Baseline gene expression in BALB/c and C57BL/6 peritoneal macrophages influences but does not dictate their functional phenotypes.

Macrophages are effector cells of the immune system and essential modulators of immune responses. Different functional phenotypes of macrophages with specific roles in the response to stimuli have been described. The C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse strains tend to selectively display distinct macrophage activation states in response to pathogens, namely, the M1 and M2 phenotypes, respectively.

Pathovar Infection Reveals Different Defense Mechanisms in Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars.

pv. is the main causal agent of bacterial canker in sweet cherry in Chile, causing significant economic losses. Cultivars exhibit diverse susceptibility in the field and the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential responses remain unclear.

Antiprotozoal Natural Products from Endophytic Fungi Associated with Cacao and Coffee.

Background: Collectively, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease cause approximately 8 million cases and more than 40,000 deaths annually, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The current drugs used to treat these diseases have limitations and many undesirable side effects; hence, new drugs with better clinical profiles are needed. Fungal endophytes associated with plants are known to produce a wide array of bioactive secondary metabolites, including antiprotozoal compounds.

Advances in Vaccines: Current Development and Future Prospects.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus . As approved human vaccines are not available, treatment and prevention rely heavily on toxic chemotherapeutic agents, which face increasing resistance problems. The development of effective vaccines against human leishmaniasis is of utmost importance for the control of the disease.

Safety of Intrauterine Transfusion Performed Beyond 34 weeks of Gestation.

Objective: To describe (1) procedure-related complications, and (2) gestational age (GA) at delivery in patients who received their final intrauterine transfusion (IUT) at ≥ 34 weeks 0 days versus at < 34 weeks 0 days.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of pregnancies treated with IUT. Procedure-related complications were defined as any of the following within 48 h of IUT: (1) rupture of membranes or preterm delivery, (2) intrauterine infection, (3) fetal death, (4) fetal compromise resulting in emergency cesarean, or (5) neonatal death.

Clot migration in patients treated with tenecteplase versus alteplase before mechanical thrombectomy.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe and analyze the rate of clot migration of vessel thrombosis to distal segments in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who received intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with tenecteplase (TNK) and alteplase (ALT) before mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In addition, we aimed to determine the relationship between thrombus migration and functional prognosis.

Methods: This study followed the STROBE reporting guidelines.

Computational Prediction of Amino Acid Preferences of Potentially Multispecific Peptide-Binding Domains Involved in Protein-Protein Interactions.

Many protein-protein interactions involve the binding of short protein segments to peptide-binding domains. Usually, such interactions require the recognition of linear motifs with variable conservation. The combination of highly conserved and more variable regions in the same ligands often contributes to the multispecificity of binding, a common property of enzymes and cell signaling proteins.

Revisiting MOMS criteria for prenatal repair of spina bifida: upper gestational-age limit should be raised and assessment of prenatal motor function rather than anatomical level improves prediction of postnatal function.

Objectives: To determine if the lower-extremity neurological motor function level in fetuses with open spina bifida deteriorates within the 4-week interval between a first prenatal motor assessment at around 22 weeks of gestation and a second evaluation, prior to 'late' prenatal surgery, defined as surgery at 26-28 weeks and, in certain situations, up to 30 weeks, and to assess the association between prenatal presurgical motor-function level, anatomical level of the lesion and postnatal motor-function level.

Methods: This was a two-center cohort study of 94 singleton fetuses with open spina bifida which underwent percutaneous repair using the skin-over-biocellulose for antenatal fetoscopic repair (SAFER) technique between December 2016 and January 2022. All women underwent two prenatal systematic ultrasound evaluations, approximately 4 weeks apart, with the second one being performed less than 1 week before surgery, and one postnatal evaluation via physical examination within 2 months of birth.

Lower-Extremity Injuries Predominate in American High School Tennis Players.

Purpose: To describe injury epidemiology in U.S. adolescent tennis players between 2014 and 2018 via the High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) database.

A retrospective cohort study of prescribing outcomes in outpatients treated with nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir for COVID-19 in an interdisciplinary community clinic.

Background: Large observational studies have demonstrated the real-world effectiveness of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in preventing severe COVID-19 in higher risk individuals, but have provided limited information on other aspects of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir use. Our objective was to evaluate prescribing outcomes such as the prevalence of drug-drug interactions (DDI), adverse drug events (ADE) and treatment adherence in an outpatient community clinic setting.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study of adult outpatients prescribed nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in our community COVID-19 assessment clinic in Toronto, Ontario between March 3 and September 20, 2022.

Continuous Epidural Analgesia Versus Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block in Unilateral Lower Extremity Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery: A Matched Case Comparison Study.

Introduction Continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) provides effective postoperative pain relief but includes a substantial side effect profile. Continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNBs) have fewer side effects and may quicken ambulation. The purpose of this study was to compare the morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), need for analgesic rescue, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, time to ambulation, postoperative blood pressures, length of stay (LOS), and adverse event rates.

Tuberculosis Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice in Middle- and Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from an infectious agent in the world. Most tuberculosis cases are concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study is to better understand tuberculosis-related knowledge about TB disease, prevention, treatment and sources of information, attitudes towards TB patients and their stigmatization and prevention, diagnosis and treatment practices in the general population of middle- and low-income countries, with a high tuberculosis burden, and provide evidence for policy development and decision-making.

Prenatal radiographic evaluation of congenital transverse limb deficiencies: A scoping review.

Background: Congenital transverse deficiencies are horizontal deficiencies of the long bones that occur with a reported incidence as high 0.38%. They can occur alone or represent a manifestation of a various clinical syndromes.

A Prospective Clinical Trial Comparing Denervation With Suspension Arthroplasty for Treatment of Carpometacarpal Arthritis of the Thumb.

Purpose: Trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty is the most popular treatment for thumb carpometacarpal arthritis. However, carpometacarpal denervation has recently shown promise as an alternative treatment option. This study was designed to compare functional outcomes, pain reduction, and quality of life between denervation and suspension arthroplasty in patients treated for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.

Viral dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant among household contacts with 2 or 3 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 shedding has changed as new variants have emerged. It is important to understand the trajectory of PCR positivity due to Omicron in vaccinated populations.

Methods: Double- or triple-vaccinated adult household contacts of individuals with COVID-19 self-collected oral-nasal swabs for 14 days.

Optimal Visualization of Os Subfibulare Using 3D Water Selective Cartilage Scan (3D_WATSc) MRI Sequencing: A Case Report.

Os subfibulare is an accessory ossicle of the lateral malleolus at the distal end of the fibula. In most instances, os subfibulare is found incidentally on radiographs. While os subfibulare typically remains asymptomatic, some cases may present with ankle pain or instability.

Building Programs to Eradicate Toxoplasmosis Part I: Introduction and Overview.

Purpose Of Review: Review building of programs to eliminate infections.

Recent Findings: Morbidity and mortality from toxoplasmosis led to programs in USA, Panama, and Colombia to facilitate understanding, treatment, prevention, and regional resources, incorporating student work.

Summary: Studies foundational for building recent, regional approaches/programs are reviewed.

Medical Scribes in an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Clinic Improve Productivity and Physician Well-Being.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of scribe use on physicians, nurses, and patients in an orthopaedic sports medicine clinic.

Methods: Surveys containing validated outcome measures relating to physician well-being and workplace satisfaction, among other variables, were used to assess the influence of medical scribes on clinic function. These surveys were collected for 8 months from all patients, nurses, and orthopaedic surgeons working in one orthopaedic sports medicine clinic.