Occurrence and predictors of laboratory abnormalities during outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy - A multicenter cohort study to inform laboratory test monitoring.

Objectives: Evidence on the optimal frequency of laboratory testing during outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is lacking. Therefore, we investigated how often and when laboratory abnormalities occur during OPAT and which factors are associated with these abnormalities.

Methods: We performed a multicenter cohort study in four Dutch hospitals among adult patients receiving OPAT and collected routinely obtained laboratory test results.

Accounting for the interplay of interpersonal and structural trauma in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain, opioid use disorder, and mental health in urban safety-net primary care clinics.

While the epidemiological literature recognizes associations between chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), opioid use disorder (OUD), and interpersonal trauma stemming from physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect, the complex etiologies and interplay between interpersonal and structural traumas in CNCP populations are underexamined. Research has documented the relationship between experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the likelihood of developing an OUD as an adult. However, the ACEs framework is criticized for failing to name the social and structural contexts that shape ACE vulnerabilities in families.

The intersection of drug use discrimination and racial discrimination in the management of chronic non-cancer pain in United States primary care safety-net clinics: Implications for healthcare system and clinic-level changes.

Background: Clinicians' bias related to patients' race and substance use history play a role in pain management. However, patients' or clinicians' understandings about discriminatory practices and the structural factors that contribute to and exacerbate these practices are underexamined. We report on perceptions of discrimination from the perspectives of patients with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and a history of substance use and their clinicians within the structural landscape of reductions in opioid prescribing in the United States.

Patient-tailored risk assessment of obstructive coronary artery disease using Rubidium-82 PET-based myocardial flow quantification with visual interpretation.

Introduction: Our aim was to estimate the probability of obstructive CAD (oCAD) for an individual patient as a function of the myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measured with Rubidium-82 (Rb-82) PET in patients with a visually normal or abnormal scan.

Materials And Methods: We included 1519 consecutive patients without a prior history of CAD referred for rest-stress Rb-82 PET/CT. All images were visually assessed by two experts and classified as normal or abnormal.

Machine learning based model to diagnose obstructive coronary artery disease using calcium scoring, PET imaging, and clinical data.

Introduction: Accurate risk stratification in patients with suspected stable coronary artery disease is essential for choosing an appropriate treatment strategy. Our aim was to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) based model to diagnose obstructive CAD (oCAD).

Method: We retrospectively have included 1007 patients without a prior history of CAD who underwent CT-based calcium scoring (CACS) and a Rubidium-82 PET scan.

Diagnostic value of regional myocardial flow reserve measurements using Rubidium-82 PET : Disclosures none.

Purpose: Visual assessment of Rubidium (Rb-82) PET myocardial perfusion images is usually combined with global myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements. However, small regional blood flow deficits may go unnoticed. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of regional with global MFR in the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (oCAD).

Clickable Vitamins as a New Tool to Track Vitamin A and Retinoic Acid in Immune Cells.

The vitamin A derivative, retinoid acid (RA) is key player in guiding adaptive mucosal immune responses. However, data on the uptake and metabolism of vitamin A within human immune cells has remained largely elusive because retinoids are small, lipophilic molecules which are difficult to detect. To overcome this problem and to be able to study the effect of vitamin A metabolism in human immune cell subsets, we have synthesized novel bio-orthogonal retinoid-based probes (clickable probes), which are structurally and functionally indistinguishable from vitamin A.

Effect of temporal sampling protocols on myocardial blood flow measurements using Rubidium-82 PET.

Background: A variety of temporal sampling protocols is used worldwide to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF). Both the length and number of time frames in these protocols may alter MBF and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements. We aimed to assess the effect of different clinically used temporal sampling protocols on MBF and MFR quantification in Rubidium-82 (Rb-82) PET imaging.

Value of SiPM PET in myocardial perfusion imaging using Rubidium-82.

Background: PET scanners using silicon photomultipliers with digital readout (SiPM PET) have an improved temporal and spatial resolution compared to PET scanners using conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMT PET). However, the effect on image quality and visibility of perfusion defects in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is unknown. Our aim was to determine the value of a SiPM PET scanner in MPI.

STA-55, an Easily Accessible, Broad-Spectrum, Activity-Based Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Probe.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) convert aldehydes into carboxylic acids and are often upregulated in cancer. They have been linked to therapy resistance and are therefore potential therapeutic targets. However, only a few selective and potent inhibitors are currently available for this group of enzymes.

Development of a Retinal-Based Probe for the Profiling of Retinaldehyde Dehydrogenases in Cancer Cells.

Retinaldehyde dehydrogenases belong to a superfamily of enzymes that regulate cell differentiation and are responsible for detoxification of anticancer drugs. Chemical tools and methods are of great utility to visualize and quantify aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in health and disease. Here, we present the discovery of a first-in-class chemical probe based on retinal, the endogenous substrate of retinal ALDHs.

APPLIED TRAINING IN A MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY MASTER'S PROGRAM.

Learning practical skills is key to becoming an applied anthropologist. For my MS degree, I chose a program at Boston University School of Medicine that incorporates skills development into the curriculum through its Service-Learning Internship Program (SLIP). The SLIP facilitates students' familiarity with their field site throughout the first year, before they start summer fieldwork.

How to detect and correct myocardial creep in myocardial perfusion imaging using Rubidium-82 PET?

Reliability of myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using PET can majorly be affected by the occurrence of myocardial creep when using pharmacologically induced stress. In this paper, we provide instructions on how to detect and correct for myocardial creep. For example, in each time frame of the PET images the myocardium contour and the observed activity have to be compared to check for misalignments.

Impact of regadenoson-induced myocardial creep on dynamic Rubidium-82 PET myocardial blood flow quantification.

Background: Repositioning of the heart during myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using Rubidium-82 (Rb-82) PET may occur when using regadenoson. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and the effect of correcting for this myocardial creep on myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification.

Methods: We retrospectively included 119 consecutive patients who underwent dynamic rest- and regadenoson-induced stress MPI using Rb-82 PET.

Opportunities for Lipid-Based Probes in the Field of Immunology.

Lipids perform a wide range of functions inside the cell, ranging from structural building block of membranes and energy storage to cell signaling. The mode of action of many signaling lipids has remained elusive due to their low abundance, high lipophilicity, and inherent instability. Various chemical biology approaches, such as photoaffinity or activity-based protein profiling methods, have been employed to shed light on the biological role of lipids and the lipid-protein interaction profile.

The relationships between nasal hyperreactivity, quality of life, and nasal symptoms in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.

Background: A clinical test that could inform the clinician about the severity of a patient's nasal symptoms and health-related quality of life (QOL) would be very useful.

Objective: We attempted to determine whether, in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, nasal challenge with histamine could be used to estimate daily symptoms and QOL.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were challenged with histamine to determine nasal hyperreactivity.

Relationship between nasal hyperreactivity, mediators and eosinophils in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and controls.

Background: In perennial allergic rhinitis, patients are almost daily exposed to aeroallergens. This ongoing allergic reaction results in increased sensitivity to allergens and non-specific stimuli. It is generally known that inflammatory cells and mediators are involved in the pathogenesis of the allergic reaction.