Identification of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Prediction of Disease Severity via Machine Learning Analysis of Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and Complete Blood Count Data.

Background: Diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) typically relies on high-resolution computed tomography imaging (HRCT) or histopathology, while monitoring disease severity is done via frequent pulmonary function testing (PFT). More reliable and convenient methods of diagnosing fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) type and monitoring severity would allow for early identification and enhance current therapeutic interventions. This study tested the hypothesis that a machine learning (ML) ensemble analysis of comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and complete blood count (CBC) data can accurately distinguish IPF from connective tissue disease ILD (CTD-ILD) and predict disease severity as seen with PFT.

Chronic activation of adrenal Gq signaling induces Cyp11b2 expression in the zona fasciculata and hyperaldosteronism.

Hyperaldosteronism is often associated with inappropriate aldosterone production and aldosterone synthase (Cyp11b2) expression. Normally, Cyp11b2 expression is limited to the adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) and regulated by angiotensin II which signals through Gq protein-coupled receptors. As cells migrate inwards, they differentiate into 11β-hydroxylase-expressing zona fasciculata (ZF) cells lacking Cyp11b2.

Disease diagnosis and severity classification in pulmonary fibrosis using carbonyl volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath.

Background: Pathophysiological conditions underlying pulmonary fibrosis remain poorly understood. Exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have shown promise for lung disease diagnosis and classification. In particular, carbonyls are a byproduct of oxidative stress, associated with fibrosis in the lungs.

The utility of community-based participatory research: Increasing research engagement among minoritized ethnoracial groups.

Objective: This article conceptually examined the need for and utility of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches for increasing rates of engagement in psychological research among underserved minoritized ethnoracial groups.

Methods: This article examined the literature for relevant studies examining rates of research engagement by minoritized ethnoracial groups, significant factors precluding research engagement, and the consequences of this disparity for mental health outcomes. The theoretical literature outlining the development and utility of alternative, community-based participatory research methods was included.

Inhibition of Chk2 promotes neuroprotection, axon regeneration, and functional recovery after CNS injury.

DNA double-strand breaks occur in many acute and long-term neurological conditions, including neurodegeneration, neurotrauma, and stroke. Nonrepaired breaks chronically activate the DNA damage response in neurons, leading to neural dysfunction and apoptosis. Here, we show that targeting of the central ATM-Chk2 pathway regulating the response to double-strand breaks slows neural decline in models of chronic neurodegeneration.

An estrogen-sensitive fibroblast population drives abdominal muscle fibrosis in an inguinal hernia mouse model.

Greater than 25% of all men develop an inguinal hernia in their lifetime, and more than 20 million inguinal hernia repair surgeries are performed worldwide each year. The mechanisms causing abdominal muscle weakness, the formation of inguinal hernias, or their recurrence are largely unknown. We previously reported that excessively produced estrogen in the lower abdominal muscles (LAMs) triggers extensive LAM fibrosis, leading to hernia formation in a transgenic male mouse model expressing the human aromatase gene (Aromhum).

Standard Gamble to Derive Utility Health States for Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

Purpose: To generate UK health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) data for adult patients with moderate-to-severe limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), unilateral or bilateral, due to physical or chemical ocular burns to help inform economic evaluations of treatments.

Patients And Methods: EQ-5D-3L with vision bolt-on scores was prospectively measured for one of five clinical scenarios of LSCD described in vignettes in a demographically representative population of 520 UK adults. These were converted to health state utilities using three different UK value sets.

Implementation of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy Outside the Intensive Care Setting.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an option for respiratory support in patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure. To improve patient outcomes, reduce ICU-associated costs, and ease ICU bed availability, a multi-phased, comprehensive strategy was implemented to make HFNC available outside the ICU under the supervision of pulmonology or trauma providers in cooperation with a dedicated respiratory therapy team. The purpose of this study was to describe the education and implementation process for initiating HFNC therapy outside the ICU and to convey key patient demographics and outcomes from the implementation period.

White Paper: Yoga Therapy and Pain-How Yoga Therapy Serves in Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management, and How It Can Do More.

This paper examines the role of yoga therapy in comprehensive integrative pain management (CIPM). The pain crisis is described, and how yoga therapists can contribute to its solution is explained. Yoga therapy can be an essential component of the multidisciplinary undertaking that will be required to improve patient outcomes and alter the trajectory of the global public health crisis constituted by an epidemic of poorly understood and inadequately addressed pain.

Determining Physical Therapists' Readiness for Integrating Yoga Therapeutics into Rehabilitation.

The positive health effects of yoga have led physical therapists (PTs) to integrate elements of the discipline into their treatments in some settings. Formal PT education includes limited, if any, training in yoga, and there is no system in place to provide education on safely implementing therapeutic yoga (TY) as an adjunctive treatment approach. The purposes of this study were to: (1) assess the readiness of PTs (those who do not currently prescribe TY to patients) to integrate TY into treatment, and (2) determine the feasibility of a 5-week online TY training to improve the readiness of PTs to utilize TY in their practices.

Home FES: An Exploratory Review.

