Alveolar macrophages are early targets of mumps virus.

Formerly a common childhood pathogen, mumps virus (MuV) remains active worldwide, despite relatively high vaccine coverage. MuV is thought to infect the upper respiratory tract before disseminating to other organs; however, the early cellular targets of MuV in vivo are unknown. To address this, we generated a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged vaccine strain (JL5) of MuV to infect leukocytic cell lines and found that replication was greatest in monocytes.

Enhancing Radiological Reporting in Head and Neck Cancer: Converting Free-Text CT Scan Reports to Structured Reports Using Large Language Models.

 The aim of this study was to assess efficacy of large language models (LLMs) for converting free-text computed tomography (CT) scan reports of head and neck cancer (HNCa) patients into a structured format using a predefined template.  A retrospective study was conducted using 150 CT reports of HNCa patients. A comprehensive structured reporting template for HNCa CT scans was developed, and the Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) was initially used to convert 50 CT reports into a structured format using this template.

Randomized Trials Using Provincial Health Numbers for Group Assignment.

Purpose: Using data from Ontario, Canada, this report shows how provincial government-assigned health card numbers can be used for individual-level randomization in large pragmatic trials. We describe how health card numbers are assigned and analyze the distribution of health card digits in a trial setting. We then provide an example of how they can be used for randomization and discuss the methodological and practical considerations of the approach.

Higher dose antiviral therapy for herpes infections is associated with a risk of serious adverse events in older adults with chronic kidney disease.

Antiviral use has been linked to encephalopathy and elevated serum creatinine concentrations in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in case reports. Using linked healthcare data in Ontario, we conducted a population-based cohort study on adults aged ≥66 years not receiving dialysis and newly prescribed oral acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir in the outpatient setting (2008-2022) at higher versus lower doses. The primary composite outcome, a hospital visit with encephalopathy or acute kidney injury (AKI) within 14 days of initiating antiviral treatment, was examined in a primary cohort.

Pregnancy Outcomes in Living Kidney Donors: Protocol of a Population-Based Cohort Study in Three Canadian Provinces.

Background: A substantial proportion of living kidney donors are women of childbearing age. Some prior studies report a higher risk of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia in living kidney donors compared with nondonors. Further research is needed to better quantify the risk of adverse maternal, fetal/infant, and neonatal outcomes attributable to living kidney donation.

Comprehensive Codified Algorithms to Identify the Underestimated Burden of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the United States.

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, inflammatory skin disease associated with a high disease burden and long diagnostic delay. Prevalence estimates of HS vary widely in the literature owing to differing estimation methodologies. This study aimed to apply stepwise algorithms to estimate the prevalence of possible/diagnosed cases of HS in the US.

Improving the management of chronic kidney disease in primary care by enhancing laboratory reports with additional information and follow-up procedures.

Identifying people at risk for progressive chronic kidney disease and connecting them with recommended care is crucial for providing timely and optimal treatment. The ASSIST-CKD (A programme to Spread eGFR [estimated glomerular filtration rate] graph Surveillance for the early identification, Support and Treatment of people with progressive CKD [chronic kidney disease]) trial evaluated the effect of graphical eGFR reporting to primary care physicians on late presentation to a nephrologist in the United Kingdom. Trial data were obtained from the UK Renal Registry.

Centralized Pump Monitoring System: Perception on Utility and Workflows by Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital.

Nurses play a key role in providing in-hospital care to patients. Worldwide, there has been a shortage of nursing staff, putting enormous strain on the existing nursing workforce physically and mentally. A vicious cycle of demanding workplaces exacerbated by perennial shortages leads to attrition and high staff turnover.

Long-Term Kidney Outcomes after Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury.

Key Points: Among 4173 children with AKI, 18% had major adverse kidney events (death, kidney failure, or CKD) during a median 10-year follow-up. AKI survivors were at 2–4 times higher risk of major adverse kidney events, hypertension, and subsequent AKI versus matched hospitalized comparators. This justifies improved surveillance after pediatric AKI to detect CKD and hypertension early and improve long-term kidney health.

Ambient air pollution and daily mortality in ten cities of India: a causal modelling study.

Background: The evidence for acute effects of air pollution on mortality in India is scarce, despite the extreme concentrations of air pollution observed. This is the first multi-city study in India that examines the association between short-term exposure to PM and daily mortality using causal methods that highlight the importance of locally generated air pollution.

Methods: We applied a time-series analysis to ten cities in India between 2008 and 2019.

Thirty-day risk of digoxin toxicity among older adults co-prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus amoxicillin: A population-based cohort study.

Importance: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) may increase digoxin concentration, a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. Small changes in digoxin concentration could predispose individuals to the risk of toxicity.

Objective: To characterize the risk of digoxin toxicity in older adults taking digoxin following co-prescription of TMP-SMX compared with co-prescription of amoxicillin.