Using Integrin αβ-Targeted Positron Emission Tomography Imaging to Longitudinally Monitor Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis In Vivo.

Purpose: Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a potentially serious and disabling late complication of radiation therapy. Monitoring RIPF progression is challenging due to the absence of early detection tools and the difficulty in distinguishing RIPF from other lung diseases using standard imaging methods. In the lungs, integrin αvβ6 is crucial in the development of RIPF, acting as a significant activator of transforming growth factor β after radiation injury.

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Chronic Disease Burden in the U.S., 2018-2021.

Introduction: Chronic diseases are primary causes of mortality and disability in the U.S. Although individual-level indices to assess the burden of multiple chronic diseases exist, there is a lack of quantitative tools at the population level.

Understanding Primary Care Physician Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Qualitative Study.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are well suited to manage patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the limited, existing research suggests inadequate knowledge about the natural history, diagnostic methods, and management of NAFLD. The purpose of this qualitative study is to further understand the knowledge and practices for the diagnosis and management of NAFLD among PCPs. We conducted in-depth interviews with PCPs in the Greater Houston area, addressing current clinical practices used for diagnosing and managing NAFLD, as well as the perceptions of the PCPs regarding the burden of NAFLD on patients.