A Prospective Cohort Study Comparing Long-Term Outcomes with and without Palifermin in Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies.

The incidence of debilitating oral mucositis (OM) can be as high as 99% after myeloablative conditioning regimens preparing patients with hematologic malignancies for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Palifermin (KGF) is a recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor that reduces the incidence and duration of severe OM. The long-term safety of KGF has not been well established, however.

Back to Amido Black: Uncovering touch DNA in blood-contaminated fingermarks.

Blood-contaminated fingermarks (FMs) found in violent crime scenes may directly connect the suspect to the crime by linking the FM to the suspect and the DNA from the blood to the victim. However, marks that are incomparable are considered "dead-evidence" as the link to the suspect is lost. In this study, a novel approach was attempted to uncover the trace amount of touch DNA of the suspect in such marks.

Methodology for altering omega-3 EPA+DHA and omega-6 linoleic acid as controlled variables in a dietary trial.

Background & Aims: Increasing dietary intake of n-3 EPA+DHA and lowering dietary n-6 LA is under investigation as a therapeutic diet for improving chronic pain syndromes as well as other health outcomes. Herein we describe the diet methodology used to modulate intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFA in a free living migraine headache population and report on nutrient intake, BMI and diet acceptability achieved at week 16 of the intensive diet intervention and week 22 follow-up time-point.

Methods: A total of 178 participants were randomized and began one of three diet interventions: 1) a high n-3 PUFA, average n-6 PUFA (H3) diet targeting 1500 mg EPA+DHA/day and 7% of energy (en%) from n-6 linoleic acid (LA), 2) a high-n-3 PUFA, low-n-6 PUFA (H3L6) targeting 1500 mg EPA+DHA/day and <1.

Predictors of Academic Neurosurgical Career Trajectory among International Medical Graduates Training Within the United States.

Background: Within the literature, there has been limited research tracking the career trajectories of international medical graduates (IMGs) following residency training.

Objective: To compare the characteristics of IMG and US medical school graduate (USMG) neurosurgeons holding academic positions in the United States and also analyze factors that influence IMG career trajectories following US-based residency training.

Methods: We collected data on 243 IMGs and 2506 USMGs who graduated from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited neurosurgery residency programs.

Biologic Assignment Trial of Reduced-Intensity Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Based on Donor Availability in Patients 50-75 Years of Age With Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Purpose: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only potentially curative therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), although it is infrequently offered to older patients. The relative benefits of HCT over non-HCT therapy in older patients with higher-risk MDS have not been defined.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter biologic assignment trial comparing reduced-intensity HCT to hypomethylating therapy or best supportive care in subjects 50-75 years of age with intermediate-2 or high-risk de novo MDS.

Systems genetics in diversity outbred mice inform BMD GWAS and identify determinants of bone strength.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for osteoporotic traits have identified over 1000 associations; however, their impact has been limited by the difficulties of causal gene identification and a strict focus on bone mineral density (BMD). Here, we use Diversity Outbred (DO) mice to directly address these limitations by performing a systems genetics analysis of 55 complex skeletal phenotypes. We apply a network approach to cortical bone RNA-seq data to discover 66 genes likely to be causal for human BMD GWAS associations, including the genes SERTAD4 and GLT8D2.

Modified frailty index predicts postoperative complications in women with gynecologic cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Objective(s): To evaluate the impact of frailty on postoperative complications following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in women with advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer.

Methods: An IRB-approved single-institution prospective registry was queried for women who underwent CRS with HIPEC for advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer from 1/1/2014-12/31/2020. Frailty was defined as a modified Frailty Index (mFI) score of ≥2.

Novel approaches to fitting and implanting finger and nail prosthetics.

Purpose: This work presents unique designs for prosthetic restoration of the distal finger. We first discuss fitting a prosthetic nail in order to restore the cosmetic deficit caused by partial or complete nail injury. This concept is inspired from snap fit and lanced sheet metal technology.

Hemodynamic Assessment of Structural Heart Disease Using 4D Flow MRI: How We Do It.

MRI is an essential diagnostic tool in the anatomic and functional evaluation of cardiovascular disease. In many practices, 2D phase-contrast (2D-PC) MRI has been used for blood flow quantification. Four-dimensional flow MRI is a time-resolved volumetric acquisition that captures the vector field of blood flow along with anatomic images.

Comparative Effects of the Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, on Gastric Emptying, Plasma Glucose, C-Peptide and Glucagon in Healthy Men.

(1) Background: Whey protein lowers postprandial blood glucose in health and type 2 diabetes, by stimulating insulin and incretin hormone secretion and slowing gastric emptying. The branched-chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine, abundant in whey, may mediate the glucoregulatory effects of whey. We investigated the comparative effects of intragastric administration of leucine, isoleucine and valine on the plasma glucose, C-peptide and glucagon responses to and gastric emptying of a mixed-nutrient drink in healthy men.

An analysis of Medtronic MiniMed 670G insulin pump use in clinical practice and the impact on glycemic control, quality of life, and compliance.

Aims: This study evaluated the use of the Medtronic MiniMed 670G system in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus from a large endocrinology practice and its impact on glycemic control, quality of life (QoL), compliance and safety.

