Norovirus Management and Outcomes in a Multicenter Pediatric Kidney Transplant Population.

Background: Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis. Studies in adult kidney recipients have documented significant morbidity associated with norovirus infection, but there are few studies in pediatric recipients.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study of pediatric kidney transplant recipients with norovirus, confirmed by stool PCR, between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018.

c-Src-induced vascular malformations require localised matrix degradation at focal adhesions.

Endothelial cells lining the blood vessel wall communicate intricately with the surrounding extracellular matrix, translating mechanical cues into biochemical signals. Moreover, vessels require the capability to enzymatically degrade the matrix surrounding them, to facilitate vascular expansion. c-Src plays a key role in blood vessel growth, with its loss in the endothelium reducing vessel sprouting and focal adhesion signalling.

Hyaluronic acid turnover controls the severity of cerebral cavernous malformations in bioengineered human micro-vessels.

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular lesions that predominantly form in blood vessels of the central nervous system upon loss of the CCM multimeric protein complex. The endothelial cells within CCM lesions are characterized by overactive MEKK3 kinase and KLF2/4 transcription factor signaling, leading to pathological changes such as increased endothelial cell spreading and reduced junctional integrity. Concomitant to aberrant endothelial cell signaling, non-autonomous signals from the extracellular matrix (ECM) have also been implicated in CCM lesion growth and these factors might explain why CCM lesions mainly develop in the central nervous system.

Optimized purification methods for metallic contaminant removal from directly recycled Li-ion battery cathodes.

Metallic contaminants pose a significant challenge to the viability of directly recycling Li-ion batteries. To date, few strategies exist to selectively remove metallic impurities from mixtures of shredded end-of-life material (black mass; BM) without concurrently damaging the structure and electrochemical performance of the target active material. We herein present tailored methods to selectively ionize two major contaminants-Al and Cu-while retaining a representative cathode (LiNiMnCoO; NMC-111) intact.

Dynamically regulated focal adhesions coordinate endothelial cell remodelling in developing vasculature.

The assembly of a mature vascular network involves coordinated endothelial cell (EC) shape changes, including the process of EC elongation. How EC elongation is dynamically regulated in vivo is not fully understood. Here, we have generated a zebrafish mutant that is deficient for the integrin adaptor protein Talin 1 (Tln1).

Impacts of anterior-posterior jaw disproportions on speech of dentofacial disharmony patients.

Background/objectives: Articulation problems impact communication, development, and quality of life, and are diagnosed in 73-87% of patients with Class II Dentofacial Disharmony (DFD). We evaluated whether differences exist in stop (/t/ or/k/), fricative (/s/ or/ʃ/), and affricate (/tʃ/) consonant sounds of Class II DFD subjects, and whether extent of malocclusion correlates with severity of speech distortion. We hypothesized that Class II patients display milder distortions than Class III and anterior open bite (AOB), as Class II patients can posture into a Class I occlusion.

Impacts of Skeletal Anterior Open Bite Malocclusion on Speech.

Introduction: Articulation problems are seen in 80-90% of dentofacial deformity (DFD) subjects compared with 5% of the general population, impacting communication and quality of life, but the causal link is unclear. We hypothesize there are both qualitative (perceptual) and quantitative (spectral) differences in properties of stop (/t/ or /k/), fricative (/s/ or /∫/), and affricate (/t∫/) consonant sounds and that severity of anterior open bite (AOB) jaw disharmonies correlates with degree of speech abnormality.

Methods: To test our hypotheses, surgical orthodontic records and audio recordings were collected from DFD patients (n=39 AOB, 62 controls).

Heart failure decompensation alerts in a patient's home using an automated, AI-driven, point-of-care device.

Heart failure (HF) is a major challenge worldwide and needs continuous monitoring of patients even after hospital discharge. This case report summarises the data collected and experience gained from the first usage of an automated, point-of-care device (Heartfelt device) in a patient's home in the UK. The device monitors the onset of peripheral oedema and alerts clinicians if an increase in volume outside an expected normal range for the patient is detected.

A unique pancreatic phenotype in a child with a WDR19-related ciliopathy: A case report and literature review of pancreatic involvement in ciliopathies.

Ciliopathies are a group of genetic disorders caused by ciliary dysfunction. Thirty-five distinct multi-organ phenotypes have been recognized, with 187 genes associated. We performed a literature review of pancreatic involvement in ciliopathies and found that pancreatic disease is an uncommon phenotype described in only a handful of these genetic disorders.

Orthognathic speech pathology: impacts of Class III malocclusion on speech.

Introduction: Patients with dentofacial disharmonies (DFDs) seek orthodontic care and orthognathic surgery to address issues with mastication, esthetics, and speech. Speech distortions are seen 18 times more frequently in Class III DFD patients than the general population, with unclear causality. We hypothesize there are significant differences in spectral properties of stop (/t/ or /k/), fricative (/s/ or /ʃ/), and affricate (/tʃ/) consonants and that severity of Class III disharmony correlates with the degree of speech abnormality.

