Premature ovarian insufficiency in female adolescent and young adult survivors of non-gynecological cancers: a population-based cohort study.

Background: The risk of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is increased in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, with the prevalence depending on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient factors. Prior studies are limited by sample size and type of cancer included. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of POI in female AYA survivors of non-gynecologic cancers, using a population-based approach.

Passively scanned, single-fiber optical coherence tomography probes for gastrointestinal devices.

Background/objectives: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses low coherence interferometry to obtain depth-resolved tissue reflectivity profiles (M-mode) and transverse beam scanning to create images of two-dimensional tissue morphology (B-mode). Endoscopic OCT imaging probes typically employ proximal or distal mechanical beam scanning mechanisms that increase cost, complexity, and size. Here, we demonstrate in the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of unsedated human patients, that a passive, single-fiber probe can be used to guide device placement, conduct device-tissue physical contact sensing, and obtain two-dimensional OCT images via M-to-B-mode conversion.

Preoperative ultrasound accurately characterizes surgically confirmed extracranial spinal accessory nerve injuries.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of preoperative ultrasound and MRI in surgically confirmed spinal accessory nerve injuries and present the benefits of a multimodality image review.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of 38 consecutive patients referred to a peripheral nerve surgical practice at an academic teaching hospital with surgically confirmed spinal accessory nerve injuries. All cases were reviewed for patient demographics, date and cause of injury, preoperative EMG, and surgical diagnosis and management.

Dual-modality optical coherence tomography and fluorescence tethered capsule endomicroscopy.

OCT tethered capsule endomicroscopy (TCE) is an emerging noninvasive diagnostic imaging technology for gastrointestinal (GI) tract disorders. OCT measures tissue reflectivity that provides morphologic image contrast, and thus is incapable of ascertaining molecular information that can be useful for improving diagnostic accuracy. Here, we introduce an extension to OCT TCE that includes a fluorescence (FL) imaging channel for attaining complementary, co-registered molecular contrast.

Modeling, optimization, and validation of an extended-depth-of-field optical coherence tomography probe based on a mirror tunnel.

The diagnostic capability of high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) may be enhanced by using extended depth-of-field (EDOF) imaging that retains high transverse resolution over long depths. A recently developed mirror-tunnel optical probe design (single-mode fiber to multimode fiber to lens structure) that generates coaxially focused modes has been previously shown to enable EDOF for endoscopic OCT applications. Here, we present ray-tracing optical modeling of this optical configuration, which has the potential to guide performance improvement through optimization.

Feasibility and Safety of Tethered Capsule Endomicroscopy in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus in a Multi-Center Study.

Background & Aims: Tethered capsule endomicroscopy (TCE) involves swallowing a small tethered pill that implements optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, procuring high resolution images of the whole esophagus. Here, we demonstrate and evaluate the feasibility and safety of TCE and a portable OCT imaging system in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) in a multi-center (5-site) clinical study.

Methods: Untreated patients with BE as per endoscopic biopsy diagnosis were eligible to participate in the study.

Fat quantification of the rotator cuff musculature using dual-energy CT-A pilot study.

Purpose: To assess the ability of dual-energy CT (DECT) as a novel technique to quantify the degree of rotator cuff fat degeneration.

Method: Clinically indicated shoulder CT exams for evaluation of osteoarthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, pain or instability, or preoperative planning were acquired using dual-source CT systems. Rotator cuff DECT fat fraction after material decomposition was calculated off the sagittal image.

Intranasal deferoxamine can improve memory in healthy C57 mice, suggesting a partially non-disease-specific pathway of functional neurologic improvement.

Introduction: Intranasal deferoxamine (IN DFO) has been shown to decrease memory loss and have beneficial impacts across several models of neurologic disease and injury, including rodent models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Methods: In order to assess the mechanism of DFO, determine its ability to improve memory from baseline in the absence of a diseased state, and assess targeting ability of intranasal delivery, we treated healthy mice with IN DFO (2.4 mg) or intraperitoneal (IP) DFO and compared behavioral and biochemical changes with saline-treated controls.

Understanding Placentophagy.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period related to placentophagy.

Design: Mixed methods study (cross-sectional survey and online discussions).

Setting: We used social media to advertise the study to mother/parenting groups.

Food consumption and activity levels increase in rats following intranasal Hypocretin-1.

Hypocretin-1 (HC, orexin-A) is a neuropeptide involved in regulating physiological functions of sleep, appetite and arousal, and it has been shown that intranasal (IN) administration can target HC to the brain. Recent clinical studies have shown that IN HC has functional effects in human clinical trials. In this study, we use rats to determine whether IN HC has an immediate effect on food consumption and locomotor activity, whether distribution in the brain after IN delivery is dose-dependent, and whether MAPK and PDK1 are affected after IN delivery.

Biodegradable polyphosphazene biomaterials for tissue engineering and delivery of therapeutics.

Degradable biomaterials continue to play a major role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as well as for delivering therapeutic agents. Although the chemistry of polyphosphazenes has been studied extensively, a systematic review of their applications for a wide range of biomedical applications is lacking. Polyphosphazenes are synthesized through a relatively well-known two-step reaction scheme which involves the substitution of the initial linear precursor with a wide range of nucleophiles.

Expression, purification, and analysis of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases.

G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) were first identified based on their ability to specifically phosphorylate activated GPCRs. Although many soluble substrates have since been identified, the chief physiological role of GRKs still remains the uncoupling of GPCRs from heterotrimeric G-proteins by promoting β-arrestin binding through the phosphorylation of the receptor. It is expected that GRKs recognize activated GPCRs through a docking site that not only recognizes the active conformation of the transmembrane domain of the receptor but also stabilizes a more catalytically competent state of the kinase domain.

Intranasal deferoxamine improves performance in radial arm water maze, stabilizes HIF-1α, and phosphorylates GSK3β in P301L tau transgenic mice.

Deferoxamine (DFO), a metal chelator, has been previously reported to slow the loss of spatial memory in a mouse model of amyloid accumulation when delivered intranasally (IN). In this study, we determined whether IN DFO also has beneficial effects in the P301L mouse, which accumulates hyperphosphorylated tau. Mice were intranasally treated three times per week with either 10% DFO (2.

Neuropsychological and neurophysiological assessment of sport concussion in children, adolescents and adults.

Objective: To determine whether age differences exist with respect to neuropsychological and electrophysiological functioning following a sport concussion.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: Ninety-six athletes (9-12 years, n = 32; 13-16 years, n = 34; adults, n = 30), half of whom had a sport concussion.

Critical illness risk for type 2 diabetes.

Background: Applicants with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk for many of the events covered by critical illness insurance. The relative risk of cardiovascular disease has not been quantified from an insurance perspective.

Methods: A literature search is done to determine the relative risk of cardiovascular disease, followed by an actuarial analysis to estimate the morbidity ratio for newly diagnosed diabetics compared to nondiabetics.