Methods: 84 participants completed one site visit for data collection. Percentage of time in range (TIR: 70-180 mg/dL), hyperglycemia or time above range (TAB) (>180 mg/dL), hypoglycemia or time below range (TBR) (<70 mg/dL), HbA1c, average blood glucose (ABG), and other metrics were evaluated at the last visit using the system (LVMM) and compared between the last visit on previous insulin therapy (LVPT).

Perioperative outcomes of cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in elderly women with epithelial ovarian cancer: analysis of a prospective registry.

Objective: To evaluate perioperative outcomes in elderly versus non-elderly women with advanced or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Methods: A single-institution prospective registry was analyzed for women with ovarian cancer who underwent surgery with HIPEC from January 2014 to December 2020. Elderly age was defined as ≥65 years at surgery.

The dynamics of human bone marrow adipose tissue in response to feeding and fasting.

BACKGROUNDAdipocytes were long considered inert components of the bone marrow niche, but mouse and human models suggest bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) is dynamic and responsive to hormonal and nutrient cues.METHODSIn this study of healthy volunteers, we investigated how BMAT responds to acute nutrient changes, including analyses of endocrine determinants and paracrine factors from marrow aspirates. Study participants underwent a 10-day high-calorie protocol, followed by a 10-day fast.

4D Flow MRI Quantification of Congenital Shunts: Comparison to Invasive Catheterization.

Purpose: To compare invasive right heart catheterization with four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI for estimating shunt fraction in patients with intracardiac and extracardiac shunts.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent 4D flow MRI and invasive right heart catheterization with a shunt run between August 2015 and November 2018 were included. The primary objective was comparison of estimated shunt fraction (ratio of pulmonary-to-systemic flow, Q/Q) at 4D flow and catheterization.

Should gabapentinoids be prescribed long-term for anxiety and other mental health conditions?

Prescription rates for gabapentinoids are rising in England. Pregabalin is currently recommended by NICE for the treatment of anxiety. Gabapentinoids have some overlap with the action of benzodiazepines, and have similar issues with tolerance, dependence, addiction and withdrawal.

Effects of Bitter Substances on GI Function, Energy Intake and Glycaemia-Do Preclinical Findings Translate to Outcomes in Humans?

Bitter substances are contained in many plants, are often toxic and can be present in spoiled food. Thus, the capacity to detect bitter taste has classically been viewed to have evolved primarily to signal the presence of toxins and thereby avoid their consumption. The recognition, based on preclinical studies (i.

National Marrow Donor Program-Sponsored Multicenter, Phase II Trial of HLA-Mismatched Unrelated Donor Bone Marrow Transplantation Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide.

Purpose: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is curative for hematologic disorders, but outcomes are historically inferior when using HLA-mismatched donors. Despite unrelated donor registries listing > 38 million volunteers, 25%-80% of US patients lack an HLA-matched unrelated donor, with significant disparity across ethnic groups. We hypothesized that HCT with a mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), a novel strategy successful in overcoming genetic disparity using mismatched related donors, would be feasible and increase access to HCT.

Gut-Based Strategies to Reduce Postprandial Glycaemia in Type 2 Diabetes.

Postprandial glycemic control is an important target for optimal type 2 diabetes management, but is often difficult to achieve. The gastrointestinal tract plays a major role in modulating postprandial glycaemia in both health and diabetes. The various strategies that have been proposed to modulate gastrointestinal function, particularly by slowing gastric emptying and/or stimulating incretin hormone GLP-1, are summarized in this review.

Approaches for discontinuation versus continuation of long-term antidepressant use for depressive and anxiety disorders in adults.

Background: Depression and anxiety are the most frequent indication for which antidepressants are prescribed. Long-term antidepressant use is driving much of the internationally observed rise in antidepressant consumption. Surveys of antidepressant users suggest that 30% to 50% of long-term antidepressant prescriptions had no evidence-based indication.

The Effect of Donor Graft Cryopreservation on Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes: A Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Analysis. Implications during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the increased use of cryopreserved grafts for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). However, information about the effect of cryopreservation on outcomes for patients receiving allogeneic donor grafts is limited. We evaluated outcomes of HCT recipients who received either fresh or cryopreserved allogeneic bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research.

Serious Adverse Events in Related Donors: A Report from the Related Donor Safe Study.

The incidence and risk factors for severe adverse events (SAEs) in related donors (RD) of hematopoietic cell transplants is unknown. The Related Donor Safe study is a prospective observational cohort of 1680 RDs and represents an opportunity to examine characteristics of SAEs in RDs. In this cohort, we found that SAEs were reported in a total 12 (0.

The Uncovered Function of the -Encoded Protein.

Human encodes lysosomal acid β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), which hydrolyzes cleavage of the beta-glucosidic linkage of glucosylceramide (GlcCer). Mutations in this gene lead to reduced GCase activity, accumulation of glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine, and development of Gaucher disease (GD). has two orthologs.

Role of Bile Acids in the Regulation of Food Intake, and Their Dysregulation in Metabolic Disease.

Bile acids are cholesterol-derived metabolites with a well-established role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fat. More recently, the discovery of bile acids as natural ligands for the nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and membrane Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), and the recognition of the effects of FXR and TGR5 signaling have led to a paradigm shift in knowledge regarding bile acid physiology and metabolic health. Bile acids are now recognized as signaling molecules that orchestrate blood glucose, lipid and energy metabolism.