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The article focuses on screening participants' attitudes to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast screening and the breast cancer screening population on the use of AI in interpreting breast screening mammograms.

Trauma is an important matter of public health and a major cause of mortality. Since the late 1980s trauma care provision in the United Kingdom is lacking when compared to the USA. This has been attributed to a lack of organisation of trauma care leading to the formation of trauma networks and Major Trauma Centres in England and Wales. The need for similar centres in Scotland is argued currently. We assessed the activity of two quite different trauma systems by obtaining access to comparative data from two hospitals, one in the USA and the other in Scotland. Aggregate data on 5604 patients at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) from 1993 to 2002 was obtained from the Scottish Trauma Audit Group. A comparable data set of 16,178 patients from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Direct comparison of patient demographics; injury type, mechanism and Injury Severity Score (ISS); mode of arrival; length of stay and mortality were made. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-squared and Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel. There were significant differences in the data sets. There was a higher proportion of penetrating injuries at MGH, (8.6% vs 2.6%) and more severely injured patients at MGH, patients with an ISS > 16 accounted for nearly 22.1% of MGH patients compared to 14.0% at ARI. ISS 8–15 made up 54.6% of ARI trauma with 29.6% at MGH. Falls accounted for 50.1% at ARI and 37.9% at MGH. Despite the higher proportion of severe injuries at MGH and crude mortality rates showing no difference (4.9% ARI vs 5.2% MGH), pooled odds ratio of mortality was 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.2–1.6) showing worse mortality outcomes at ARI compared to MGH. In conclusion, there were some differences in case mix between both data sets making direct comparison of the outcomes difficult, but the effect of consolidating major trauma on the proportion and number of severely injured patients treated in the American Level 1 centre was clear with a significant improvement in mortality in all injury severity groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) represents one of a number of localized lung and non-lung diseases with an intense chronic inflammatory component associated with evidence of systemic oxidative stress. Many of these chronic inflammatory diseases are accompanied by an array of atherosclerotic processes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), another condition strongly related to inflammation and oxidative stress. As a consequence of a dramatic increase in long-lived patients with CF in recent decades, the specter of CVD must be considered in these patients who are now reaching middle age and beyond. Buttressed by recent data documenting that CF patients exhibit evidence of endothelial dysfunction, a recognized precursor of atherosclerosis and CVD, the spectrum of risk factors for CVD in CF is reviewed here. Epidemiological data further characterizing the presence and extent of atherogenic processes in CF patients would seem important to obtain. Such studies should further inform and offer mechanistic insights into how other chronic inflammatory diseases potentiate the processes leading to CVDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate whether cell culture medium is a biologically relevant exposure medium that can be employed in non-ionising photobiological investigations. Methods: The effect of solar-simulated irradiation on cell culture medium and its ability to elicit cell death was studied. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell secreted factors, and the contribution of individual components of the medium were investigated. Results: Cell death was found to be primarily mediated through the formation of ROS via riboflavin photosensitisation and degradation in the cell culture medium. Phenol red was found to significantly reduce the cell killing ability of riboflavin. Exposures in riboflavin-free medium resulted in significantly increased cell survival compared to identical exposures in riboflavin containing medium. Conclusions: This study has shown that solar radiation toxicity is augmented by cell culture medium due to the presence of riboflavin. Results suggest that exposures performed in phenol red-free medium may serve to increase phototoxic effects if riboflavin is present. Riboflavin-free media is recommended for solar radiation investigations to eliminate concerns regarding riboflavin photosensitisation and nutrient deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Decreased expired nitric oxide (eNO) is commonly observed in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and is usually explained by dysregulation of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms in respiratory tract epithelium. Later stages of this disease are accompanied by intense airway infiltration