Propensity Score Analysis of Possible Medication Effects on Outcomes in Patients With Systemic Right Ventricles.

Background: Patients with systemic right ventricle (SRV), either d-transposition of the great arteries following an atrial switch procedure or congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, develop severe right ventricular dysfunction, prompting appropriate medical therapy. However, the efficacy of beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) in SRV patients is unproven.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ACEI/ARB and beta-blockers on outcomes in SRV patients after accounting for likely cofounders affecting their use.

Classification of non-TCGA cancer samples to TCGA molecular subtypes using compact feature sets.

Molecular subtypes, such as defined by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), delineate a cancer's underlying biology, bringing hope to inform a patient's prognosis and treatment plan. However, most approaches used in the discovery of subtypes are not suitable for assigning subtype labels to new cancer specimens from other studies or clinical trials. Here, we address this barrier by applying five different machine learning approaches to multi-omic data from 8,791 TCGA tumor samples comprising 106 subtypes from 26 different cancer cohorts to build models based upon small numbers of features that can classify new samples into previously defined TCGA molecular subtypes-a step toward molecular subtype application in the clinic.

Correlation of ECG and cardiac MRI for assessment of ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Surgically repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) is associated with progressive right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and dilation (RVD). Accurate estimation of RVH/RVD is vital for the ongoing management of this patient population. The utility of the ECG in evaluating patients with rTOF with pre-existing right bundle branch block (RBBB) has not been studied.

Strong diagnostic performance of plasma ptau217 for CSF biomarker-defined young-onset Alzheimer disease in a diagnostically heterogeneous clinical cohort.

Objective: We investigated diagnostic utility of phosphorylated tau 217 and 181 (ptau217, ptau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), amyloid beta 42 and 40 (Aβ42, Aβ40), and neurofilament light (NfL) to distinguish biomarker-defined Alzheimer disease (AD) from non-AD conditions, in a heterogenous clinical cohort of younger people.

Methods: Plasma biomarkers were analysed using ultrasensitive technology, and compared in patients with CSF Alzheimer disease profiles (A+T+) to other CSF profiles (Other).

Results: Seventy-nine patients were included, median age 60.

Ethics Consultation in U.S. Pediatric Hospitals: Adherence to National Practice Standards.

Background: The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH), a professional organization that certifies ethics consultants who pass the qualifying examination, published standards for the conduct of ethics consultations (EC). A national survey of adult hospital ethics consultants identified adherence to these standards, but no assessment of pediatric hospitals' adherence has been done.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a national questionnaire was distributed electronically in 2022 to pediatric ethics consultants at children's hospitals, collecting information about adherence to the ASBH standards.

Neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein in mood and anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are biomarkers of neuronal injury measurable in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Despite their potential as diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative disorders, it is unclear how they behave in mood and anxiety disorders. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate whether NfL and GFAP concentrations were altered in adults with mood and anxiety disorders compared to healthy controls.

Fontan circulation and systemic disease - a retrospective cohort analysis over 35 years of follow-up.

Background: The Fontan operation provides lifesaving palliation for individuals with single ventricle (SV) physiology. Given recent concerns of systemic disease (SD) for patients with a Fontan circulation, we sought to (1) quantify the increase in SD incidence associated with the Fontan circulation; (2) identify the risk factor of SD; (3) assess the association between SD and mortality in patients with a Fontan circulation.

Methods: A matched retrospective cohort study design was adopted.

Maternal Glycemic Status and Longitudinal Fetal Body Composition and Organ Volumes Based on Three-Dimensional Ultrasonography.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of fetal overgrowth as measured by two-dimensional ultrasonography. Whether fetal three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue and organ volumes provide additional insight into fetal overgrowth is unknown.

Research Design And Methods: We prospectively evaluated longitudinal 3D fetal body composition and organ volumes in a diverse U.

Determinants of Mortality Among US Patients Diagnosed With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Over the Past Decade.

Background: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a primary pleural tumor with scarce prognostic data estimates given its rarity. This study aims to explore the epidemiologic and survival predictors amongst patients with MPM, extending from the largest and most recent study conducted between 1973 and 2009.

Methods: 3384 patients diagnosed with MPM between 2010 and 2017 were enrolled from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Pneumomediastinum.

Pneumomediastinum, air within the mediastinum, is the manifestation of a variety of causes including those that are benign and some resulting in severe morbidity and even mortality. This article reviews the epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology of pneumomediastinum as an independent pathologic and physiologic entity, as well as reviews the workup and management of those patients who are diagnosed with pneumomediastinum.

Breast Cancers Detected during a Decade of Screening with Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: Comparison with Digital Mammography.

Background Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has been shown to help increase cancer detection compared with two-dimensional digital mammography (DM). However, it is unclear whether additional tumor detection will improve outcomes or lead to overdiagnosis of breast cancer. Purpose This study aimed to compare cancer types and stages over 3 years of DM screening and 10 years of DBT screening to determine the effect of DBT.

Differences in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Patients With Cancer Six Months Before Death.

Purpose: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide a direct report of the patient's perspective, complementary to clinician assessment. Currently, understanding the real-time changes in PROM scores near the end of life remains limited. This study evaluated differences in mean PROM scores between patients with cancer within 6 months before death compared with surviving patients with cancer.

Induction of osteoblast apoptosis stimulates macrophage efferocytosis and paradoxical bone formation.

Apoptosis is crucial for tissue homeostasis and organ development. In bone, apoptosis is recognized to be a main fate of osteoblasts, yet the relevance of this process remains underexplored. Using our murine model with inducible Caspase 9, the enzyme that initiates intrinsic apoptosis, we triggered apoptosis in a proportion of mature osteocalcin (OCN) osteoblasts and investigated the impact on postnatal bone development.

Understanding the barriers and facilitators of healthcare services for brain injury and concurrent mental health and substance use issues: a qualitative study.

Background: People with acquired brain injury (ABI) may experience concurrent conditions such as, mental health and substance use concerns, that require specialized care. There are services that aim to support people with ABI and these conditions separately; however, little is known about the facilitators and barriers of these services. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to engage stakeholders to investigate the facilitators and barriers of healthcare services for ABI and concurrent issues.

A qualitative study of individuals with acquired brain injury' and program facilitators' experiences in virtual acquired brain injury community support programs.

Purpose: Acquired brain injury (ABI) community support programs aim to help support long-term needs through informational and psychosocial support. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many support programs adopted virtual program delivery. However, the experiences of facilitators and people with ABI who participate in virtual support programs are understudied.

Fetal and Maternal Factors Predictive of Primary Cesarean Delivery at Term in a Low-Risk Population: NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singletons.

Objective:  This study aimed to examine associations of fetal biometric and amniotic fluid measures with intrapartum primary cesarean delivery (PCD) and develop prediction models for PCD based on ultrasound parameters and maternal factors.

Study Design:  Secondary analysis of the National Institute of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies-singleton cohort (2009-2013) including patients with uncomplicated pregnancies and intent to deliver vaginally at ≥37 weeks. The estimated fetal weight, individual biometric parameters, fetal asymmetry measurements, and amniotic fluid single deepest vertical pocket assessed at the final scan (mean 37.