Publications by authors named "Judith A Smith"

Brucellosis, one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide, often results in osteoarticular complications including large joint and axial arthritis mimicking spondyloarthritis. To model this chronic manifestation, we infected autoimmunity-prone SKG mice containing a mutation in the T cell adaptor ZAP-70 with species. infection resulted in a fully penetrant, readily scoreable disease involving large joint wrist and foot arthritis, peri-ocular inflammation, and less frequent scaly paw rash.

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Purpose: To evaluate the pharmacology, efficacy, safety, and dosing and administration considerations (including adjusted ideal body weight [AIBW] dosing) for mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx, a first-in-class folate receptor alpha (FRα)-directed antibody-drug conjugate for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

Summary: A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the terms "ovarian cancer" and "mirvetuximab soravtansine" of articles published from inception to April 16, 2024. Relevant publications, abstracts, and clinical trials were reviewed.

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Unlabelled: Brucellosis, one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide, often results in osteoarticular complications including large joint and axial arthritis mimicking spondyloarthritis. To model this chronic manifestation, we infected autoimmunity-prone SKG mice containing a mutation in the T-cell adaptor ZAP-70 with species. infection resulted in a fully penetrant, readily scoreable disease involving large joint wrist and foot arthritis, peri-ocular inflammation, and less frequent scaly paw rash.

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Nutrition often shapes the outcome of host-parasite interactions, however understanding the mechanisms by which this occurs is often confounded by the intimate nature of the association and by the fact that the host and parasite may compete for the same limiting nutrients. One way of disentangling this interaction is to combine in vivo and in vitro approaches. Here, we explore the role of host nutrition in determining the outcome of infections using a model insect-bacterium system: the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and the blood-borne bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila.

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Objective: To evaluate the influence of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings on axial disease assessment in juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients with JSpA with suspected axial disease. Three experts reviewed each case and rated their confidence (-3 to +3) in the presence of axial disease, first with clinical data and second with clinical and MRI data.

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Objective: The Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO) recently undertook an effort to better harmonize the pediatric and adult arthritis criteria. These provisional criteria are being refined for optimal performance. We aimed to investigate differences between patients who did and did not fulfill these PRINTO criteria among youth diagnosed with juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA) that met axial juvenile SpA (axJSpA) classification criteria.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists studied a sensor called STING that helps the body respond to stress and viruses, even when there isn’t typical DNA present.* -
  • They found that a special stress response in cells called the unfolded protein response (UPR) can activate STING and help create a certain type of DNA that triggers defense responses.* -
  • They discovered that two specific pathways in the UPR, called IRE1 and PERK, play important roles in releasing this DNA and activating immune responses against viruses.*
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Objective: The goal was to develop and validate classification criteria for axial juvenile spondyloarthritis (SpA; AxJSpA).

Methods: This international initiative consisted of four phases: (1) item generation, (2) item reduction, (3) criteria development, and (4) validation of the AxJSpA criteria by an independent team of experts in an internationally representative validation cohort.

Results: These criteria are intended to be used on youth with a physician diagnosis of juvenile SpA and for whom axial disease is suspected.

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Background: In 2017, a group of trainee general practitioners (GPs) came together to design and deliver a six-session leadership development programme for their peer trainee and early career GPs: the Next Generation GP programme. Over 2500 GPs took part in Next Generation GP between 2017 and 2022.

Aim: To evaluate the origins and development of the Next Generation GP programme, its early impact on individuals and general practice, and what it reveals about GPs' needs for career and leadership development at a time of major workforce and demand pressures.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates how endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates the STING pathway, which is involved in immune responses, even in the absence of typical DNA or cyclic di-nucleotide stimuli.
  • - Researchers found that the induction of IFN-β (an immune response protein) during ER stress requires both STING and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), involving the release of mitochondrial DNA into the cytoplasm.
  • - The study identifies that specific ER stress pathways, particularly the IRE1-XBP1 and PERK pathways, are crucial for generating cytosolic dsDNA and modulating IFN-β production during responses to both viral infections and ER stress.
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Our study aims to address the challenges in drug development for glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer with poor prognosis. We propose a computational framework that utilizes machine learning-based propensity score matching to estimate counterfactual treatment effects and predict synergistic effects of drug combinations. Through our analysis, we identified promising drug candidates and drug combinations that warrant further investigation.