of phagocytes with high NOS activity, abundant levels of the hemoprotein myeloperoxidase (MPO) and significant production of significant reactive oxygen species. Methods: This study characterizes the contribution of the high airway levels of MPO to decreased eNO levels in adult CF patients. NO metabolites (NO x ) and MPO levels in fresh sputum of control and adult CF patients were determined and related to measurements of eNO and to in vitro consumption of NO in CF sputum. Results: Despite essentially equal levels of NO x in sputum, eNO was 2- to 3-fold lower in CF patients compared to healthy controls. In CF patients, eNO levels were negatively associated with sputum peroxidase activity. In vivo correlations were confirmed by ex vivo studies of NO consumption by MPO in CF sputum. Immunodepletion studies confirmed MPO as the major heme peroxidase in CF sputum contributing to the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent consumption of NO. Conclusions: In CF airways MPO acts as a phagocyte-derived NO oxidase that diminishes NO bioavailability at airway surfaces, possibly identifying this peroxidase as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the drug manufacturers' response to the COVID-19 pandemic and mentions a recent collaboration in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Cystic fibrosis (CF), characterized by chronic airway infection and inflammation, ultimately leads to respiratory failure. Exhaled nitric oxide (NO), elevated in most inflammatory airway diseases, is decreased in CF, suggesting either decreased production or accelerated metabolism of NO. The present studies performed on two groups of CF patients provide further support for a disordered NO airway metabolism in CF respiratory tract disease. Despite confirmation of subnormal NOS2 in the CF airway epithelium, alternative isoforms NOS1 and NOS3 were present, and inflammatory cells in the CF airway expressed abundant NOS2. Increased immunohistochemical staining for nitrotyrosine was demonstrated in lung tissues from patients with CF as compared to control. To our knowledge, this is the first report localizing nitrotyrosine in diseased CF lung tissue. While the relative NOS2 deficiency in CF respiratory tract epithelium may contribute to the lower expired NO levels, these results suggest that increased metabolism of NO is also present in advanced CF lung disease. The significance of altered NO metabolism and protein nitration in CF remains to be fully elucidated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The importance of nitric oxide (NO) in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension has been demonstrated using nitric oxide synthase (NOS) knockout mice. In that model NO from endothelial NOS (eNOS) plays a central role in modulating pulmonary vascular tone and attenuating hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. However, the normal regulation of NOS expression in mice following hypoxia is uncertain. Because genetically engineered mice are often utilized in studies of NO, we conducted the present study to determine how hypoxia alters NOS expression in wild-type mice. Method: Mice were exposed to sea level, ambient conditions (5280 feet) or severe altitude (17,000 feet) for 6 weeks from birth, and hemodynamics and lung NOS expression were assessed. Results: Hypoxic mice developed severe pulmonary hypertension (right ventricular systolic pressure [RVsP] 60 mmHg) as compared with normoxic mice (27 mmHg). Using quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, it was found that expressions of eNOS and inducible NOS (iNOS) increased 1.5- fold and 3.5-fold, respectively, in the lung. In addition, the level of lung eNOS protein was increased, neuronal NOS (nNOS) protein was unchanged, and iNOS was below the limit of detection. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated no change in lung iNOS or nNOS staining in either central or peripheral areas, but suggested increased eNOS in the periphery following hypoxia. Conclusion: In mice, hypoxia is associated with increases in lung eNOS, possibly in iNOS, but not in nNOS; this suggests that the pattern of lung NOS expression following hypoxia must be considered in studies using genetically engineered mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Perceptual Crossing Device (PCD) introduced in this report is an updated tool designed to facilitate the exploration of brain activity during human interaction with seamless real time integration with EEG equipment. It incorporates haptic and auditory feedback mechanisms, enabling interactions between two users within a virtual environment. Through a unique circular motion interface that enables intuitive virtual interactions, users can experience the presence of their counterpart via tactile or auditory cues. This paper highlights the key characteristics of the PCD, aiming to validate its efficacy in augmenting the understanding of human interactions. Furthermore, by offering an accessible and intuitive interface, the PCD stands to foster greater community engagement in the realm of embodied cognitive science and human interaction studies. Through