PTK2-associated gene signature could predict the prognosis of IPF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease with a poor prognosis. Current/available clinical prediction tools have limited sensitivity and accuracy when evaluating clinical outcomes of IPF. Research has shown that focal adhesion kinase (FAK), produced by the protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) gene, is crucial in IPF development. FAK activation is a characteristic of lesional fibroblasts; Thus, FAK may be a valuable therapeutic target or prognostic biomarker for IPF. This study aimed to create a gene signature based on PTK2-associated genes and microarray data from blood cells to predict disease prognosis in patients with IPF. PTK2 levels were found to be higher in lung tissues of IPF patients compared to healthy controls, and PTK2 inhibitor Defactinib was found to reduce TGFß-induced FAK activation and increase α-smooth muscle actin. Although the blood PTK2 levels were higher in IPF patients, blood PTK level alone could not predict IPF prognosis. From 196 PTK2-associated genes, 11 genes were prioritized to create a gene signature (PTK2 molecular signature) and a risk score system using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups using PTK2 molecular signature. Patients in the high-risk group experienced decreased survival rates compared to patients in the low-risk group across all discovery and validation cohorts. Further functional enrichment and immune cell proportion analyses revealed that the PTK2 molecular signature strongly reflected the activation levels of immune pathways and immune cells. These findings suggested that PTK2 is a molecular target of IPF and the PTK2 molecular signature is an effective IPF prognostic biomarker.

"La Perla Del Mar": A Case Report on Subcutaneous Penile Implants.

The purpose of this report is to alert and inform the medical community about the presence and practice of subcutaneous penile implants (SPIs), which are used with the intent of increasing sexual pleasure. This case aspires to deflect plausible misconceptions in the specific populations who use the SPIs. This case study was performed in January 2023 at a tertiary care center in Miami, Florida. A 61-year-old Cuban male admitted for a routine hernia repair with an incidental finding of a benign SPI was interviewed and examined; an extended collection of historical information regarding the patient's penile implant was ascertained. The patient stated that there was a tradition among the men and adolescent individuals living along coastal cities/towns of Cuba such as Havana and Matanzas who would elect to have pieces of stones or gems or any solid objects shaped and molded into round objects that are used for the intent of increasing sexual pleasure. The patient referred to the implant as "La Perla Del Mar," which translates directly into "Pearl of the Sea." Upon visualization of the nodule on examination, a differential diagnosis may include infection (such as syphilis), granulomas, sarcoidosis, dermatofibroma, epithelial inclusion cyst, or malignancy. However, an appropriate workup informed us about the penile implant. Clinicians should employ caution in investigating a penile nodule by taking a detailed social and sexual history and physical exam from the patient if possible. This case and the literature review cited to bolster the notion of a lack of chronic symptoms due to the inserted objects. Several provocations for the implantation of an artificial penile nodule, in this case, maybe extrapolated, such as the desire for a prospective partner's pleasure/displeasure, group identification, or masculine embodiment. The main takeaways from this case report are the considerations that should be taken in the older Caribbean population for patients with the "Perla Del Mar" implantation and bolstering the notion of complete sexual education for clinicians regarding specific populations to enhance patient care.

Brown Carbon from Photo-Oxidation of Glyoxal and SO2 in Aqueous Aerosol.

Aqueous-phase dark reactions during the co-oxidation of glyoxal and S(IV) were recently identified as a potential source of brown carbon (BrC). Here, we explore the effects of sunlight and oxidants on aqueous solutions of glyoxal and S(IV), and on aqueous aerosol exposed to glyoxal and SO2. We find that BrC is able to form in sunlit, bulk-phase, sulfite-containing solutions, albeit more slowly than in the dark. In more atmospherically relevant chamber experiments where suspended aqueous aerosol particles are exposed to gas-phase glyoxal and SO2, the formation of detectable amounts of BrC requires an OH radical source and occurs most rapidly after a cloud event. From these observations we infer that this photobrowning is caused by radical-initiated reactions as evaporation concentrates aqueous-phase reactants and aerosol viscosity increases. Positive-mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of aerosol-phase products reveals a large number of CxHyOz oligomers that are reduced rather than oxidized (relative to glyoxal), with the degree of reduction increasing in the presence of OH radicals. This again suggests a radical-initiated redox mechanism where photolytically produced aqueous radical species trigger S(IV)-O2 auto-oxidation chain reactions, and glyoxal-S(IV) redox reactions especially if aerosol-phase O2 is depleted. This process may contribute to daytime BrC production and aqueous-phase sulfur oxidation in the atmosphere. The BrC produced, however, is about an order of magnitude less light-absorbing than wood smoke BrC at 365 nm.

Correction to Brown Carbon from Photo-Oxidation of Glyoxal and SO2 in Aqueous Aerosol.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00035.].