mixtures. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The number of prescriptions for and the off-label use of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) has increased dramatically, with gabapentinoids commonly detected in opioid overdose victims. This study reports that in rats gabapentinoids increase the potency of fentanyl and heroin to produce discriminative stimulus effects while decreasing the potency of naloxone to antagonize those effects of fentanyl and heroin. These results can help guide policies for regulating gabapentinoids and treating opioid misuse and overdose. Full Article
tan Efficacy and Toxicity of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Results from the U.S. Expanded-Access Program and Comparisons with Phase 3 VISION Data By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2024-11-01T04:25:31-07:00 The phase 3 VISION trial demonstrated that [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) in prostate-specific membrane antigen [PSMA]–positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients who progressed on taxane-based chemotherapy and androgen receptor–signaling inhibitors (ARSIs). The U.S. expanded-access program (EAP; NCT04825652) was opened to provide access to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 for eligible patients until regulatory approval was obtained. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 within the EAP and compare the results with those from the VISION trial. Methods: Patients enrolled in the EAP at 4 institutions in the United States with available toxicity and outcome data were included. Outcome measures included OS, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate (RR) of at least 50%, and incidences of toxicity according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Differences in baseline characteristics, outcome data, and toxicity between the EAP and VISION were evaluated using t testing of proportions and survival analyses. Results: In total, 117 patients with mCRPC who received [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 within the EAP between May 2021 and March 2022 were eligible and included in this analysis. Patients enrolled in the EAP were more heavily pretreated with ARSI (≥2 ARSI regimens: 70% vs. 46%; P < 0.001) and had worse performance status at baseline (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥ 2: 19% vs. 7%; P < 0.001) than VISION patients. EAP and VISION patients had similar levels of grade 3 or higher anemia (18% vs. 13%; P = 0.15), thrombocytopenia (13% vs. 8%; P = 0.13), and neutropenia (3% vs. 3%; P = 0.85) and similar PSA RRs (42% vs. 46%; P = 0.50) and OS (median: 15.1 vs. 15.3 mo; P > 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with PSMA-positive mCRPC who received [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 within the EAP were later in their disease trajectory than VISION patients. Patients enrolled in the EAP achieved similar PSA RRs and OS and had a safety profile similar to that of the VISION trial patients. Full Article
tan Initial Experience with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 After Regulatory Approval for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Efficacy, Safety, and Outcome Prediction By jnm.snmjournals.org Published On :: 2024-11-01T04:25:31-07:00 [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Since the time of regulatory approval, however, real-world data have been lacking. This study investigated the efficacy, safety, and outcome predictors of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 at a major U.S. academic center. Methods: Patients with mCRPC who received [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital outside clinical trials were screened for inclusion. Patients who underwent [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and had available outcome data were included in this study. Outcome data included prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response (≥50% decline), PSA progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Toxicity data were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.03. The study tested the association of baseline circulating tumor DNA mutational status in homologous recombination repair, PI3K alteration pathway, and aggressive-variant prostate cancer–associated genes with treatment outcome. Baseline PSMA PET/CT images were analyzed using SelectPSMA, an artificial intelligence algorithm, to predict treatment outcome. Associations with the observed treatment outcome were evaluated. Results: All 76 patients with PSMA-positive mCRPC who received [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 met the inclusion criteria. A PSA response was achieved in 30 of 74 (41%) patients. The median PSA PFS was 4.1 mo (95% CI, 2.0–6.2 mo), and the median OS was 13.7 mo (95% CI, 11.3–16.1 mo). Anemia of grade 3 or greater, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia were observed in 9 (12%), 3 (4%), and 1 (1%), respectively, of 76 patients. Transient xerostomia was observed in 23 (28%) patients. The presence of aggressive-variant prostate cancer–associated genes was associated with a