this device, we anticipate a deeper comprehension of the complex neural dynamics underlying human interaction, thereby contributing a valuable resource to both the scientific community and the broader public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Untargeted LC–MS/MS analysis of cell culture media resulted in the quantification of >2500 features. • Multivariate data analysis highlighted correlation between media and the corresponding hydrolysates. • A small number of dipeptides in culture media were determined as potential contributors to bioprocess variability. • Discrepancies in dipeptide levels across formulations were observed upon targeted LC–MS/MS analysis. • Dipeptide supplementation in shake-flask cultures did not impact cell productivity. Cell culture media formulations supplemented with soy hydrolysates for commercial scale manufacturing of therapeutic proteins were characterized by high-resolution LC–MS/MS to identify specific media components that contributed to cellular bioprocess variability. Initial untargeted screening of media formulations resulted in the combined quantification of >2500 features upon analysis by reversed-phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. Chemometric evaluation of quantified features by Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering revealed clear correlation between media lots and the corresponding hydrolysates implemented during formulation development stages, suggesting that the observed variation in culture performance could be influenced by components present within hydrolysates. Through multivariate data analysis, a small number of dipeptides, identified as Tyrosyl-Leucine, Phenylalanyl-Valine and LL-Cyclo(Leucylprolyl) were determined in media as potential contributors to bioprocess variability due to their statistically significant higher abundance in formulations which yielded low cellular productivity. Subsequent quantification of these features was performed through targeted LC-QQQ-MS/MS which however, revealed discrepancies between dipeptide concentration levels in media and corresponding hydrolysates presumably due to their potential instability upon interaction with other chemically defined components such as metals or chelating agents. The nutritional impact of the aforementioned features of interest on CHO cell growth performance was assessed through spiking studies in representative shake-flask cultures which however, failed to demonstrate clear correlation between dipeptide concentrations and achieved product yields further indicating the presence of a plausible synergetic effect between the identified dipeptides and alternative media components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the Interactive Visual Analyzer (IBVA) technology. Development of automated accelerated learning approaches; Advantages of using the IBVA.

Presents the introduction of brainwave technology in the educational setting. Accessibility in the classroom; Use of electroencephalograph (EEG) data to monitor the brain's learning processes; Potentials of the equipment.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Compromised Autonomy and the Seriously Ill Patient," by M.R. Tonelli and C.J. Misak, that was published in a 2010 issue of the journal "Chest."

Host cell proteins (HCPs) are bioprocess-related impurities arising from cell-death or secretion from nonhuman cells used for recombinant protein production. Clearance of HCPs through downstream purification (DSP) is required to produce safe and efficacious therapeutic proteins. While traditionally measured using anti-HCP ELISA, more in-depth approaches for HCP characterization may ensure that risks to patients from HCPs are adequately assessed. Mass spectrometry methods provide rationale for targeted removal strategies through the provision of both qualitative and quantitative HCP information. A high pH, low pH, reversed-phase data independent 2D-LC-MSE proteomic platform was applied to determine HCP repertoires in the Protein A purified monoclonal antibody (mAb) samples as a function of culture harvest time, elution buffer used for DSP and also following inclusion of additional DSP steps. Critical quality attributes (CQAs) were examined for mAbs purified with different Protein A elution buffers to ensure that the selected buffers not only minimized the HCP profile but also exhibited no adverse effect on product quality. Results indicated that an arginine based Protein A elution buffer minimized the levels of HCPs identified and quantified in a purified mAb sample and also demonstrated no impact on product CQAs. It was also observed that mAbs harvested at later stages of cell culture contained higher concentrations of HCPs but that these were successfully removed by the addition of DSP steps complementary to Protein A purification. Taken together, our results showed how mass spectrometry based methods for HCP determination in conjunction with careful consideration of processing parameters such as harvest time, Protein A elution buffers, and subsequent DSP steps can reduce the HCP repertoire of therapeutic mAbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]