MICAL2 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Growth and Metastasis.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest solid cancers; thus, identifying more effective therapies is a major unmet need. In this study, we characterized the super enhancer (SE) landscape of human PDAC to identify drivers of the disease that might be targetable. This analysis revealed MICAL2 as a super enhancer-associated gene in human PDAC, which encodes the flavin monooxygenase MICAL2 that induces actin depolymerization and indirectly promotes SRF transcription by modulating the availability of serum response factor coactivators myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTF-A and MRTF-B).

Effect of Nicotine Replacement Therapy on Perioperative Pain Management and Opioid Requirement in Abstinent Tobacco Smokers Undergoing Spinal Fusion: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Smoking negatively impacts postoperative outcomes but acute abstinence from smoking during hospitalization can increase postoperative pain, lower pain thresholds, disrupt pain management, and trigger hyperalgesia due to abrupt nicotine withdrawal in tobacco users. Nicotine replacement therapy has been recommended to minimize these complications. We hypothesized that a high dose (21 mg/24 h) transdermal nicotine (TDN) patch would reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements.

Severe Maternal Morbidity and Other Perinatal Complications Among Black, Hispanic, and White Birthing Persons With and Without Physical Disabilities.

People with physical disabilities are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Risks may be even greater for disabled people in minoritized racial or ethnic groups, but little is known about this intersection. We analyzed linked hospital discharge and vital records data from California, 2008-2020.

Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Problems in Married Women in Rural Central India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant social issue affecting women in rural India, with deleterious consequences for their physical and mental health. The "mental health problems and psychosocial factors associated with IPV" is an under-researched topic in Central India. The cross-sectional observational descriptive study was part of a project aimed at strengthening the health sector response to gender-based violence.

Association of body mass index on time to fetal expulsion for individuals undergoing medication abortion over 13 weeks gestational duration.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of body mass index (BMI, kg/m) with time to fetal expulsion for individuals undergoing medication abortion over 13 weeks.

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies undergoing medication abortion >13 weeks at a single academic medical center between 2020 and 2024. Our primary outcome was time to fetal expulsion.