Broth microdilution protocol for determining antimicrobial susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila to clinically relevant antimicrobials.

Currently there is no detailed, internationally agreed protocol defined to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for Legionella pneumophila (required to establish epidemiological cut-off value or "ECOFF" boundaries); therefore, antimicrobial resistance in these isolates cannot be defined. AST methods utilising media containing activated charcoal as an ingredient, to enable Legionella growth, are unreliable as noted in an internationally authored opinion paper and a new gold standard is required. Here we define a detailed protocol for broth microdilution (BMD) using defined cell culture collection-deposited control reference strains (Philadelphia-1 and Knoxville-1) as well as two accessible reference strains with moderately (lpeAB-carrying) and markedly (23S rRNA mutation-carrying) elevated azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

Evaluating effects of meal delivery on the ability of homebound older adults to remain in the community via a pragmatic, two-arm, randomized comparative effectiveness trial: study protocol for the Deliver-EE trial.

Background: As food insecurity and healthcare costs are linked, healthcare entities (i.e., providers, healthcare systems, insurers) are increasingly interested in identifying and providing solutions to address food insecurity among their patients.

Enhancing human capillary tube network assembly and maturation through upregulated expression of pericyte-derived TIMP-3.

In this study, we identify and characterize new molecular determinants that optimize human capillary tube network assembly. Our lab has previously reported a novel, serum free-defined 3D co-culture model using human endothelial cells (ECs) and human pericytes whereby EC-lined tubes form and co-assemble with pericytes, but when these cultures are maintained at or beyond 5 days, tubes become progressively wider and unstable. To address this issue, we generated novel human pericytes that carry a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 transgene which can be upregulated following doxycycline addition.

Epidemiology of Deep Venous Thrombosis Among United States Emergency Departments Over an Eight-Year Period.

Introduction: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for substantial healthcare utilization. However, as management strategies have evolved, there is a critical need for current data on incidence, admission rates, and medical management of DVT in the ED setting.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed ED presentations for DVT from 2016-2023 using the Cosmos database.

Diverticulitis evaluation and management among United States emergency departments over an eight-year period.

Introduction: Diverticulitis is a common reason for presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). However, as imaging options, risk stratification tools, and antibiotic options have expanded, there is a need for current data on the changes in incidence, computed tomography (CT) performance, antibiotic usage, and disposition over time.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of ED patients with a diagnosis of diverticulitis from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2023.

Epidemiology of heart failure presentations to United States emergency departments from 2016 to 2023.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a common condition prompting presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, there is limited recent large-scale, robust data available on the admission rates, evaluation, and treatment of HF in the ED setting.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of ED presentations for HF from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2023 using the Epic Cosmos database.

The Contribution of Postprofessional Doctorates to the Career Development of Healthcare Workers: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Doctorate education and implications for career trajectory for postprofessional healthcare workers like physician assistants/associates (PAs) remain under¬studied.

Purpose: This scoping review identified findings from existing literature on the contribution of postprofessional doctorate (PPD) degrees to the career development of non-entry-level healthcare workers to inform the con¬temporary emergence of PA-specific doctorate programs in the United States.

Methods: The research followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews.

Epidemiology of pulmonary embolism diagnosis and management among United States emergency departments over an eight-year period.

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, as diagnostic imaging, risk stratification tools, and treatment have evolved over time, there is a critical need for current data on the incidence, testing, admission rates, and medical management of PE in the ED setting.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of ED patients with PE diagnoses from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2023 using the Epic Cosmos national database.

The angiotensin (1-7) glycopeptide PNA5 improves cognition in a chronic progressive mouse model of Parkinson's disease through modulation of neuroinflammation.

Cognitive decline in Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a prevalent and undertreated aspect of disease. Currently, no therapeutics adequately improve this aspect of disease. It has been previously shown that MAS receptor agonism via the glycosylated Angiotensin (1-7) peptide, PNA5, effectively reduces cognitive decline in models of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).

Management of metacarpal shaft fractures.

Aims: The aims of this study were to describe the epidemiology of metacarpal shaft fractures (MSFs), assess variation in treatment and complications following standard care, document hospital resource use, and explore factors associated with treatment modality.

Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional retrospective study of MSFs at six centres in the UK. We collected and analyzed healthcare records, operative notes, and radiographs of adults presenting within ten days of a MSF affecting the second to fifth metacarpal between 1 August 2016 and 31 July 2017.

"Power, control, strain": Lay perceptions of health inequalities across England's 'North South divide'.

People in the North of England live shorter, less healthy lives than those in the South. Despite the significance of this 'North South health divide', regional health inequalities in England are under-researched qualitatively. Existing literature on geographical inequalities in health is largely confined to the neighbourhood level, is quantitative, and consists of very little lay knowledge.

Exposure to community violence and parenting behaviors: A meta-analytic review.

This meta-analysis examines the association between exposure to community violence and parenting behaviors (i.e., positive parenting, harsh/neglectful parenting, parent-child relationship quality, and behavior control).

National and regional population attributable fractions for anemia risk factors (iron, folate, and vitamin B12) in Belize: potential impact of fortification.

Objective: To estimate the national and regional population attributable fraction (PAF) and potential number of preventable anemia cases for three nutritional risk factors (iron, red blood cell folate [RBCF], and vitamin B12 deficiencies) among women of childbearing age in Belize.

Methods: A national probability-based household and micronutrient survey capturing sociodemographic and health information was conducted among 937 nonpregnant Belizean women aged 15-49 years. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin, ferritin, alpha-1-glycoprotein (AGP), RBCF, and vitamin B12 status.

PACAP glycosides promote cell outgrowth in vitro and reduce infarct size after stroke in a preclinical model.

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic peptide known to promote many beneficial processes following neural damage and cell death after stroke. Despite PACAP's known neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory properties, it has not realized its translational potential due to a poor pharmacokinetic profile (non-linear PK/PD), and limited Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration (BBB) permeability. We have previously shown that glycosylation of PACAP increases stability and enhances BBB penetration.

Epidemiology of back pain visits and medication usage among United States emergency departments from 2016 to 2023.

Introduction: Low back pain is a common reason for presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). However, there are limited large-scale, recent data on the epidemiology, disposition, and medication administration for this condition. The objective of this was to assess the incidence, admission rates, medication administrations, and discharge prescriptions among ED visits for low back pain in the United States.

Serum ARGS-aggrecan in a phase 2 clinical trial targeting osteoarthritis.

Objective: To monitor serum concentrations of the aggrecan alanine-arginine-glycine-serine (ARGS) neoepitope in a clinical trial of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-5 inhibition as disease-modifying therapy of knee osteoarthritis, and to investigate relationships between reduction in ARGS and change in cartilage thickness, knee-related pain and function.

Design: ROCCELLA trial participants received once-daily oral S201086 75, 150 or 300 mg, or placebo, for 52 weeks. Serum was collected at baseline, 4, 12, 28 and 52 weeks, and 2 weeks post-treatment with ARGS measured by an in-house immunoassay.

An invited commentary on mentoring in infant mental health: A symposium commemorating Robert N. Emde.

This paper is based on a symposium on mentoring in infant mental health that took place at the 18th World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) conference. The symposium commemorated Robert N. Emde who was one of the founders of the field of Infant Mental Health, and devoted much of his career to mentorship.

The opportunity to lead facilitates PA professional well-being.

Objective: Physician associates/assistants (PAs) with mature careers represent an important leadership resource for healthcare employers. This study sought to determine whether PA leadership task responsibility interacted with experience level to predict professional well-being.

Methods: This quantitative study used an archival dataset from a national sample of PAs.

A protocol for stakeholder engagement in deliver-EE: A pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness trial evaluating effects of meal delivery on the ability of homebound older adults to remain in the community.

Background: Few clinical trials include a detailed protocol for stakeholder engagement in the design and execution of the clinical trial. Deliver-EE is a pragmatic clinical trial to assess how different types of home-delivered meals can affect older adults' health and well-being. We present the protocol for stakeholder engagement in this national, multi-site trial and initial findings from our efforts.