Parkinson's disease variant detection and disclosure: PD GENEration, a North American study.

Variants in seven genes (LRRK2, GBA1, PRKN, SNCA, PINK1, PARK7 and VPS35) have been formally adjudicated as causal contributors to Parkinson's disease; however, individuals with Parkinson's disease are often unaware of their genetic status since clinical testing is infrequently offered. As a result, genetic information is not incorporated into clinical care, and variant-targeted precision medicine trials struggle to enrol people with Parkinson's disease. Understanding the yield of genetic testing using an established gene panel in a large, geographically diverse North American population would help patients, clinicians, clinical researchers, laboratories and insurers better understand the importance of genetics in approaching Parkinson's disease.

Color Flow Ultrasound Spatial Sampling Beam Density for Partial Volume-Corrected Three-Dimensional Volume Flow (3DVF): Theory, Simulation, and Experiment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify the accuracy of partial volume-corrected three-dimensional volume flow (3DVF) measurements as a function of spatial sampling beam density using carefully-designed parametric analyses in order to inform the target applications of 3DVF.

Methods: Experimental investigations employed a mechanically-swept curvilinear ultrasound array to acquire 3D color flow (6.3 MHz) images in flow phantoms consisting of four lumen diameters (6.

Social Determinants of Health and Parenting Self-Efficacy Among Mothers of Preterm Infants.

Objective: To explore the relationships between social and environmental factors and parenting self-efficacy (PSE) among mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) using a social determinants of health (SDoH) framework.

Method: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study that included 187 mother-infant dyads admitted to four NICUs in the Mountain West region between June 2017 and December 2019. We used multivariable linear regression models to assess the independent associations between maternal and infant characteristics and PSE.

International Genetic Testing and Counseling Practices for Parkinson's Disease.

Background: There is growing clinical and research utilization of genetic testing in Parkinson's disease (PD), including direct-to-consumer testing.

Objectives: The aim is to determine the international landscape of genetic testing in PD to inform future worldwide recommendations.

Methods: A web-based survey assessing current practices, concerns, and barriers to genetic testing and counseling was administered to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society membership.

Providing genetic testing and genetic counseling for Parkinson's disease to the community.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and impact of offering genetic testing and counseling to patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), with the potential to enroll in gene-targeted clinical trials and improve clinical care.

Methods: A multicenter, exploratory pilot study at 7 academic hospital sites in the United States tracked enrollment and randomized participants to receive results and genetic counseling at local sites or by genetic counselors, remotely. Follow-up surveys measured participant/provider satisfaction, knowledge, and psychological impact.

A systematic examination of quality-adjusted price index alternatives for medical care using claims data.

We investigate alternative methods for constructing quality-adjusted medical price indexes both theoretically and empirically using medical claims data. The methodology and assumptions applied in the formation of the index have substantive effects on the magnitude of the quality-adjusted price changes. A method based on utility theory produces the most robust and accurate results, while alternative methods used in recent work overstate inflation.

Evolving the surveillance and workup of heart transplant rejection: A real-world analysis of the Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System.

The Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System (MMDx) analyzes RNA transcripts of transplanted heart tissue to differentiate among T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), injury, and healthy tissue. However, little is known about its performance in relation to other modalities in a real-world heart transplant population. We evaluated whether MMDx performs in agreement with other validated modalities.

The Association of Social Factors and Time Spent in the NICU for Mothers of Very Preterm Infants.

Objectives: Evaluate the association between maternal social factors and maternal time spent in the NICU for very preterm infants admitted to 4 level III and IV NICUs.

Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, we enrolled mother-infant dyads whose infants were born <32 weeks' gestation. Enrollment occurred after 2 weeks of NICU exposure, when maternal social factors and demographic information was collected.

The metabolic profile of Bifidobacterium dentium reflects its status as a human gut commensal.

Background: Bifidobacteria are commensal microbes of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we aimed to identify the intestinal colonization mechanisms and key metabolic pathways implemented by Bifidobacterium dentium.

Results: B.

The Colorado Hospitals Substance Exposed Newborn Quality Improvement Collaborative: Standardization of Care for Opioid-Exposed Newborns Shortens Length of Stay and Reduces Number of Infants Requiring Opiate Therapy.

Objectives: To decrease the average length of stay (LOS) of opioid-exposed newborns (OENs) by 20% from baseline from April 2017 to December 2019.

Methods: The Colorado Hospitals Substance Exposed Newborn Quality Improvement Collaborative is a consortium of neonatal providers, public health experts, and legislative experts that provides infrastructure and resources for Colorado birthing hospitals to undertake initiatives focused on improving the care of OENs. The Colorado Hospitals Substance Exposed Newborn Quality Improvement Collaborative was started in September 2017 and includes 19 birthing hospitals in Colorado, with 12 contributing data to the centralized database.