shorter PSA PFS (median, 1.3 vs. 6.3 mo; P = 0.040). No other associations were observed between circulating tumor DNA mutational status and treatment outcomes. Eighteen of 71 (25%) patients classified by SelectPSMA as nonresponders had significantly lower rates of PSA response than patients classified as likely responders (6% vs. 51%; P < 0.001), a shorter PSA PFS (median, 1.3 vs. 6.3 mo; P < 0.001), and a shorter OS (median, 6.3 vs. 14.5 mo; P = 0.046). Conclusion: [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 offered in a real-world setting after regulatory approval in the United States demonstrated antitumor activity and a favorable toxicity profile. Artificial-intelligence–based analysis of baseline PSMA PET/CT images may improve patient selection. Validation of these findings on larger cohorts is warranted. Full Article
tan The importance of escalating molecular diagnostics in patients with low-grade pediatric brain cancer [PRECISION MEDICINE IN PRACTICE] By molecularcasestudies.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-01-10T08:13:38-08:00 Pilocytic astrocytomas are the most common pediatric brain tumors, typically presenting as low-grade neoplasms. We report two cases of pilocytic astrocytoma with atypical tumor progression. Case 1 involves a 12-yr-old boy with an unresectable suprasellar tumor, negative for BRAF rearrangement but harboring a BRAF p.V600E mutation. He experienced tumor size reduction and stable disease following dabrafenib treatment. Case 2 describes a 6-yr-old boy with a thalamic tumor that underwent multiple resections, with no actionable driver detected using targeted next-generation sequencing. Whole-genome and RNA-seq analysis identified an internal tandem duplication in FGFR1 and RAS pathway activation. Future management options include FGFR1 inhibitors. These cases demonstrate the importance of escalating molecular diagnostics for pediatric brain cancer, advocating for early reflexing to integrative whole-genome sequencing and transcriptomic profiling when targeted panels are uninformative. Identifying molecular drivers can significantly impact treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes. Full Article
tan Evaluation of the Importance of Capsule Transparency in Dry Powder Inhalation Devices [Research Briefs] By www.annfammed.org Published On :: 2024-09-23T14:00:14-07:00 The aim of this work is to test whether the use of a transparent capsule affects the residual capsule weight after inhalation as a surrogate of the inhaled delivered dose for patients with non-reversible chronic airway disease. Researchers conducted an observational cross-sectional study with patients using a single-dose dry powder inhaler. The weight of the capsule was measured with a precision microbalance before and after inhalation. Ninety-one patients were included, of whom 63 (69.2%) used a transparent capsule. Inhalation with a transparent capsule achieved a weight decrease of 30.1% vs 8.6% for devices with an opaque capsule (P <0.001). These data reinforce the need to provide patients with mechanisms that verify the correct inhalation technique. Full Article
tan [Evolutionary Biology] How Important Is Variation in Extrinsic Reproductive Isolation to the Process of Speciation? By cshperspectives.cshlp.org Published On :: 2024-11-01T06:50:52-07:00 The strength of reproductive isolation (RI) between two or more lineages during the process of speciation can vary by the ecological conditions. However, most speciation research has been limited to studying how ecologically dependent RI varies among a handful of broadly categorized environments. Very few studies consider the variability of RI and its effects on speciation at finer scales—that is, within each environment due to spatial or temporal environmental heterogeneity. Such variation in RI across time and/or space may inhibit speciation through leaky reproductive barriers or promote speciation by facilitating reinforcement. To investigate this overlooked aspect of speciation research, we conducted a literature review of existing studies of variation in RI in the field and then conducted individual-based simulations to examine how variation in hybrid fitness across time and space affects the degree of gene flow. Our simulations indicate that the presence of variation in hybrid fitness across space and time often leads to an increase in gene flow compared to scenarios where hybrid fitness remains static. This observation can be attributed to the convex relationship between the degree of gene flow and the strength of selection on hybrids. Our simulations also show that the effect of variation in RI on facilitating gene flow is most pronounced when RI, on average, is relatively low. This finding suggests that it could serve as an important mechanism to explain why the completion of speciation is often challenging. While direct empirical evidence documenting variation in extrinsic RI is limited, we contend that it is a prevalent yet underexplored phenomenon. We support this argument by proposing common scenarios in which RI is likely to exhibit variability and thus influence the process of speciation. Full Article
