Notes

A HML6 endogenous retrovirus in chromosome Three or more is upregulated within amyotrophic side sclerosis engine cortex.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has potential to streamline interpretation of pH-impedance studies. In this exploratory observational cohort study, we determined feasibility of automated AI extraction of baseline impedance (AIBI) and evaluated clinical value of novel AI metrics.

pH-impedance data from a convenience sample of symptomatic patients studied off (n = 117, 53.1 ± 1.2years, 66% F) and on (n = 93, 53.8 ± 1.3years, 74% F) anti-secretory therapy and from asymptomatic volunteers (n = 115, 29.3 ± 0.8years, 47% F) were uploaded into dedicated prototypical AI software designed to automatically extract AIBI. Acid exposure time (AET) and manually extracted mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) were compared to corresponding total, upright, and recumbent AIBI and uprightrecumbent AIBI ratio. AI metrics were compared to AET and MNBI in predicting  ≥ 50% symptom improvement in GERD patients.

Recumbent, but not upright AIBI, correlated with MNBI. Uprightrecumbent AIBI ratio was higher when AET  > 6% (median 1.18, IQR 1.0-1.5), compared to  < 4% (0.95, IQR 0.84-1.1), 4-6% (0.89, IQR 0.72-0.98), and controls (0.93, IQR 0.80-1.09, p ≤ 0.04). While MNBI, total AIBI, and the AIBI ratio off PPI were significantly different between those with and without symptom improvement (p < 0.05 for each comparison), only AIBI ratio segregated management responders from other cohorts. On ROC analysis, off therapy AIBI ratio outperformed AET in predicting GERD symptom improvement when AET was  > 6% (AUC 0.766 vs. 0.606) and 4-6% (AUC 0.563 vs. 0.516) and outperformed MNBI overall (AUC 0.661 vs. 0.313).

BI calculation can be automated using AI. Novel AI metrics show potential in predicting GERD treatment outcome.
BI calculation can be automated using AI. Novel AI metrics show potential in predicting GERD treatment outcome.
The role of anticoagulation (AC) in the management of cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains unclear.

We conducted a retrospective study of cirrhotic patients diagnosed with PVT from 1/1/2000 through 2/1/2019, comparing those who received AC to those who did not.

Outcomes included rate of complete radiographic resolution (CRR) of PVT, recanalization of occlusive PVT (RCO), PVT extension, major bleeding, and overall survival (OS). The log-rank test was used to compare Kaplan-Meier distributions of time-to-event outcomes. Multivariable Cox-proportional-hazards modeling was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals.

A total of 214 patients were followed for a median 27months (IQR 12-48). Eighty-six patients (39%) received AC. AC was associated with significantly greater CRR (48% vs. DL-Alanine molecular weight 27%, p = 0.0007), (multivariable HR for CRR with AC; 2.49 (1.54-4.04, p = 0.0002)). AC was also associated with significantly greater RCO (69% vs. 28%, p = 0.0013), (multivariable HR for RCO with AC; 4.86 (1.91-12.37, p = 0.0009)). Rates of major bleeding were similar with and without AC (20% vs. 17%, p = 0.5207), multivariable HR for major bleeding with AC; 1.29 (0.68-2.46, p = 0.4423)). OS rates in the AC and no-AC groups were 83% and 70%, respectively (p = 0.1362), (HR for death with AC; 0.69 (0.38-1.28, p = 0.2441)). Among 75 patients who had CRR, 10 (13%) experienced recurrent PVT during follow-up (none were receiving AC at the time of recurrence).

AC appears safe and effective for the treatment of cirrhotic PVT; however, prospective studies to confirm these findings and evaluate additional outcomes are needed.
AC appears safe and effective for the treatment of cirrhotic PVT; however, prospective studies to confirm these findings and evaluate additional outcomes are needed.
A need for improved, cassette-based automation of
Cu separation from irradiated Ni targets was identified given the growing interest in theranostics, and generally lengthy separation chemistries for
Cu/
Ni, upon which
Cu chemistry is often based.

A method for separating
Cu from irradiated
Ni targets was therefore developed, with provision for target recycling. Following deuteron irradiation, electroplated
Ni targets were remotely transferred from the cyclotron and dissolved in acid. The dissolved target solution was then transferred to an automated FASTlab chemistry module, where sequential TBP and TK201 (Triskem) resins isolated the [
Cu]CuCl
, removed Ni, Co, and Fe, and concentrated the product into a formulation suitable for anticipated radiolabelling reactions.

Cu saturation yields of 190 ± 33 MBq/μA from energetically thick
Ni targets were measured. The average, decay-corrected, activity-based dissolution efficiency was 97.5 ± 1.4% with an average radiochemical yield of 90.4 ± 3.2% (N= 5). The isolated activity was collected approximately 65 min post end of bombardment in ~ 2 mL of 0.06 M HCl (HCl concentration was verified by titration). Quality control of the isolated [
Cu]CuCl
(N= 5) measured
Co content of (8.3 ± 0.6) × 10
% vs.
Cu by activity, Ni separation factors ≥ (2.2 ± 1.8) × 10
, EoB molar activities 85 ± 23 GBq/μmol and NOTA-based EoB apparent molar activities of 31 ± 8 MBq/nmol and 201 MBq/nmol for the 30 min and 3.3 h (N= 1) irradiations, respectively.

High purity
Cu was produced with the developed automated method using a single-use, cassette-based approach. It was also applicable for
Cu, as demonstrated with a single proof-of-concept
Ni target production run.
High purity 61Cu was produced with the developed automated method using a single-use, cassette-based approach. It was also applicable for 64Cu, as demonstrated with a single proof-of-concept 64Ni target production run.
Most patients diagnosed with cancer are administered systemic therapy and thesepatients are counselled and given printed education (PE) materials. High rates of low health literacy highlight the need to evaluate the quality of thesePE materials.

A current state assessment of the quality of PE materials was conducted in Ontario, Canada. Patient education leaders from 14 cancer centres submitted print materials on the topic of systemic cancer therapy to the assessment team. To report adherence to PE quality and health literacy best practices, the following validated measures were used readability (FRY, SMOG and Flesch Reading Ease), understandability and actionability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT)). Materials at grade level 6 or lower and with PEMAT scores greater than 80% were considered to meet health literacy best practices.

A total of 1146 materials were submitted; 366 met inclusion criteria and 83 were selected for assessment. Most materials scored below the 80% target for understandability (x̄ = 73%, 31-100%) and actionability (x̄ = 68%, 20-100%), and above the recommended grade 6 readability level (x̄ = grade 9) meaning that the majority did not meet quality standards or best practices.
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