Strategies to Improve Health Care Provider Prescription of and Patient Adherence to Guideline-Recommended Cardiovascular Medications for Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease: Protocol for Two Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: In patients with atherosclerotic occlusive diseases, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) report that antiplatelets, statins, and antihypertensives reduce the risk of major adverse cardiac events, need for revascularization procedures, mortality, and health care resource use. However, evidence suggests that these patients are not prescribed these medications adequately or do not adhere to them once prescribed.

Objective: We aim to systematically review and meta-analyze RCTs examining the effectiveness of implementation or adherence-supporting strategies for improving health care provider prescription of, or patient adherence to, guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications in patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease.

Individual patient and donor seroprofiles in convalescent plasma treatment of COVID-19 in REMAP-CAP clinical trial.

Objectives: Convalescent plasma (CP) treatment of COVID-19 has shown significant therapeutic effect only when administered early. We investigated the importance of patient and CP seroprofiles on treatment outcome in REMAP-CAP CP trial.

Methods: We evaluated neutralising antibodies (nAb), anti-spike (S) IgM, IgG, IgG avidity, IgG fucosylation and respiratory viral loads in a sub-set of patients (n=80) and controls (n=51) before and after transfusion, comparing them to those in the CP units (n=157) they received.

Cross-modal contrastive learning for unified placenta analysis using photographs.

The placenta is vital to maternal and child health but often overlooked in pregnancy studies. Addressing the need for a more accessible and cost-effective method of placental assessment, our study introduces a computational tool designed for the analysis of placental photographs. Leveraging images and pathology reports collected from sites in the United States and Uganda over a 12-year period, we developed a cross-modal contrastive learning algorithm consisting of pre-alignment, distillation, and retrieval modules.

Transfusion-specific alloimmune responses following blood transfusion pre-kidney transplantation.

It is widely accepted that blood transfusions can cause allosensitization, but it is often reported that new human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies are nonspecific and transient. This study explores the effect of blood transfusion on allosensitization in waitlisted transplant patients including the development of transfusion-specific antibodies (TSAs), both while they remain on the waiting list, and following subsequent transplantation. A total of 105 blood donors of transfusions received by 50 patients on the transplant waiting list were HLA typed.

Assessing the kinetics of oxygen-unloading from red cells using FlowScore, a flow-cytometric proxy of the functional quality of blood.

Background: Metrics evaluating the functional quality of red blood cells (RBCs) must consider their role in oxygen delivery. Whereas oxygen-carrying capacity is routinely reported using haemoglobin assays, the rate of oxygen exchange is not measured, yet also important for tissue oxygenation. Since oxygen-unloading depends on the diffusion pathlength inside RBCs, cell geometry offers a plausible surrogate.

Novel loci and biomedical consequences of iron homoeostasis variation.

Iron homoeostasis is tightly regulated, with hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) playing significant roles. However, the genetic determinants of these traits and the biomedical consequences of iron homoeostasis variation are unclear. In a meta-analysis of 12 cohorts involving 91,675 participants, we found 43 genomic loci associated with either hepcidin or sTfR concentration, of which 15 previously unreported.

International cross-sectional survey on current and updated definitions of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome.

Background: The Abdominal Compartment Society (WSACS) established consensus definitions and recommendations for the management of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in 2006, and they were last updated in 2013. The WSACS conducted an international survey between 2022 and 2023 to seek the agreement of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) worldwide on current and new candidate statements that may be used for future guidelines.

Methods: A self-administered, online cross-sectional survey was conducted under the auspices of the WSACS to assess the level of agreement among HCPs over current and new candidate statements.

Receptor activity-modifying protein modulation of parathyroid hormone-1 receptor function and signaling.

Introduction: Receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) are known to modulate the pharmacology and function of several G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R). However, the precise effects of different RAMPs on PTH1R signalling and trafficking remain poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of RAMP2 and RAMP3 on PTH1R function using a range of PTH and PTH-related protein (PTHrP)-derived ligands.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes associated with development of surgical site infection after lower-limb revascularization surgery.

Objectives: Although surgical site infection (SSI) is a commonly used quality metric after lower-limb revascularization surgery, outcomes associated with development of this complication are poorly characterized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting associations between development of an SSI after these procedures and clinical outcomes and healthcare resource use.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (inception to April 4th, 2023) for studies examining adjusted associations between development of an SSI after lower-limb revascularization surgery and clinical outcomes and healthcare resource use.

Transfusion-induced HLA sensitization in wait-list patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization remains an impediment to successful solid organ transplantation, whether it be chances of receiving a transplant offer or subsequent transplant longevity. Current treatments targeting HLA antibodies lack long-term effectiveness; therefore, preventing HLA sensitization should remain a priority in all potential wait-list candidates and transplant recipients. Recent advances in the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease may reduce the need for red cell transfusions.

