Strontium isoscape of sub-Saharan Africa allows tracing origins of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Strontium isotope (Sr/Sr) analysis with reference to strontium isotope landscapes (Sr isoscapes) allows reconstructing mobility and migration in archaeology, ecology, and forensics. However, despite the vast potential of research involving Sr/Sr analysis particularly in Africa, Sr isoscapes remain unavailable for the largest parts of the continent. Here, we measure the Sr/Sr ratios in 778 environmental samples from 24 African countries and combine this data with published data to model a bioavailable Sr isoscape for sub-Saharan Africa using random forest regression.

Opioids and benzodiazepines in oncology: Perspectives on coprescribing and mitigating risks.

Introduction: Opioids and benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for cancer symptoms. In combination, they can increase the risk of adverse events, particularly for older adults with multimorbidity, who represent most patients with cancer. We aimed to understand cancer care providers' practices for opioid and benzodiazepine coprescribing and mitigating potential harms.

Damage Index for Antiphospholipid Syndrome (DIAPS): An Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) "Damage" working group report on strengths and limitations.

Objectives: To gather the perspectives of APS ACTION members regarding the strengths and limitations of Damage Index for Antiphospholipid Syndrome (DIAPS); and establish recommendations for the improvement of DIAPS.

Methods: APS ACTION members were invited to answer a survey regarding their satisfaction with DIAPS scoring system and individual items. The level of agreement (LoA) among members with the inclusion of individual items in DIAPS was calculated (LoA of <75% was considered disagreement).

Associations of frailty with survival, hospitalization, functional decline, and toxicity among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Among older adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy, frailty indices predict OS and toxicity. Given the increased use of immunotherapy and targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC), we evaluated frailty and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) among older adults with aNSCLC receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapy.

Methods: Patients aged ≥ 65 with aNSCLC starting systemic therapy with non-curative intent underwent geriatric assessments over 6 months.

Warfarin and heparin monitoring in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Anticoagulation is central to the management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an acquired thrombo-inflammatory disorder characterized by thrombosis (venous, arterial, or microvascular) or pregnancy morbidity, in association with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL; ie, 1 or more of lupus anticoagulant [LA], anticardiolipin, anti-beta-2- glycoprotein I, IgG, or IgM antibodies). The mainstay of anticoagulation in patients with thrombotic APS is warfarin or an alternative vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and, in certain situations, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH). Accurate assessment of anticoagulation intensity underpins optimal anticoagulant dosing for thrombus treatment or primary/secondary prevention.

A Redox-Active Ionic Liquid Surface Treatment for Healing CsPbBr Nanocrystals.

Additive engineering of lead halide perovskites has been a successful strategy for reducing a variety of deleterious defect types. Ionic liquids (ILs) are a unique group of such additives that have been used to passivate halide vacancies in both bulk lead halide perovskites and their colloidal nanocrystal analogues. Herein, we expand the types of defects that can be addressed through IL treatments in CsPbBr nanocrystals with a novel phosphonium tribromide IL that heals metallic lead surface defects through redox chemistry.

Exploring the Anxiolytic Potential of NPY by a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitor in an Animal Model of PTSD.

Background: The regulatory neuropeptide Y (NPY) is implicated in anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related behaviors. NPY exerts its effects through 5 receptor subtypes, with Y1 and Y2 receptors being predominantly expressed in the rat brain. Activation of Y1 by full-length NPY1-36 induces anxiolytic effects, whereas Y2 binds truncated peptides, eliciting region-specific anxiogenic responses.

Prediction of risk for early or very early preterm births using high-resolution urinary metabolomic profiling.

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a serious health problem. PTB complications is the main cause of death in infants under five years of age worldwide. The ability to accurately predict risk for PTB during early pregnancy would allow early monitoring and interventions to provide personalized care, and hence improve outcomes for the mother and infant.

Targeted multiplex proteomics for the development and validation of biomarkers in primary aldosteronism subtyping.

