Biomarkers.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by abnormal tau protein accumulation in the brain. PET imaging utilizing the [F-18]flortaucipir tracer is a widely used method for visualizing such conditions, yet its effectiveness can be compromised by off-target binding. To shed light on this issue, our study focuses on how elevated cholesterol concentrations of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and standard uptake values (SUVR) from corresponding tau-PET scans may influence the efficacy of [F-18]flortaucipir.

Developing Topics.

Background: We recently reported that subjects who had worsening sleep over time had a clear worsening of both memory and brain metabolism compared to subjects whose sleep improved over time, and metabolic decline was particularly significant in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) (Alzheimer's Dement. 2023; 19(Suppl. 24):e082867), an area of the brain that metabolically declines in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Developing Topics.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a chronic, incurable neurodegenerative condition characterized by extensive systemic, cellular, and molecular abnormalities. One such aspect recent studies have highlighted is the reduction in plasma branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations, identifying them as a potential emerging marker for the disease. Although BCAAs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD, their utility in clinical prognosis remains unexplored.

Severe maternal morbidity contributed by obstetric hemorrhage: Maryland, 2020-2022.

Background: Obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in Maryland and nationally. Currently, through a quality collaborative, the state is implementing the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) patient safety bundle on obstetric hemorrhage.

Objective: To describe SMM events contributed by obstetric hemorrhage and their preventability in Maryland.

Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma of the auricular helix.

Cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck are common; however, superficial sarcomas of the head and neck are relatively rare. We present a 71-year-old unhoused gentleman with challenging access to medical care and poor health literacy who presented with a large, isolated, pedunculated mass of the left auricular helix. Preoperative biopsy was compatible with pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS).