Tuft cells transdifferentiate to neural-like progenitor cells in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is partly initiated through the transdifferentiation of acinar cells to metaplasia, which progresses to neoplasia and cancer. Tuft cells (TCs) are chemosensory cells not found in the normal pancreas but arise in cancer precursor lesions and diminish during progression to carcinoma. These metaplastic TCs (mTCs) suppress tumor progression through communication with the tumor microenvironment, but their fate during progression is unknown.

Molecular Differences in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas from Black versus White Patients.

By analyzing the records of patients with pancreatic cancer in the Tempus multimodal database, we identified genomic mutations and PD-L1 overexpression occurred more frequently in Black patients compared with their White counterparts. These molecular features may contribute to racial disparities in pancreatic cancer.

HMGA2 Expression Predicts Subtype, Survival, and Treatment Outcome in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: To establish HMGA2 as a marker of basal-like disease in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and explore its use as a biomarker for prognosis and treatment resistance.

Experimental Design: We identified high expression of HMGA2 in basal PDAC cells in a scRNAseq Atlas of 172 patient samples. We then analyzed HMGA2 expression, along with expression of the classical marker GATA6, in a cohort of 580 PDAC samples with multiplex immunohistochemistry.

Higher expression of mir-31-5p is associated with reduced risk of head and neck keloid recurrence following surgical resection.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate mir-31-5p as a prognostic biomarker of keloid disease (KD) recurrence using a retrospective, treatment naïve, surgical cohort of head and neck KD cases from Henry Ford Health.

Methods: Using a tissue microarray, mir-31-5p expression was measured with miRNAscope, and mir-31-5p cell positivity was determined with QuPath. Logistic regression was used to test the association between mir-31-5p positive cells and KD recurrence at 1 year.

Human pancreatic cancer single cell atlas reveals association of CXCL10+ fibroblasts and basal subtype tumor cells.

Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients with tumors enriched for the basal-like molecular subtype exhibit enhanced resistance to standard of care treatments and have significantly worse overall survival (OS) compared to patients with classical subtype enriched tumors. It is important to develop genomic resources, enabling identification of novel putative targets in a statistically rigorous manner.

Experimental Design: We compiled a single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) atlas of the human pancreas with 229 patient samples, aggregated from publicly available raw data.

Hospitalisation cost for paediatric osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in New Zealand.

Aim: Hospitalisation rates for paediatric bone and joint infection (BJI) in New Zealand (NZ) are among the highest globally. This study aims to quantify hospitalisation costs of BJI in 2018-2019.

Methods: National hospitalisation data from the NZ Ministry of Health was used to describe costs associated with all paediatric hospitalisations coded for osteomyelitis or septic arthritis in those aged <16 years.

The Seasonality of Childhood Bone and Joint Infection with Focus on Kingella kingae: A Systematic Review.

Background: Seasonal trends in hospitalization for childhood bone and joint infection (BJI) are reported inconsistently. True seasonal variation would suggest an element of disease risk from environmental factors. This review evaluates all reported seasonal variations in childhood BJI, with additional analysis of seasonal trends for diseases secondary to Kingella kingae.

Optimal Timing for Advanced Imaging in Childhood Bone and Joint Infection.

Objective: Advanced imaging in the management of childhood bone and joint infection (BJI) has the potential to improve disease outcomes. Knowledge about the optimal timing for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in relation to both surgically and nonsurgically managed BJI is limited. This study examines the impact of MRI timing on number of surgeries, length of stay (LOS), hospitalization cost, and disease recurrence in childhood BJI.

Observation of Strong Nuclear Suppression in Exclusive J/ψ Photoproduction in Au+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions at RHIC.

We report a measurement of exclusive J/ψ and ψ(2s) photoproduction in Au+Au ultraperipheral collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR detector. For the first time, (i) the ψ(2s) photoproduction in midrapidity at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider has been experimentally measured; (ii) nuclear suppression factors are measured for both the coherent and incoherent J/ψ production. At average photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 25.

Examination of the Pediatric Cervical Spine Under Anesthesia.