Misexpression of inactive genes in whole blood is associated with nearby rare structural variants.

Gene misexpression is the aberrant transcription of a gene in a context where it is usually inactive. Despite its known pathological consequences in specific rare diseases, we have a limited understanding of its wider prevalence and mechanisms in humans. To address this, we analyzed gene misexpression in 4,568 whole-blood bulk RNA sequencing samples from INTERVAL study blood donors.

Clinical impact of early post-transplant red cell transfusions in kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) represent a potentially modifiable risk factor for HLA sensitisation and adverse outcomes post transplantation. Evidence of the clinical impact of post-transplant RBCT has been infrequently reported. Herein, we performed a systematic review of available literature to assess the prevalence of RBCT post kidney transplant, and the effect of transfusion on transplant outcomes.

Evidence for clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications among adults with peripheral artery disease: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: International guidelines recommend that adults with peripheral artery disease (PAD) be prescribed antiplatelet, statin and antihypertensive medications. However, it is unclear how often people with PAD are underprescribed these drugs, which characteristics predict clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications, and whether underprescription and non-adherence are associated with adverse health and health system outcomes.

Methods And Analysis: We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews from 2006 onwards.

Prediction Models for Forecasting Risk of Development of Surgical Site Infection after Lower Limb Revascularization Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common and potentially preventable complication of lower limb revascularization surgery associated with increased healthcare resource utilization and patient morbidity. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate multivariable prediction models designed to forecast risk of SSI development after these procedures.

Methods: After protocol registration (CRD42022331292), we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (inception to April 4th, 2023) for studies describing multivariable prediction models designed to forecast risk of SSI in adults after lower limb revascularization surgery.

In vivo genotoxicity testing strategies: Report from the 8th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT).

The in vivo working group (WG) considered three topics: acceptable maximum doses for negative erythrocyte micronucleus (MN) tests, validation status of MN assays in non-hematopoietic tissues, and nuisance factors in the comet assay. The WG reached agreement on many issues, including: negative erythrocyte MN studies should be acceptable if dosing is conducted to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline (TG) 474 recommendations and if sufficient bone marrow exposure is demonstrated; consensus on the evidence required to demonstrate "sufficient" exposure was not reached. The liver MN test using six-week-old rats is sufficiently validated to develop an OECD TG, but the impact of animal age warrants additional study.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection after Lower Limb Revascularisation Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prognostic Studies.

Objective: To systematically review and meta-analyse adjusted risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after lower limb revascularisation surgery.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (inception to 28 April 2022).

Review Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis conducted according to PRISMA guidelines.

The open abdomen in trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery: comprehensive, expert, narrative review.

Background: The open abdomen is an innovation that greatly improved surgical understanding of damage control, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal reconstruction, viscera and enteric fistula care, and abdominal wall reconstruction. This article provides an evidence-informed, expert, comprehensive narrative review of the open abdomen in trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery.

Methods: A group of 12 international trauma, acute care, and vascular and endovascular surgery experts were invited to review current literature and important concepts surrounding the open abdomen.

Debate: Should the loss of disability adjusted life years (DALY) define the focus of Global Hematology?: The case for prioritizing capacity building in anemia management and blood transfusion.

Setting priorities in healthcare is always contentious given the array of possible services at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care, not to mention potential public health interventions. The central goals in global policy have been reducing inequity within and between countries, protecting vulnerable groups (particularly women and children) and reducing the major communicable diseases which have historically been a major burden in lower- and middle-income countries. Here limited relative and absolute spending on healthcare have spurred a series of initiatives in Global Health over the last 50 years which have led to significant gains in measures of morbidity and mortality.

Effects of Maternal HIV Infection and Alcohol Use in Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes in Uganda.

Alcohol use and HIV infection are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), and both are associated with low birth weight. Yet, few studies have evaluated the combined effects of maternal HIV infection and alcohol use on birth outcomes. We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of HIV-related placental changes in Ugandan women.

Gross and Histologic Placental Abnormalities Associated With Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Objective: To elucidate particular placental pathology findings that are associated with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and determine which patterns are associated with adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes.

Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective case-control study of newborns with HIE (2002-2022) and controls. Four perinatal pathologists performed gross and histologic evaluation of placentas of cases and controls.

Association of Placental Histology with the Pulsatility Index of Fetal and Uteroplacental Vessels during Pregnancy and with Birthweight Z-Score.

Aims: To compare macro- and microscopic features of the placenta with the pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine (UtA), umbilical (UA) and middle cerebral arteries at 20-24- and 34-38-weeks' gestation, and with birthweight z-scores (BWZS).

Methods: Recruitment for the Safe Passage Study, which investigated the association of alcohol and tobacco use with stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome, occurred from August 2007 to January 2015 at community clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. The population represents a predominantly homogenous population of pregnant women from a low socioeconomic residential area.