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA), a significant cause of secondary hypertension affecting ∼10% of patients with severe hypertension, exacerbates cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular complications even after blood pressure control. PA is categorized into two main subtypes: unilateral aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) and bilateral hyperaldosteronism (BHA), each requiring distinct treatment approaches. Accurate subtype classification is crucial for selecting the most effective treatment.

Comparing anti-drug antibody signal-to-noise ratios to assess immunogenicity and interchangeability in adalimumab biosimilar studies.

Background: To support an interchangeability designation for Sandoz adalimumab biosimilar (GP2017), antidrug antibody (ADA) signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios were assessed in the GP2017 ADACCESS trial to directly assess potential changes in immunogenicity.

Research Design And Methods: ADACCESS was a 51-week trial in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis that included patients treated continuously with reference adalimumab (cH), and patients who experienced four switches between reference adalimumab and GP2017 (H2H). ADAs were measured every 6 weeks during the switching phase using an electrochemiluminescence assay.

An update on laboratory detection and interpretation of antiphospholipid antibodies for diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome: guidance from the ISTH-SSC Subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid Antibodies.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) diagnosis is dependent on the accurate detection and interpretation of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) remain the cornerstone of the laboratory part of APS diagnosis. In the 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) APS classification criteria, the type of laboratory parameters remain essentially unchanged compared with the updated Sapporo classification criteria, and aCL and aβ2GPI measurement are still restricted to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with moderate and high titer aPL thresholds defined as 40 and 80 Units, respectively, and a cutoff calculated by the 99th percentile has been abandoned.

Case Report: A Novel Virulent Clinical Isolate of Burkholderia pseudomallei Imported from Thailand Exhibiting Resistance to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole.

We present the investigation of a Burkholderia pseudomallei strain isolated from the urine of a 56-year-old male returning from a recreational trip to Thailand. The patient initially presented with fever and chills, and lobar as well as bladder and prostate involvement was demonstrated on imaging. Treatment first involved trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, the backbone of melioidosis therapy, but was discontinued upon the discovery of resistance to the drug through antimicrobial sensitivity testing via broth microdilution.

Exploring the Scientific Conversation Regarding Live Tissue Training in Trauma Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Introduction: Live tissue training (LTT), use of a living anaesthetized animal to practice surgical skills, is a continuing practice, despite controversy and ethical concern. The scientific literature appears polarized in terms of supporting or refuting the practice. This bibliometric analysis of the literature maps and explores the academic conversation regarding LTT including potential influences associated with authorship.

Glucocorticoid treatment during COVID-19 infection: does it affect the incidence of long COVID?

Background: Long COVID (LC) is a frequent complication of COVID infection. It usually results in cognitive impairment, myalgia, headache and fatigue. No effective treatment has been found yet.

Transcriptomic identification of genes associated with thrombosis and coagulation in lipopolysaccharide-exposed bovine monocyte-derived macrophages.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the differential expression of genes associated with coagulation in bovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMΦ) exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. We hypothesized that MoMΦ stimulated with LPS would have upregulation of procoagulant genes and downregulation of genes protecting against coagulation.

Methods: MoMΦ were isolated from Holstein steers and exposed to Escherichia coli-derived LPS or a control for 3 hours.

Black Americans With Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Demonstrate Accelerated Epigenetic Pace of Aging Compared to Black Americans Without SCD.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic medical condition characterized by red blood cell sickling, vaso-occlusion, hemolytic anemia, and subsequently, end-organ damage and reduced survival. Because of this significant pathophysiology and early mortality, we hypothesized that patients with SCD are experiencing accelerated biological aging compared with individuals without SCD.

Methods: We utilized the DunedinPACE measure to compare the epigenetic pace of aging in 131 Black Americans with SCD to 1391 Black American veterans without SCD.

Function, cognition, and quality of life among older adults with lung cancer who live alone: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Among older adults without cancer, living alone is associated with poor health outcomes. However, among older adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who live alone, data on function, cognition, and quality of life (QOL) during systemic treatment remain limited.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled adults aged ≥65 with advanced NSCLC starting a new chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapy regimen with non-curative intent.