Cervical spine injuries in pediatric patients can have devastating consequences if not properly diagnosed. The standard workup for suspected cervical spine injuries includes cervical X-rays and a high-resolution CT. If suspicion still exists then a cervical MRI is obtained.

Epidemiology of childhood bone and joint disease during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.

Purpose: It is unknown whether social distancing impacts frequency of presentation and severity of childhood bone and joint infection (BJI). In New Zealand, the COVID-19 disease elimination strategy involved strict social isolation policies spanning March 2020-September 2022. Examination of this period may provide insight around risk factors for BJI.

Development and psychometric properties of the Clinical Anxiety Scale for People with Intellectual Disabilities (ClASP-ID).

Background: There is a critical need for the development of dependable and valid anxiety assessment tools suitable for people with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, particularly those who speak few or no words. Distinguishing anxiety from distress caused by physical discomfort (pain) or characteristics associated with autism, prevalent in this population, necessitates specialised assessment tools. This study (a) developed a parent-report anxiety questionnaire tailored for individuals with severe to moderate intellectual disabilities, potentially with a co-diagnosis of autism, and (b) evaluated the psychometric attributes of this novel measure.

The impact of cutaneous neurofibromas on quality of life and mental health in neurofibromatosis type 1.

The skin manifestations of neurofibromatosis 1 significantly reduce health-related quality-of-life. However, data on the utility of existing surveys in capturing neurofibromatosis 1 skin treatment outcomes are lacking. This quantitative study examined the relationship between clinician-rated severity and visibility and patient-rated itch and quality-of-life (QoL) to (1) establish baseline levels of skin- and condition-specific-related QoL, itch, depression and anxiety; (2) identify patient concerns to inform the development and evaluation of skin interventions; and (3) compare the sensitivity of different QoL measures.

In Vitro Cell Surface Marker Expression on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures does not Reflect Their Ex Vivo Phenotype.

Cell surface marker expression is one of the criteria for defining human mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSC) in vitro. However, it is unclear if expression of markers including CD73 and CD90 reflects the in vivo origin of cultured cells. We evaluated expression of 15 putative MSC markers in primary cultured cells from periosteum and cartilage to determine whether expression of these markers reflects either the differentiation state of cultured cells or the self-renewal of in vivo populations.

Methods to Reduce Cost of Treatment in Childhood Bone and Joint Infection: A Systematic Review.

Background: Childhood bone and joint infection (BJI) is a potentially severe disease with consequences for growth and development. Critically unwell children may require prolonged hospitalization and multiple surgeries. Acknowledging rising healthcare costs and the financial impact of illness on caregivers, increased efforts are required to optimize treatment.

Measurement tools for behaviours that challenge and behavioural function in people with intellectual disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis of internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and test-retest reliability.

Behaviours that challenge (BtC) are common in people with intellectual disability (ID) and associated with negative long-term outcomes. Reliable characterisation of BtC and behavioural function is integral to person-centred interventions. This systematic review and meta-analytic study quantitatively synthesised the evidence-base for the internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and test-retest reliability of measures of BtC and behavioural function in people with ID (PROSPERO: CRD42021239042).

A holistic approach to fragile X syndrome integrated guidance for person-centred care.

Background: The Fragile X community has expressed a desire for centralised, national guidelines in the form of integrated guidance for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS).

Methods: This article draws on existing literature reviews, primary research and clinical trials on FXS, a Fragile X Society conference workshop and first-hand experience of clinicians who have worked with those living with FXS over many years.

Results: The article scopes proposed integrated guidance over the life course, including appendices of symptoms, comorbidities and referral options for FXS and Fragile X Premutation Associated Conditions.

Rethinking the Roles of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Pancreatic Cancer.

Bearing a dismal 5-year survival rate, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a challenging disease that features a unique fibroinflammatory tumor microenvironment. As major components of the PDAC tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts are still poorly understood and their contribution to the several hallmarks of PDAC, such as resistance to therapies, immunosuppression, and high incidence of metastasis, is likely underestimated. There have been encouraging advances in the understanding of these fascinating cells, but many controversies remain, leaving the field still actively exploring the full scope of their contributions in PDAC progression.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV.

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence.