Longitudinal response to standard of care in pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Rates of improvement and worsening, and factors associated with outcomes.

Background Aims: Longitudinal outcomes in children with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remain unclear due to the absence of a standardized monitoring approach. This study aimed to 1) define improvement and worsening in children with MASLD, 2) estimate rates of improvement or deterioration with standard of care (SOC) over one and two years, and 3) identify baseline and longitudinal factors associated with improvement or worsening.

Approach And Results: Using data from two large randomized controlled trials, we derived definitions for composite improvement and worsening of MASLD based on associations between changes in ALT, GGT, and liver histology after one and two years.

Economic losses to inland recreational fisheries from harmful algal blooms.

This paper presents research on the recreational impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and other water quality changes in the U.S. heartland.

Noninvasive biomarkers in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide among children and adolescents. It encompasses a spectrum of disease, from its mildest form of isolated steatosis, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease. The early diagnosis of pediatric NAFLD is crucial in preventing disease progression and in improving outcomes.

Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging Provides Insights Into Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Pathology.

Background: Diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) is a noninvasive quantitative imaging modality that may improve understanding of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) pathology through detailed evaluations of spinal cord microstructural compartments.

Objective: To determine the utility of DBSI as a biomarker of CSM disease severity.

Methods: A single-center prospective cohort study enrolled 50 patients with CSM and 20 controls from 2018 to 2020.

Diffusion basis spectrum imaging predicts long-term clinical outcomes following surgery in cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Background Context: A major shortcoming in improving care for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients is the lack of robust quantitative imaging tools to guide surgical decision-making. Diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI), an advanced diffusion-weighted MRI technique, provides objective assessments of white matter tract integrity that may help prognosticate outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for CSM.

Purpose: To examine the ability of DBSI to predict clinically important CSM outcome measures at 2-years follow-up.