Ixazomib for Treatment of Refractory Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Chronic GVHD Consortium Phase II Trial.

New interventions are needed in advanced chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In a phase II, single-arm, multicenter trial, we examined the efficacy of ixazomib in patients with chronic GVHD who had progressed after at least 1 previous line of systemic immunosuppressive (IS) therapy. Ixazomib was given as a 4 mg oral dose weekly on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle for up to 6 total cycles.

Enhancing responsiveness of human jejunal enteroids to host and microbial stimuli.

Key Points: Enteroids are a physiologically relevant model to examine the human intestine and its functions. Previously, the measurable cytokine response of human intestinal enteroids has been limited following exposure to host or microbial pro-inflammatory stimuli. Modifications to enteroid culture conditions facilitated robust human cytokine responses to pro-inflammatory stimuli.

Optimizing future planning in Parkinson disease: suggestions for a comprehensive roadmap from patients and care partners.

Background: Living with Parkinson disease (PD) is complicated by an unpredictable disease course which can delay planning for future needs. This study explores patient and care partner needs related to future planning using a palliative care framework with physical, psychological, social, cultural, end-of-life, and ethical aspects of care in PD to guide analysis.

Methods: Secondary analysis of patient and care partner interviews from a randomized clinical trial comparing interdisciplinary outpatient palliative care versus standard care for individuals with PD and care partners in an academic setting.

ClC transporter activity modulates histidine catabolism in Lactobacillus reuteri by altering intracellular pH and membrane potential.

Background: Histamine is a key mediator of the anti-inflammatory activity conferred by the probiotic organism Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 in animal models of colitis and colorectal cancer. In L. reuteri, histamine synthesis and secretion requires L-histidine decarboxylase and a L-histidine/histamine exchanger.

Correction: Genetic testing for Parkinson disease: current practice, knowledge, and attitudes among US and Canadian movement disorders specialists.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Genetic testing for Parkinson disease: current practice, knowledge, and attitudes among US and Canadian movement disorders specialists.

Purpose: Genetic testing for Parkinson disease (PD) has not been widely used in clinical practice. In preparation for upcoming precision medicine-designed clinical trials for GBA and LRRK2, we evaluated movement disorders specialists' current practice, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to genetic testing in PD.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to movement disorders specialists at 146 Parkinson Study Group (PSG) sites in the United States (n = 131) and Canada (n = 15) to assess their knowledge and attitudes about genetic testing for PD.

Phagocytosis by macrophages depends on histamine H2 receptor signaling and scavenger receptor 1.

The histamine H2 receptor (H2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that mediates cyclic AMP production, protein kinase A activation, and MAP kinase signaling. In order to explore the multifaceted effects of histamine signaling on immune cells, phagocytosis was evaluated using primary mouse-derived macrophages. Phagocytosis is initiated by signaling via surface-bound scavenger receptors and can be regulated by autophagy.

Bifidobacterium dentium Fortifies the Intestinal Mucus Layer via Autophagy and Calcium Signaling Pathways.

Much remains unknown about how the intestinal microbiome interfaces with the protective intestinal mucus layer. species colonize the intestinal mucus layer and can modulate mucus production by goblet cells. However, select strains can also degrade protective glycans on mucin proteins.

Framing advance care planning in Parkinson disease: Patient and care partner perspectives.

Objective: Advance care planning (ACP) is a core quality measure in caring for individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) and there are no best practice standards for how to incorporate ACP into PD care. This study describes patient and care partner perspectives on ACP to inform a patient- and care partner-centered framework for clinical care.

Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study of 30 patients with PD and 30 care partners within a multisite, randomized clinical trial of neuropalliative care compared to standard care.

Distinct roles of histamine H1- and H2-receptor signaling pathways in inflammation-associated colonic tumorigenesis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a well-known risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer. Prior studies have demonstrated that microbial histamine can ameliorate intestinal inflammation in mice. We tested the hypothesis whether microbe-derived luminal histamine suppresses inflammation-associated colon cancer in Apc mice.

Iron as a model nutrient for understanding the nutritional origins of neuropsychiatric disease.

Adequate nutrition during the pre- and early-postnatal periods plays a critical role in programming early neurodevelopment. Disruption of neurodevelopment by nutritional deficiencies can result not only in lasting functional deficits, but increased risk of neuropsychiatric disease in adulthood. Historical periods of famine such as the Dutch Hunger Winter and the Chinese Famine have provided foundational evidence for the long-term effects of developmental malnutrition on neuropsychiatric outcomes.