tan Can You Really Save a Life? Study Reveals the Impact of Bystander CPR By gizmodo.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:50:16 +0000 New research shows that bystander CPR can substantially improve a person's odds of surviving a cardiac arrest while avoiding major brain damage, especially if given immediately. Full Article Health cardiac arrest CPR heart health
tan Iraqi, Kurdish forces in standoff, weeks after Kurdish vote for independence By www.pbs.org Published On :: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:33:23 +0000 Watch Video | Listen to the AudioHARI SREENIVASAN: The desire of the Kurds along Iraq’s northern border to govern themselves is receiving more resistance from Iraq’s central government. Iraqi army forces are demanding Kurdish troops withdraw from oil fields and military bases around Kirkuk, a city in the Kurdistan region that voted for independence last month. Kirkuk also has 10% of Iraq’s known oil reserves. Washington Post’s Loveday Morris is in Baghdad covering this standoff joins me now via Skype. First of all the significance of this. Why is it so important? LOVEDAY MORRIS: There’s been a longtime conflict between Baghdad and Kurdistan over these disputed territories. Most significant of which is Kirkuk because of the oil reserves. But the referendum last month has really sharpened these disputes because you have Baghdad opposing independence and so it feels like they have to restate its territorial claims these areas. So that’s why we’re seeing a lot of tension right now. HARI SREENIVASAN: And just to give people a little bit of a brief timeline – Iraqi forces control this area for a while and then in June ISIS took over the area and now it’s kind of back in Kurdish hands? LOVEDAY MORRIS: Right. So in June 2014 Iraq lost control of a lot of the areas and we have this huge collapse in the face of an ISIS offensive. Over 100,000 soldiers fled and Kurdish forces moved in some of these areas – some of them maybe took from ISIS and others just moved into into the vacuum. And so Iraqi forces have been in these areas since June 2014. And that’s their main demand that they return to the areas. HARI SREENIVASAN: What’s the likelihood that this standoff right now turns violent? Into some sort of a civil war? LOVEDAY MORRIS:: I think at this point both sides don’t want violence. Al-Abadi, the prime minister, is really trying to defuse the situation by saying there’s going to be no military attack. But at the same time there is this buildup of forces so that I think they are trying to, in a way, intimidate the Kurds to withdraw from some areas but they don’t want to see a fight per say. But in this really tense situation there can be a small spark and things can turn violent quite easily. HARI SREENIVASAN: Thank you. The post Iraqi, Kurdish forces in standoff, weeks after Kurdish vote for independence appeared first on PBS NewsHour. Full Article iraq Kurdistan middle east NewsHour Weekend
tan Nicola Sturgeon has made 'no decision' on standing for Holyrood election in 2026 By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:25:18 +0000 The Herald understands that former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has made no decisions on whether she will stand for election in 2026. Full Article
tan SNP MSP welcomes contest with Flynn as she declares bid to restand for seat By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:16:08 +0000 "I look forward to any contest, where of course it will be for branch members to select those they wish to represent them in Holyrood in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.” Full Article
tan Mhairi Black rules out standing for Holyrood in 2026 By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:37:01 +0000 "I hear journalists are wondering if I’ve put my name in for the Scottish Parliament. Big news re 2026 coming in the next hour…watch this space." Full Article
tan New research to better understand the biological factors of suicidal behaviour By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 06:30:00 +0000 New research to better understand the biological factors of suicidal behaviour Researchers at the University of Glasgow are embarking on two new PhD projects to better understand the impact that biological factors may have on suicidal behaviour. Full Article
tan Accountancy firm opens new office in Scottish town By www.heraldscotland.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 04:33:00 +0000 The accountancy firm has opened a new office in the Scottish town Full Article
