Evaluation of the MRX PT DOAC assay for detection of clinically relevant factor Xa inhibitor drug levels.

Background: Although routine monitoring is not needed for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), knowing if a clinically relevant DOAC level is present can be critical, especially in cases of severe bleeding or urgent surgery. Rapid assays to exclude these levels are necessary but not widely available.

Objectives: To determine the test performance of MRX PT DOAC for excluding clinically relevant DOAC drug levels.

Advancements in aspiration catheter tip design for thrombectomy: a comprehensive patent review.

Thrombus removal from the human body is facilitated through the utilization of aspiration catheters during minimally invasive thrombectomy procedures, where a pressure differential guides the targeted tissue through a flexible tubular medical instrument. In this paper, we present a patent analysis of thrombectomy aspiration catheter tip designs sourced from the EspaceNet database. Our findings reveal that enhancing the operability of aspiration catheters can be achieved by improving ease of positioning or suction capacity, whether through active or passive means.

Newest "Co-Members" of the 1000s Club: A Case of Severe Transaminitis Secondary to Epstein-Barr and Dengue Virus Co-Infection in a Returning Traveler.

Background: Timely identification of the etiology of transaminitis is critical in informing subsequent management as strategies can vary from supportive care to urgent transplant assessment. This is especially important in returning travelers as there may be multiple causes of injury that need to be addressed.

Case Report: We present a case of severe transaminitis secondary to non-hepatitis viral co-infections.

Unified Magnifying Endoscopic Classification (UMEC) of Gastrointestinal Lesions: A North American Validation Study.

Background And Study Aim: Magnifying endoscopy enables the diagnosis of advanced neoplasia throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The unified magnifying endoscopic classification (UMEC) framework unifies optical diagnosis criteria in the esophagus, stomach, and colon, dividing lesions into three categories: non-neoplastic, intramucosal neoplasia, and deep submucosal invasive cancer. This study aims to ascertain the performance of North American endoscopists when using the UMEC.

Mid-infrared Imaging Using Strain-Relaxed GeSn Alloys Grown on 20 nm Ge Nanowires.

Germanium-tin (GeSn) semiconductors are a front-runner platform for compact mid-infrared devices due to their tunable narrow bandgap and compatibility with silicon processing. However, their large lattice parameter has been a major hurdle, limiting the quality of epitaxial layers grown on silicon or germanium substrates. Herein, we demonstrate that 20 nm Ge nanowires (NWs) act as effective compliant substrates to grow extended defect-free GeSn alloys with a composition uniformity over several micrometers along the NW growth axis without significant buildup of the compressive strain.

Investigating the Skill Development of Medical Students in Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma (FAST) Ultrasound: A Comparative Analysis Across Different Stages of Medical Training.

Introduction: Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) ultrasound (US) is a valuable medical examination used in trauma settings, particularly for rapid responses to events such as natural disasters. Although the efficacy and benefits of FAST in patient care have been extensively studied, there is limited research on training medical students in FAST. Previous studies have found that medical students can proficiently perform a FAST US after two days of training.

Analyzing Barriers and Enablers for the Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence Innovations into Radiology Practice: A Scoping Review.

Objectives: This scoping review was conducted to determine the barriers and enablers associated with the acceptance of artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML)-enabled innovations into radiology practice from a physician's perspective.

Methods: A systematic search was performed using Ovid Medline and Embase. Keywords were used to generate refined queries with the inclusion of computer-aided diagnosis, artificial intelligence, and barriers and enablers.

The pharmacokinetic profile of brensocatib and its effect on pharmacodynamic biomarkers including NE, PR3, and CatG in various rodent species.

Brensocatib is a novel, oral, selective, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1 (DPP1), which activates several neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), including neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3 (PR3), and cathepsin G (CatG) in the bone marrow during the early stage of neutrophil maturation. These NSPs are associated with pathogen destruction and inflammatory mediation; their dysregulated activation can result in excess secretion of active NSPs causing damaging inflammation and contributing to neutrophil-mediated inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Pharmacological inhibition of DPP1 in the bone marrow could therefore represent an attractive strategy for these neutrophil-driven diseases.

Simple and Fast Locomotion of Vibrating Asymmetric Soft Robots.

To be fully integrated into the activities of our daily lives, robots need to be capable of traversing unstructured environments and interacting safely with their surroundings. Soft robots are perfect candidates since they can adapt to their surroundings through passive material compliance, rather than relying on complex control. However, the same compliance hinders the generation of propelling forces, and current approaches face a trade-off between traveling speed, action range, and control complexity.

Predictive validity of the Infant Toddler Checklist in primary care at the 18-month visit and developmental diagnosis at 3-5 years: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: There is international variation in recommendations regarding developmental screening and growing recognition of the low sensitivity of commonly used developmental screening tools. Our objective was to examine the predictive validity of the Infant Toddler Checklist (ITC) at 18 months to predict a developmental diagnosis at 3-5 years, in a primary care setting.

Methods: We designed a prospective cohort study, recruiting in primary care in Toronto, Canada.

Drivers and restrainers to adoption and spread of evidence-based health service delivery interventions: The case of CAPABLE.

Context: Very few programs improve physical function among older adults and those that do should achieve farther reach.

Methods: We used Force Field Analysis to examine drivers and restrainers for the CAPABLE program to impact the function of older adults throughout the United States.

Findings: We found 19 distinct drivers for CAPABLE.

Differential Domain Distribution of gnomAD- and Disease-Linked Connexin Missense Variants.

Twenty-one human genes encode connexins, a family of homologous proteins making gap junction (GJ) channels, which mediate direct intercellular communication to synchronize tissue/organ activities. Genetic variants in more than half of the connexin genes are associated with dozens of different Mendelian inherited diseases. With rapid advances in DNA sequencing technology, more variants are being identified not only in families and individuals with diseases but also in people in the general population without any apparent linkage to Mendelian inherited diseases.

Selective blood-nerve barrier leakiness with claudin-1 and vessel-associated macrophage loss in diabetic polyneuropathy.

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication in diabetes and can be painful in up to 26% of all diabetic patients. Peripheral nerves are shielded by the blood-nerve barrier (BNB) consisting of the perineurium and endoneurial vessels. So far, there are conflicting results regarding the role and function of the BNB in the pathophysiology of DPN.

Connexin 46 and connexin 50 gap junction channel properties are shaped by structural and dynamic features of their N-terminal domains.

Key Points: Gap junctions formed by different connexins are expressed throughout the body and harbour unique channel properties that have not been fully defined mechanistically. Recent structural studies by cryo-electron microscopy have produced high-resolution models of the related but functionally distinct lens connexins (Cx50 and Cx46) captured in a stable open state, opening the door for structure-function comparison. Here, we conducted comparative molecular dynamics simulation and electrophysiology studies to dissect the isoform-specific differences in Cx46 and Cx50 intercellular channel function.

Beyond Constant Curvature: A New Mechanics Model for Unidirectional Notched-Tube Continuum Wrists.

This paper presents a new mechanics model for unidirectional notched-tube continuum wrists, a class of mechanisms frequently used to implement distal steering in needle-sized surgical robotic instruments. Existing kinematic models available for these devices are based on the simplifying assumption that, during actuation, all the notches undergo the same amount of deflection, so that the shape of a wrist can be approximated by an arc of constant curvature. This approach is analytically attractive, but, as we show in this paper, it can sometimes fail to provide good tracking accuracy.

Medicaid reimbursement for pharmacist services: A strategy for the pharmacy profession.

Purpose: Reimbursement for pharmacist services is complex due to a different set of rules for each payer. State legislatures, regulators, and professional licensing bodies have expanded the scope of practice for pharmacists in many states, representing a significant opportunity for third-party payers, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to enable and expand patient access to, and receipt of, care from pharmacists. This paper will introduce the term "other licensed practitioner" and describe how a state Medicaid program may include covered services provided by a pharmacist practitioner using the Medicaid state plan amendment process.

Thromboprophylaxis for patients with newly diagnosed vs. recurrent cancers: a post-hoc analysis of the avert trial.

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) is a common complication among patients with cancer. Data reporting risk of VTE among patients receiving chemotherapy for recurrent cancer compared to those with newly diagnosed tumors is scarce. Furthermore, it is unclear if thromboprophylaxis is beneficial and safe in these specific patient populations.

Backward walking sensitively detects fallers in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Individuals with multiple sclerosis experience deficits in mobility resulting in injurious falls. Fall detection has proved challenging; the majority of clinical measures rely on forward walking and balance measures, yet these measures have poor sensitivity and predictive value for differentiating between fallers and non-fallers. Backward walking better differentiates fallers from non-fallers in the elderly and other neurodegenerative diseases; therefore, the objective of this study was to examine both forward and backward walking to determine the strongest, unique contributor that differentiates fallers from non-fallers in persons with multiple sclerosis.

A proposed soft pneumatic actuator control based on angle estimation from data-driven model.

This article proposes a bending angle controller for soft pneumatic actuators, which could be implemented in soft robotic rehabilitation gloves to assist patients with hand impairment, such as stroke survivors. A data-driven model is used to estimate the angle as pneumatic pressure is applied to the actuator. Furthermore, a finite element model was used to manually optimize the dimensions of the actuator.

Calling Out MS Fatigue: Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Pilot Randomized Telephone-Delivered Exercise Intervention for Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue.

Background And Purpose: Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise therapy is effective in reducing MS-related fatigue; however, its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness when delivered over the telephone remain unknown. This randomized study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a telephone-delivered exercise intervention for MS-related fatigue.

Impact of a Real-World Lifestyle Intervention in an Entire Latin American City with More Than 50,000 People.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a real-world citywide intervention on physical activity and eating habits in a Latin American city with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Methods: This was a plausibility assessment of a real-life intervention. A probabilistic sample (n = 1,424) from Jaguariuna (Sao Paulo, Brazil) was assessed before and after a 7-month intervention aimed at increasing physical activity levels and improving eating habits at a city level.

Conjunction search: Can we simultaneously bias attention to features and relations?

Attention allows selection of sought-after objects by tuning attention in a top-down manner to task-relevant features. Among other possible search modes, attention can be tuned to the exact feature values of a target (e.g.

Tackling Youth Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior in an Entire Latin America City.

Real-world interventions are fundamental to bridge the research-practice gap in healthy lifestyle promotion. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 7-month, intensive, city-wide intervention ("Life of Health") on tackling youth inactivity and sedentary behavior in an entire Latin-American city (Jaguariuna, Brazil). For youth, a program focused on tackling inactivity/sedentary behavior was delivered at every school ( = 18).