This review of literature focuses on the multiple uses of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and how this modality may be a valuable home-based therapy. Papers pertaining to home FES exercise were collected using the Web of Science, Google Scholar databases and collegial hints. In our opinion, the following statements summarize the results.

Chemogenetic activation of adrenocortical Gq signaling causes hyperaldosteronism and disrupts functional zonation.

The mineralocorticoid aldosterone is produced in the adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) under the control of the renin-angiotensin II (AngII) system. Primary aldosteronism (PA) results from renin-independent production of aldosterone and is a common cause of hypertension. PA is caused by dysregulated localization of the enzyme aldosterone synthase (Cyp11b2), which is normally restricted to the ZG.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis protein Cln7 functions in the postsynaptic cell to regulate synapse development.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of fatal, monogenic neurodegenerative disorders with an early onset in infancy or childhood. Despite identification of the genes disrupted in each form of the disease, their normal cellular role and how their deficits lead to disease pathology is not fully understood. Cln7, a major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein, is affected in a late infantile-onset form of NCL.

Retrospective Safety Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Assisted Total Dose Iron Sucrose Protocol in Hospital Inpatients With Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Background: Intravenous (IV) iron sucrose can be used for iron deficiency anemia (IDA), but little information exists on total dose infusion (TDI) of this drug. At a tertiary hospital, an iron sucrose TDI protocol was implemented with staff pharmacists aiding physicians in appropriate dosing.

Objectives: We sought to define the safety and efficacy of this protocol in adults ≥18 years old with IDA.

Continuous tracking of startled as an alternative to the negative geotaxis climbing assay.

The fruit fly, is commonly used to study late-onset neurodegenerative diseases due to the combination of powerful genetic tools, cheap and simple husbandry and short lifespan. One widely-used measure of disease progression is the age-dependent decline in motor performance that manifests in most neurodegeneration models. This is usually quantified using a simple climbing assay.

Attenuating the DNA damage response to double-strand breaks restores function in models of CNS neurodegeneration.

DNA double-strand breaks are a feature of many acute and long-term neurological disorders, including neurodegeneration, following neurotrauma and after stroke. Persistent activation of the DNA damage response in response to double-strand breaks contributes to neural dysfunction and pathology as it can force post-mitotic neurons to re-enter the cell cycle leading to senescence or apoptosis. Mature, non-dividing neurons may tolerate low levels of DNA damage, in which case muting the DNA damage response might be neuroprotective.

Apparent interference with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation by liposomal amphotericin B in a patient with disseminated blastomycosis receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.

Purpose: We describe the use of liposomal amphotericin B and amphotericin B deoxycholate in a critically ill patient with pulmonary blastomycosis receiving both venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Summary: A 50-year-old African American man presented for dyspnea and cough and was noted to have blastomycosis on bronchoscopy. He developed respiratory failure and acute kidney injury, requiring mechanical ventilation, ECMO, and CRRT.

Tamoxifen for bipolar disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tamoxifen is an oral medication that has been proposed as a potential treatment for bipolar disorder. Tamoxifen acts to inhibit the intracellular action of protein kinase C, which is also an action of well-established treatments such as lithium and valproate. Here we aimed to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of tamoxifen in the treatment of bipolar disorder and synthesise their results using meta-analysis.

Applying economic models to estimate local economic benefits of improved coverage of early intervention for psychosis.

Aim: Early Intervention Psychosis Services (EIPS) for people experiencing First Episode Psychosis (FEP) offer important clinical and non-clinical benefits over standard care. Similarly, intervention for Clinical High Risk for Psychosis state (CHR-P) can prevent psychosis, ameliorate symptoms and have non-clinical benefits. This study aimed to estimate associated local economic benefits of FEP and CHR-P services compared with standard care.

The duty cycle in Functional Electrical Stimulation research. Part II: Duty cycle multiplicity and domain reporting.

In part I of this review, we introduced the duty cycle as a fundamental parameter in controlling the effect of electrical stimulation pulse trains on muscle structural and functional properties with special emphasis on fatigue. Following on from a survey of the literature, we discuss here the relative ability of intermittent and continuous stimulation to fatigue muscle. In addition, pertinent literature is explored on a more deeper level, highlighting contentions regarding the duty cycle across studies.

Reporting for Duty: The duty cycle in Functional Electrical Stimulation research. Part I: Critical commentaries of the literature.

There are several parameters that can be modulated during electrical stimulation-induced muscle contraction to obtain external work, i.e., Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).

Lessons from Vienna: stakeholder perceptions of functional electrical stimulation technology and a conceptual model for practice.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a technology that can be used on paralyzed muscles to allow them to move. It has been used in populations with muscle paralysis or weakness for exercise, such as spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis. In order to improve technology, it is vital to understand from a qualitative perspective, issues surrounding device development and implementation.

THE IMPACT OF WARM-UP ON YOUTH GOLFER CLUBHEAD SPEED AND SELF-REPORTED SHOT QUALITY.

Background/purpose: Physical preparation in golf is now considered a key component of the game. With players becoming more athletic, warm-up has become an important area in a player's preparation for practice and competition. Much of the research to date has focused on the adult golfer, showing potential for improvements in clubhead speed, driving distance and shot quality, as well as reductions in injury risk.