Neighborhood-level measures of socioeconomic status impact healthcare utilization and surgical outcomes in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients in the Deep South.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of neighborhood-level and individual-level measures of socioeconomic status with readmission, complication rates, and postoperative length of stay of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in the Deep South.

Methods: The authors identified all patients undergoing surgical intervention for the treatment of CSM from November 2010 to February 2022 using Current Procedural Terminology and ICD-9/ICD-10 codes. Patient demographic, socioeconomic, perioperative, and postoperative data for each patient were collected via review of the electronic medical record.

The IL-2 SYNTHORIN molecule promotes functionally adapted Tregs in a preclinical model of type 1 diabetes.

Deficits in IL-2 signaling can precipitate autoimmunity by altering the function and survival of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) while high concentrations of IL-2 fuel inflammatory responses. Recently, we showed that the non-beta IL-2 SYNTHORIN molecule SAR444336 (SAR'336) can bypass the induction of autoimmune and inflammatory responses by increasing its reliance on IL-2 receptor α chain subunit (CD25) to provide a bona fide IL-2 signal selectively to Tregs, making it an attractive approach for the control of autoimmunity. In this report, we further demonstrate that SAR'336 can support non-beta IL-2 signaling in murine Tregs and limit NK and CD8+ T cells' proliferation and function.

A Pipeline and Recommendations for Population and Individual Diagnostic SNP Selection in Non-Model Species.

Despite substantial reductions in the cost of sequencing over the last decade, genetic panels remain relevant due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility across a variety of sample types. In particular, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels are increasingly favoured for conservation applications. SNP panels are often used because of their adaptability, effectiveness with low-quality samples, and cost-efficiency for population monitoring and forensics.

Evolutionary consequences of domestication on the selective effects of new amino acid changing mutations in canids.

The domestication of wild canids led to dogs no longer living in the wild but instead residing alongside humans. Extreme changes in behavior and diet associated with domestication may have led to the relaxation of the selective pressure on traits that may be less important in the domesticated context. Thus, here we hypothesize that strongly deleterious mutations may have become less deleterious in domesticated populations.

Developmental hematopoietic stem cell variation explains clonal hematopoiesis later in life.

Clonal hematopoiesis becomes increasingly common with age, but its cause is enigmatic because driver mutations are often absent. Serial observations infer weak selection indicating variants are acquired much earlier in life with unexplained initial growth spurts. Here we use fluctuating CpG methylation as a lineage marker to track stem cell clonal dynamics of hematopoiesis.

Implementing a pain psychology screening process in primary care.

Background: Integrating pain psychology in primary care has the potential to improve symptom burden; however, identifying those who may benefit is a challenge. The purpose of this study was to gather feedback from a multidisciplinary team to optimize digital screening and referral for psychological treatment of chronic pain distress within primary care.

Method: Team members in a primary care clinic were introduced to the proposed screening process and offered the opportunity to complete a feedback survey.

Bexotegrast Shows Dose-dependent Integrin αβ Receptor Occupancy in Lungs of Participants with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Phase 2, Open-Label Clinical Trial.

: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by dyspnea and loss of lung function. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) activation mediated by α integrins is central to the pathogenesis of IPF. Bexotegrast (PLN 74809) is an oral, once-daily, dual-selective inhibitor of αβ and αβ integrins under investigation for the treatment of IPF.

Presentation to the Emergency Department Increases the Likelihood of Surgical Management of Minimally Displaced Gartland Type IIa Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures.

Background: Few studies have explored factors influencing the clinical decision-making process in the management of Gartland type IIa supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHFs). This study sought to determine whether the location of patient presentation and patient socioeconomic status are associated with the treatment of type IIa SCHFs.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 262 patients younger than 13 years of age seen for acute Gartland type II SCHFs between 2012 and 2022.

A Precision Engineered Interleukin-2 for Bolstering CD8+ T- and NK-cell Activity without Eosinophilia and Vascular Leak Syndrome in Nonhuman Primates.

