Long-Term Oral Tamoxifen Administration Decreases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Hippocampus of Female Long-Evans Rats.

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is commonly used as an adjuvant drug therapy for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers. Though effective at reducing the rate of cancer recurrence, patients often report unwanted cognitive and affective side effects. Despite this, the impacts of chronic tamoxifen exposure on the brain are poorly understood, and rodent models of tamoxifen exposure do not replicate the chronic oral administration seen in patients.

Which sagittal plane assessment method is most predictive of complications after adult spinal deformity surgery?

Purpose: Different methods of sagittal alignment assessment compete for predicting adverse events after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. We wanted to study which method provides greater benefit.

Methods: Retrospective study of 391 patients operated for ASD, with > 6 instrumented levels, fused to the pelvis, and 2 years of follow-up.

Association Between Severity of Cervical Central Spinal Stenosis and Paraspinal Muscle Parameters in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between severity and level of cervical central stenosis (CCS) and the fat infiltration (FI) of the cervical multifidus/rotatores (MR) at each subaxial levels.

Summary Of Background Data: The relationship between cervical musculature morphology and the severity of CCS is poorly understood.

Disparities in Indications and Outcomes Reporting for Spinal Column Shortening for Tethered Cord Syndrome: The Need for a Standardized Approach.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To identify commonly reported indications and outcomes in spinal column shortening (SCS) procedures.

Background: SCS is a surgical procedure used in patients with tethered cord syndrome-characterized by abnormal attachment of neural components to surrounding tissues-to shorten the vertebral column, release tension on the spinal cord/neural elements, and alleviate associated symptoms.

Understanding the influence of the microbiome on childhood infections.

Introduction: The microbiome is known to have a substantial impact on human health and disease. However, the impacts of the microbiome on immune system development, susceptibility to infectious diseases, and vaccine-elicited immune responses are emerging areas of interest.

Areas Covered: In this review, we provide an overview of development of the microbiome during childhood.

"Why wasn't I doing this before?": Changed school social work practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American education system has been significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led schools to shut down and convert to remote learning environments in spring 2020. However, long before these school closures, school social workers (SSWs) have faced significant practice dilemmas, as they have encountered obstacles to their engagement in best practices. While initial pandemic school closures presented SSWs with a range of uncertain situations, they also provided the possibility to respond to practice demands in different and dynamic ways.

Whole-Body MRI Screening for Carriers of Germline TP53 Mutations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This systematic review evaluated whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) as a cancer screening tool for individuals carrying germline TP53 mutations, a population known to be at a significantly elevated risk of malignancy. The primary objective is to assess the diagnostic performance of WB-MRI in detecting cancer in this cohort.

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched until 18 August 2023.

Functionally diverse thymic medullary epithelial cells interplay to direct central tolerance.

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are essential for the establishment of self-tolerance in T cells. Promiscuous gene expression by a subpopulation of mTECs regulated by the nuclear protein Aire contributes to the display of self-genomic products to newly generated T cells. Recent reports have highlighted additional self-antigen-displaying mTEC subpopulations, namely Fezf2-expressing mTECs and a mosaic of self-mimetic mTECs including thymic tuft cells.

Three-dimensional vertebral shape changes confirm growth modulation after anterior vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) vertebra and disk shape changes over 2 years following anterior vertebral body tether (AVBT) placement in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS).

Methods: Patients with right thoracic IS treated with AVBT were retrospectively evaluated. 3D reconstructions were created from biplanar radiographs.

Valid consent in the acute hospital setting: perspectives of patients and members of the public.

Background: People who interact with healthcare services have an ethical and legal right to control their own lives, to make informed decisions, and to consent to what happens to them. For consent to be considered ethically and legally valid, three key criteria must be met: consent must be given voluntarily; people must be sufficiently informed of all options; and people should have capacity to make the decision to give or withhold their consent.

Aim: This study set out to explore, through the use of surveys, the perspectives of patients and public in relation to consent.

Why step in? Shifting justifications for bystander behaviors through interventions with youth in the Middle East.

Research shows positive bystander intervention effectively mitigates bullying experiences. Yet, more evidence regarding bystander responses to bias-based social exclusion (BSE) is needed in intergroup contexts, especially in the majority world and in areas of intractable conflict. This study assessed the effectiveness of skills and skills + contact-based interventions for BSE among 148 Palestinian Citizens of Israel (M = 10.

Discrepancies in recommendations for return to regular activities after cervical spine surgery: A survey study.

Background: The recommended timing for returning to common activities after cervical spine surgery varies widely among physicians based on training background and personal opinion, without clear guidelines or consensus. The purpose of this study was to analyze spine surgeons' responses about the recommended timing for returning to common activities after different cervical spine procedures.

