Krüppel-like Factors Play Essential Roles in Regulating Pluripotency and the Formation of Neural Crest Stem Cells.

The evolutionary transition from simple chordate body plans to complex vertebrate body plans was driven by the acquisition of the neural crest, a stem cell population that retains broad, multi-germ layer developmental potential long after most embryonic cells have become lineage restricted. We have previously shown that neural crest cells share significant gene regulatory architecture with pluripotent blastula stem cells. Here we examine the roles that Krüppel-like Family (Klf) transcription factors play in these stem cell populations.

Reproducibility and diagnostic performance of superb microvascular Imaging's vascular index in solid breast lesions.

Aim: Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) is a new ultrasound tool that can detect small blood vessels while cancelling out artefacts. It may be useful in detecting the vascularity associated with malignant breast lesions. This study evaluated the reproducibility and diagnostic performance of SMI's Vascular Index (VI) in differentiating benign from malignant solid breast lesions.

A co-produced mixed methods protocol: Exploring perceptions of oral health care and quality of life in people with mental health conditions.

This planned mixed methods protocol is designed to explore oral health care for individuals living with serious mental health conditions (SMHC). It was co-produced by academics, people with lived experience of mental health conditions, and oral and mental health clinicians. The study seeks to explore oral health quality of life predictors and oral health care experiences of people diagnosed with serious mental health conditions (e.

Challenges and potential solutions to enrollment in a clinical trial of arteriovenous fistula vs arteriovenous graft vascular access strategy.

This article presents the rationale, challenges, and adaptive strategies employed during the initiation and execution of the arteriovenous (AV) access trial-a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing AV fistulas and AV grafts for hemodialysis in older adults with major comorbidities. Motivated by shifts in epidemiologic landscapes and evolving guidelines moving away from a fistula-first approach and to more patient-centric approaches, the objective of this randomized controlled trial was to fill critical knowledge gaps in determining the optimal vascular access for this complex patient population. We outline the challenges encountered in patient recruitment along with measures employed to overcome these obstacles in recruitment.

Home Medication Regimen Complexity in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Oncology Patients.

Background: Parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer require specialized education to provide care for their child at home, including the management of complex medication regimens.

Objective: To assess the complexity of home medication regimens in a cohort of newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients.

Methods: We inventoried and categorized all discharge medications for each patient and used the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) to quantify the complexity of the prescribed medication regimens.