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Host:pathogen interactions dictate the outcome of infection, yet the limitations of current approaches leave large regions of this interface unexplored. Here, we develop a novel fitness-based screen that queries factors important during the middle to late stages of infection. This is achieved by engineering influenza virus to direct the screen by programming dCas9 to modulate host gene expression.

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Purpose: This study aimed to identify the most important attributes for a gonadotropin pen as perceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) patients and fertility nurses, and to examine how well a prototype HP-hMG (MENOPUR) pen reflects these preferences.

Patients And Methods: This market research study incorporated a two-part survey with respondents (N=221) from Poland, Spain and the UK. Respondents included patients (n=141) who consulted a fertility specialist in the previous 2 years, and fertility nurses (n=80) who assisted in at least 75 ART cycles/year.

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Article Synopsis
  • Intracellular pathogens use host factors to boost their replication and evade immune responses.
  • Genetic screens are helping to map the interactions between hosts and pathogens, but many areas remain unexplored.
  • A new screening method revealed that the enzyme TREX1 aids influenza virus replication by degrading mitochondrial DNA, preventing the activation of immune responses against the virus.
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Objective: To determine the efficacy, safety, and durability of the use of AHCC supplementation for 6 months to support the host immune system to clear high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The AHCC supplement is a proprietary, standardized extract of cultured lentinula edodes mycelia (AHCC, Amino Up, Ltd., Sapporo, Japan) that has been shown to have unique immune modulatory benefits.

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Invasive species pose a significant threat to biodiversity and agriculture world-wide. Natural enemies play an important part in controlling pest populations, yet we understand very little about the presence and prevalence of natural enemies during the early invasion stages. Microbial natural enemies of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda are known in its native region, however, they have not yet been identified in Africa where fall armyworm has been an invasive crop pest since 2016.

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Introduction: For more than a decade the English NHS has pursued integrated care through three national pilot programmes. The independent evaluators of these programmes here identify several common themes that inform the development of integrated care.

Description: The three pilot programmes shared the aim of better coordination between hospital and community-based health services and between health and social care.

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Understanding the population structure and movements of the invasive fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is important as it can help mitigate crop damage, and highlight areas at risk of outbreaks or evolving insecticide resistance. Determining population structure in invasive FAW has been a challenge due to genetic mutations affecting the markers traditionally used for strain and haplotype identification; mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COIB) and the Z-chromosome-linked Triosephosphate isomerase (Tpi). Here, we compare the results from COIB and Tpi markers with highly variable repeat regions (microsatellites) to improve our understanding of FAW population structure in Africa.

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Some studies have suggested children with juvenile onset spondyloarthritis (JoSpA) have a relatively poor outcome compared to other juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories, in regards to functional status and failure to attain remission. Thus, in the interest of earlier recognition and risk stratification, awareness of the unique characteristics of this group is critical. Herein, we review the clinical burden of disease, prognostic indicators and outcomes in JoSpA.

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The anti-viral pattern recognition receptor STING and its partnering cytosolic DNA sensor cGAS have been increasingly recognized to respond to self DNA in multiple pathologic settings including cancer and autoimmune disease. Endogenous DNA sources that trigger STING include damaged nuclear DNA in micronuclei and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). STING resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and particularly in the ER-mitochondria associated membranes.

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Brucellosis, caused by a number of Brucella species, remains the most prevalent zoonotic disease worldwide. Brucella establish chronic infections within host macrophages despite triggering cytosolic innate immune sensors, including Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), which potentially limit infection. In this study, STING was required for control of chronic Brucella infection in vivo.

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Objective: To develop an alternative approach to provide oncology pharmacy practice residents' education and training in the management of gynecologic malignancies in the absence of a specialist in this area at their institution.

Setting: Gynecologic oncology is a unique specialty in oncology. There is a need for more oncology clinical pharmacy specialists to participate in the care of patients with gynecologic malignancies as many do not have specific education in this area.

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