Expanded Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines Among Adults Aged ≥50 Years: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2024.

Before October 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended use of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for all adults aged ≥65 years, as well as for those aged 19-64 years with risk conditions for pneumococcal disease who have not received a PCV or whose vaccination history is unknown. Options included either 20-valent PCV (PCV20; Prevnar20; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) or 21-valent PCV (PCV21; CAPVAXIVE; Merck Sharp & Dohme) alone or 15-valent PCV (PCV15; VAXNEUVANCE; Merck Sharp & Dohme) in series with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23; Pneumovax23; Merck Sharp & Dohme). There are additional recommendations for use of PCV20 or PCV21 for adults who started their pneumococcal vaccination series with 13-valent PCV (PCV13; Prevnar13; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals).

Photophysics-informed two-photon voltage imaging using FRET-opsin voltage indicators.

Microbial rhodopsin-derived genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) are powerful tools for mapping bioelectrical dynamics in cell culture and in live animals. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-opsin GEVIs use voltage-dependent quenching of an attached fluorophore, achieving high brightness, speed, and voltage sensitivity. However, the voltage sensitivity of most FRET-opsin GEVIs has been reported to decrease or vanish under two-photon (2P) excitation.

The effect of a provisional diagnosis on intern diagnostic reasoning: a mixed methods study.

Objectives: Competency in diagnostic reasoning is integral to medical training and patient safety. Situativity theory highlights the importance of contextual factors on learning and performance, such as being informed of a provisional diagnosis prior to a patient encounter. This study aims to determine how being informed of a provisional diagnosis affects an intern's approach to diagnostic reasoning.

Clonazepam repurposing in patients through conventional RCT and N-of-1 trials: an experimental strategy for orphan disease development.

Background: Clinical trials for rare disorders have unique challenges due to low prevalence, patient phenotype variability and high expectations. These challenges are highlighted by our study on clonazepam in patients, a common cause of intellectual disability. Previous studies on Arid1b-haploinsufficient mice showed positive effects of clonazepam on various cognitive aspects.

Phase 1b/2 study of orally administered pexidartinib in combination with radiation therapy and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) has a median survival of <2 years. Pexidartinib (PLX3397) is a small-molecule inhibitor of CSF1R, KIT, and oncogenic FTL3, which are implicated in GBM treatment resistance. Results from glioma models indicate that combining radiation therapy (RT) and pexidartinib reduces radiation resistance.

BCMA-directed CAR T-cell Therapy in patients with multiple myeloma and CNS involvement.

We investigated BCMA-directed CART in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) and CNS involvement. Ten patients who received either ide-cel (n=6) or cilta-cel (n=4) were included in this analysis. Patients had brain/cranial nerve and/or spinal cord involvement/leptomeningeal disease evident on either MRI (100%) and/or CSF (40%).

PNEUMOCOCCAL SEROTYPE DISTRIBUTION AND COVERAGE OF EXISTING AND PIPELINE PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINES.

Background: (pneumococcus) causes invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and non-invasive acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Three pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are recommended in the United States with additional products in clinical trials. We aimed to estimate 1) proportions of IPD cases and pneumococcal ARIs caused by serotypes targeted by existing and pipeline PCVs and 2) annual U.

Global impact of ten-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in all ages (the PSERENADE project): a global surveillance analysis.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) that are ten-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent (PCV13) became available in 2010. We evaluated their global impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence in all ages.

Methods: Serotype-specific IPD cases and population denominators were obtained directly from surveillance sites using PCV10 or PCV13 in their national immunisation programmes and with a primary series uptake of at least 50%.

Ketamine induces plasticity in a norepinephrine-astroglial circuit to promote behavioral perseverance.

Transient exposure to ketamine can trigger lasting changes in behavior and mood. We found that brief ketamine exposure causes long-term suppression of futility-induced passivity in larval zebrafish, reversing the "giving-up" response that normally occurs when swimming fails to cause forward movement. Whole-brain imaging revealed that ketamine hyperactivates the norepinephrine-astroglia circuit responsible for passivity.

All-optical mapping of Ca transport and homeostasis in dendrites.

Calcium mediates many important signals in dendrites. However, the basic transport properties of calcium in dendrites have been difficult to measure: how far and how fast does a local influx of calcium propagate? We developed an all-optical system for simultaneous targeted Ca import and Ca concentration mapping. We co-expressed a blue light-activated calcium selective channelrhodopsin, CapChR2, with a far-red calcium sensor, FR-GECO1c, in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, and used patterned optogenetic stimulation to introduce calcium into cells with user-defined patterns of space and time.

Health-related quality of life outcomes in randomized controlled trials in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Since 2015 multiple combination treatments became available for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) without effectiveness cross-comparison. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) could aid in decision-making.