Live-imaging of endothelial Erk activity reveals dynamic and sequential signalling events during regenerative angiogenesis.

The formation of new blood vessel networks occurs via angiogenesis during development, tissue repair, and disease. Angiogenesis is regulated by intracellular endothelial signalling pathways, induced downstream of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs). A major challenge in understanding angiogenesis is interpreting how signalling events occur dynamically within endothelial cell populations during sprouting, proliferation, and migration.

Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Video and AI Solution to Measure Lower Leg and Foot Volume.

Background And Objectives: Peripheral edema, change in foot volume, is a marker of congestion which is regularly assessed in routine clinical care. A novel video and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based solution used to measure anatomical parameters, including volume and foot length, Heartfelt HF-1, is compared to the laboratory gold standard (water displacement) and a medical disposable measuring tape.

Design Setting Participants And Measurements: 58 healthy volunteers were measured with the Heartfelt device; 22 were also measured with the water displacement method and 19 with the medical tape.

3D printing with silk: considerations and applications.

Silk is a natural polymer sourced mainly from spiders and silkworms. Due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical properties, it has been heavily investigated for biomedical applications. It can be processed into a number of formats, such as scaffolds, films, and nanoparticles.

Identifying the Cause of Rupture of Li-Ion Batteries during Thermal Runaway.

As the energy density of lithium-ion cells and batteries increases, controlling the outcomes of thermal runaway becomes more challenging. If the high rate of gas generation during thermal runaway is not adequately vented, commercial cell designs can rupture and explode, presenting serious safety concerns. Here, ultra-high-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging is used at >20 000 frames per second to characterize the venting processes of six different 18650 cell designs undergoing thermal runaway.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty as replacement therapy in medically controlled glaucoma patients.

Purpose: We examined selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a replacement therapy for medically controlled open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertensive patients.

Methods: A prospective randomized interventional clinical trial on 143 glaucoma patients. Patients were randomized to either receiving SLT or to the control group that continued on pressure lowering medication.

Quality of life in glaucoma patients after selective laser trabeculoplasty.

Aim: To compare quality of life and treatment satisfaction between patients who had selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and those on medication.

Methods: A prospective clinical trial on 143 glaucoma patients that received SLT and a control group that continued using anti glaucoma medication was conducted. Tear break-up time (BUT), punctuate keratitis, need for help, use of artificial tears and the treatment satisfaction survey of intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured at baseline, 6 and 12mo.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty in pseudophakic and phakic eyes: a prospective study.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in replacing medical therapy in pseudophakic and phakic eyes.

Methods: Subgroup of a prospective randomized clinical trial including patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension controlled with medication. Of 38 pseudophakic eyes were matched with 38 phakic eyes.

Synthesis and chemical reactivity of a 6-Me-3,2-hydroxypyridinone dithiazolide with primary amines: a route to new hexadentate chelators for hard metal(III) ions.

A hydroxypyridinone building block, bifunctionalized with thiazoline, has been prepared from orthogonally protected 2-(3-(benzyloxy)-4-(ethoxycarbonyl)-6-methyl-2-oxopyridin-1(2H)-yl) acetic acid. The reactivity of the dithiazolide has been explored with two primary amines, leading to the synthesis and characterization of four new hexadentate ligands. Their complexes with selected hard trivalent ions pertinent to potential molecular imaging applications have been surveyed.

Randomized Prospective Study of the Use of Anti-Inflammatory Drops After Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.

Purpose: Evaluating the use of Indomethacin, Dexamethasone, and no anti-inflammatory treatment immediately after selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).

Materials And Methods: Prospective randomized clinical trial of 132 eyes. Both eyes of the patient underwent SLT.

Where does selective laser trabeculoplasty stand now? A review.

Background: Chronic treatment of glaucoma can present a challenge in patients who lack the means and/or the discipline to use daily glaucoma medication. We wondered if selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) could be a useful alternative.

Inclusion Criteria: controlled trials comparing efficacy of SLT in adult patients with any form of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and case reports on side effects of SLT.

Update on adolescent tobacco cessation.

Adolescent tobacco use is decreasing in West Virginia, a state which features the Not on Tobacco (NOT) and RAZE programs. This manuscript gives an overview of recent studies in adolescent tobacco cessation, what works and what doesn't. More research is needed to improve cessation rates in adolescents.

In-home preventive comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) reduces mortality--a randomized controlled trial.

The study should prove the effectiveness of a preventive in-home CGA regarding mortality and time able to stay in the community. We performed a randomized controlled trial with a mean follow-up of 6.2 years.

Primary care guidelines for geriatric assessment. A structured, comparative analysis.

A structured geriatric assessment (GA) improves the quality of health care; however, the quality of GA guidelines has hardly been investigated. Eight guidelines were identified by systematically searching guideline databases, web sites of guideline developers, and PubMed. The methodological quality was assessed by two appraisers using the German Guideline Evaluation Instrument (DELBI).