Methods: This was a survey study including 91 spine surgeons.

COVID-19 lockdowns affected birthing outcomes in a regional New South Wales Health District.

Introduction: The 400 000 residents of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) experienced two distinct lockdowns aimed at mitigating the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Analysing effects of these lockdowns on maternal and neonatal outcomes presents a valuable opportunity to assess the impact of pandemic-level restrictions on maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Aim: Evaluate the impacts of restrictions from two lockdown periods on maternal, birthing, and neonatal outcomes within a regional local health district.

Lactate transporter MCT1 in hepatic stellate cells promotes fibrotic collagen expression in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Circulating lactate is a fuel source for liver metabolism but may exacerbate metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Indeed, haploinsufficiency of lactate transporter monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in mice reportedly promotes resistance to hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Here, we used adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to deliver thyroxin binding globulin (TBG)-Cre or lecithin-retinol acyltransferase (Lrat)-Cre to MCT1 mice on a choline-deficient, high-fat NASH diet to deplete hepatocyte or stellate cell MCT1, respectively.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Sound: Hearing the Electrochemical Double Layer.

Electrochemical double layers (EDLs) govern the operation of batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, and electrolyzers. However, their invisible nature makes their properties and function difficult to conceptualize, creating an impediment to the broader understanding of double-layer function required for future technologies in energy storage and chemical synthesis. To render the behavior of electrochemical interfaces more intuitive, we made the rearrangement of interfacial components audible by employing the EDL as a variable element in a relaxation oscillator circuit.

Exploring Alternatives for Marine Toxicity Testing: Initial Evaluation of Fish Embryo and Mysid Tests.

Current regulations require that toxicity assessments be performed using standardized toxicity testing methods, often using fish. Recent legislation in both the European Union and United States has mandated that toxicity testing alternatives implement the 3Rs of animal research (replacement, reduction, and refinement) whenever possible. There have been advances in the development of alternatives for freshwater assessments, but there is a lack of analogous developments for marine assessments.

Management Strategies for Malignant Left-Sided Colonic Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Propensity Score Matching Studies.

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction remains controversial. Emergency colonic resection has been the standard of care; however, self-expanding metallic stenting as a bridge to surgery may offer short-term advantages, although oncological concerns exist. Decompressing stoma may provide a valid alternative, with limited evidence.

Secondary Data Analysis: Using existing data to answer new questions.

Introduction: Secondary data analysis is a cost-effective, accessible, and efficient means of utilizing existing data to answer new research questions.

Method: The manuscript provides an overview of the secondary data analysis process, as well as benefits and limitations inherent in the research method.

Results: An exemplar of pediatric focused research using a publicly available dataset is presented to facilitate understanding of the process.

General surgeon performed emergency craniotomies in regional Queensland hospitals: a 20-year state-wide study on patient outcomes.

Background: Traumatic brain injuries account for up to 50% of trauma related deaths and if surgical intervention is indicated, consensus suggests a maximum of 4 hours to surgical decompression. The occurrence and outcomes of craniotomies performed by non-neurosurgeons in regional Queensland hospitals have never been reported previously in the literature.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed at all regional Queensland hospitals without an on-site neurosurgical service from January 2001 to December 2022 to identify patients undergoing emergency craniotomy.

Optimizing Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescent Health: Putting Evidence into Practice.

Introduction: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents are at higher risk for adverse health outcomes compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers.

Methods: Guided by the EPQA standardized reporting system, we implemented an evidence-based practice (EBP) initiative centered on affirmative healthcare for adolescents in two pediatric primary care sites. This initiative revolved around: (1) provider training on healthcare needs of SGM adolescents, (2) the use of two new EHR charting tools for SGM needs, and (3) examination of the EBP initiative using quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Preoperative Mobile Health Data Improve Predictions of Recovery From Lumbar Spine Surgery.

Background And Objectives: Neurosurgeons and hospitals devote tremendous resources to improving recovery from lumbar spine surgery. Current efforts to predict surgical recovery rely on one-time patient report and health record information. However, longitudinal mobile health (mHealth) assessments integrating symptom dynamics from ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and wearable biometric data may capture important influences on recovery.

Immunogenicity of Monovalent mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 Vaccines in Children <5 Years of Age.

Background And Objectives: The messenger RNA (mRNA)-based coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines approved for use in children <5 years of age have different antigen doses and administration schedules that could affect vaccine immunogenicity and effectiveness. We sought to compare the strength and breadth of serum binding and neutralizing antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) elicited by monovalent mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines in young children.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of children 6 months to 4 years of age who completed primary series vaccination with monovalent mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 vaccines.