tan Botany Manor Headed to PS5 and PS4 on December 17 By www.vgchartz.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:03:54 GMT Publisher Whitethorn Games and developer Balloon Studios announced Botany Manor will launch for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on December 17. The game first released for the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and Xbox Game Pass in April of this year. Our own Lee Mehr gave the game an eight out of 10 in his review and stated, "The lynchpin to Botany Manor's success is it being like an orderly garden: a well-attended array of various flowers with nary a dastardly weed in sight. It may not capture the next mind-blowing concept within the genre, nor overwhelm you with a wild barrage of challenges, but there's an understated value in being among the most succinct within its field." View the PS5 and PS4 release date trailer below: Read details on the game below: Botany Manor is a botanical puzzle game set in a historical English homestead brimming with a lifetime of memorabilia and research to explore, where players will uncover long-forgotten seeds and piece together clues as they solve puzzles to help each rare plant grow. The enduring estate of Botany Manor is home to retired botanist Arabella Greene. After a long career, she has amassed a collection of rare, long-forgotten plants that require some research to help them live again. Play as Arabella and explore the stunning historic manor and its grounds to look for clues in her notes, books, posters, and items scattered around the residence to determine the correct set of circumstances to help the flora flourish. Unlock new seeds and plant them. Interactable items around the property that can be turned and flipped will provide information to help you solve each gardening puzzle, grow the plants, and discover their mysterious qualities. Features: Explore the peaceful grounds and many calming rooms of the beautifully rendered, historically accurate 19th century manor. Pick up, flip, turn, and rotate the many items found around the estate to piece together the clues to solve each plant-based puzzle. Learn about Arabella’s life, career, and the challenges she faced as a woman scientist during the 19th century as you explore. Fall in love with the calming soundtrack that perfectly compliments the environment and flowers you bring to full bloom. A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463043/botany-manor-headed-to-ps5-and-ps4-on-december-17/ Full Article Analysis Charts Industry
tan WATCH: NFL commissioner says players ‘should stand for the national anthem’ By www.pbs.org Published On :: Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:35:03 +0000 NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference today after the second day of the annual owners meeting. Watch his remarks in the player above. NFL players will be encouraged to stand for the national anthem at the start of the football games, the league’s chief told reporters today. After two days of meeting with owners of each NFL team, representatives for the players’ union and players themselves, the NFL has reiterated its decision to keep its existing policy of not requiring players to stand during the anthem. Goodell said yesterday that the league wouldnot instate a rule that would penalize players who refuse to stand for the anthem. RELATED LINKSColumn: For black athletes, wealth doesn’t equal freedom NFL players team up in defiance and solidarity Column: As ‘America’s sport,’ the NFL cannot escape politics “We believe everyone should stand for the national anthem,” he told reporters at a news conference today. “That’s an important part of our policy. It’s also an important part of our game that we all take great pride in. And it’s also important for us to honor our flag and our country and I think our fans expect us to do that.” Goodell’s remarks came after President Donald Trump continued his criticism of the NFL this morning. On Twitter, Trump said: “The NFL has decided that it will not force players to stand for the playing of our National Anthem. Total disrespect for our great country!” After former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the anthem last year to protest police killings of unarmed black men, dozens of other players joined him to draw greater attention to social and racial injustice. Last month, Trump said the NFL ought to fire players who didn’t stand for the anthem. The players “are not doing this in any way to be disrespectful to the flag,” Goodell said today. “But they also understand how it’s being interpreted.” Goodell also said the league wanted to stay out of the political arena over the issue. “We’re not looking to get into politics,” he told reporters. “What we’re looking to do is to continue to get people focused on football.” The post WATCH: NFL commissioner says players ‘should stand for the national anthem’ appeared first on PBS NewsHour. Full Article national anthem nfl Roger Goodell
tan Five of the most important International Space Station experiments By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Aug 2024 17:00:33 +0100 From artificial retinas to ageing mice, here are five of the most promising results from research performed on the ISS – and what they might mean for humans on Earth and in space Full Article
tan SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew complete 'stand-up' civilian spacewalk By www.newscientist.com Published On :: Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:44:52 +0100 A groundbreaking civilian spacewalk saw two astronauts partially exit a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule wearing a brand new design of spacesuit. Every previous spacewalk completed before this was performed by government-trained astronauts. Full Article