Methods: We systematically reviewed HRQoL publications (January 2015-September 2024) of phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in mHSPC using PRISMA guidelines, cross-compared HRQoL results and assessed usefulness to support decision-making (PROSPERO: CRD42023470698).

Safety and Efficacy of Teclistamab in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory AL Amyloidosis.

Introduction: Teclistamab has demonstrated deep responses in patients with multiple myeloma in the MajesTEC-1 study. However, the safety and efficacy of teclistamab in patients with AL amyloidosis are unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with biopsy-proven relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis who were treated with teclistamab from December 2022 to February 2024 at the University of Pennsylvania.

OnabotulinumA toxin injections: A novel option for management of refractory nocturnal enuresis.

Introduction: While not entirely understood, nocturnal enuresis (NE) has been considered pathophysiologically distinct from other non-neurogenic voiding disorders. We believe that a significant component of the pathology is due to bladder overactivity. Intravesical Onabotulinumtoxin A (OBTA) injections are utilized in overactive bladder management.

Characteristics and outcomes of therapy-related acute leukemia following autologous transplant (Auto-HCT) for multiple myeloma.

With a prolonging duration of survivorship, patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who receive high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT) have an increased risk of secondary malignancy, most concerning acute leukemia. We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with MM who underwent auto-HCT between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2023, who later developed therapy-related acute leukemia (t-AL). Of 1770 patients with MM who underwent auto-HCT, 18 (1.

A Flexible Organomagnetic Single-Layer Composite Film with Built-In Multistimuli Responsivity.

Materials possessing multiple properties and functionalities, that can be controlled or modulated by external stimuli, are a central focus of current research in materials sciences due to their potential to significantly enhance various future technological applications. Herein, we report a significant advancement in this field through the development of a smart, multifunctional organomagnetic composite material. By utilizing a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polypyrrole (PPy) precursors, doped with nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs), we have created an innovative organomagnetic, PDMS/PPy/NiNPs (PPN), single-layer composite film that displays multistimuli responsivity.

Transdermal Minimally Invasive Optical Multiplex Detection of Protein Biomarkers by Nanopillars Array-Embedded Microneedles.

Biomarkers detection has become essential in medical diagnostics and early detection of life-threatening diseases. Modern-day medicine relies heavily on painful and invasive tests, with the extraction of large volumes of venous blood being the most common tool of biomarker detection. These tests are time-consuming, complex, expensive and require multiple sample manipulations and trained staff.

Two Outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease Associated with Outdoor Hot Tubs for Private Use - Two Cruise Ships, November 2022-July 2024.

Legionnaires disease is a serious pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. During November 2022-June 2024, CDC was notified of 12 cases of Legionnaires disease among travelers on two cruise ships; eight on cruise ship A and four on cruise ship B. CDC, in collaboration with the cruise lines, initiated investigations to ascertain the potential sources of on-board exposure after notification of the second potentially associated case for each ship.

Mapping uterine calcium dynamics during the ovulatory cycle in live mice.

Uterine contraction patterns vary during the ovulatory cycle and throughout pregnancy, but prior measurements have produced limited and conflicting information on these patterns. We combined a virally delivered genetically encoded calcium reporter (GCaMP8m) and ultra-widefield imaging in live nonpregnant mice to characterize uterine calcium dynamics at organ scale throughout the estrous cycle. Prior to ovulation (proestrus and estrus), uterine excitations primarily initiated in a region near the oviduct, but after ovulation (metestrus and diestrus), excitations initiated at loci homogeneously distributed throughout the organ.

Renal transplant nephrolithiasis: Presentation, management and follow-up with control comparisons.

Objectives: To analyse the presentation, management and long-term outcomes of renal transplant patients who formed kidney stones in their allograft. The secondary aim was to identify risk factors for stone formation in this cohort.

Materials And Methods: Patient information from an institutional renal transplant database was used to identify individuals who both did and did not form kidney stones following renal transplantation.

Impact of soluble BCMA and non-T-cell factors on refractoriness to BCMA-targeting T-cell engagers in multiple myeloma.

Adoptive T-cell therapy is a promising therapy for multiple myeloma (MM), but its efficacy hinges on understanding the relevant biologic and predictive markers of response. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a key target antigen in MM with active development of multiple anti-BCMA T-cell engagers (TCEs) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies. The regulation of surface BCMA expression by MM cells, which leads to shedding of soluble BCMA (sBCMA), has triggered debate about the significance of sBCMA as a predictive marker and its potential impact on treatment outcomes.

Jewish Americans' identity salience and effects on attitudes toward diversity.

Although Jewish people in the US are often racialized (i.e., perceived by others) as White, Jewish Americans vary in the extent to which they consider themselves White, and in how strongly they identify with being Jewish.