Unlabelled: We have created a precisely pegylated IL-2 [SAR-444245 (SAR'245) or pegenzileukin, previously THOR-707] designed for proliferation of target CD8+ T and NK cells for anticancer activity, with minimal expansion of anti-target regulatory CD4+ T cells (Treg) that counter their action, or eosinophils that trigger vascular leak syndrome (VLS). We performed in vivo studies in nonhuman primates (NHP) to monitor the safety of SAR'245, pharmacokinetic profile, and pharmacodynamic parameters including expansion of peripheral CD8+ T and NK cells, and effects on Tregs and eosinophils. Studies included multiple ascending dosing and repeat dosing with different regimens (QW, Q2W, Q3W and Q4W).

Impact of vaccination against Japanese encephalitis in endemic countries.

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis and a significant cause of disability in Asia and the western Pacific. Many countries have introduced JE vaccination programs, including several low resource countries following WHO's prioritization of JE vaccination in 2006. We sought to characterize the public health impact of JE vaccination programs.

Incidence of Parental Requests to Discontinue Growth-Friendly Surgical Lengthening for Early Onset Scoliosis.

Background: The STOP questionnaire was developed to document reasons for discontinuation of growth-friendly (GF) treatment in early onset scoliosis (EOS). This study investigated the incidence of parental request (PR) on the STOP questionnaire and compared clinical information and Early Onset Scoliosis 24-Item Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) scores of PR patients with those whose parents did not request discontinuation (non-parent request [NPR]).

Materials And Methods: An international pediatric spine registry was queried for EOS patients with STOP questionnaires completed by their surgeon.

Bridging the Gap: Can Large Language Models Match Human Expertise in Writing Neurosurgical Operative Notes?

Background: Proper documentation is essential for patient care. The popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential for improvements in neurosurgical note-writing. This study aimed to assess how AI can optimize documentation in neurosurgical procedures.

The Prevalence of Hip Dysplasia on Radiographs for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Background: During radiographic assessment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), upright images frequently capture the hip. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of radiographic hip dysplasia on postero-anterior (PA) scoliosis radiographs, as defined as a lateral center edge angle (LCEA) ≤25 degrees.

Methods: All patients with upright PA scoliosis radiographs over a one-year study period at a single tertiary academic medical center (2020 to 2021) were included in the study.

The Immunogenomic Landscape of Peripheral High-Dose IL-2 Pharmacodynamics in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Benchmark for Next-Generation IL-2-Based Immunotherapies.

High-dose (HD) IL-2 was the first immuno-oncology agent approved for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma, but its use was limited because of substantial toxicities. Multiple next-generation IL-2 agents are being developed to improve tolerability. However, a knowledge gap still exists for the genomic markers that define the target pharmacology for HD IL-2 itself.

Genotypic and phenotypic consequences of domestication in dogs.

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are genomic regions that arise when two copies of identical haplotypes are inherited from a shared common ancestor. In this study, we leverage ROH to identify associations between genetic diversity and non-disease phenotypes in (dogs). We find significant association between the ROH inbreeding coefficient (F) and several phenotypic traits.

A Machine Learning System to Indicate Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Non-Invasively in Challenging Cases.

Radiologic usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) patterns and concordant clinical characteristics define a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, limited expert access and high inter-clinician variability challenge early and pre-invasive diagnostic sensitivity and differentiation of IPF from other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We investigated a machine learning-driven software system, Fibresolve, to indicate IPF diagnosis in a heterogeneous group of 300 patients with interstitial lung disease work-up in a retrospective analysis of previously and prospectively collected registry data from two US clinical sites.

Migratory schwannoma of the cauda equina with a change in radicular pattern: illustrative case.

Background: Intradural spinal tumors are an uncommon entity with a variety of pathologies and symptom patterns. Few cases reports in the literature have described tumor migration within the spinal canal.

Observations: A 38-year-old male presented with bilateral upper lumbar radicular symptoms of anterior thigh pain, with an enhancing tumor of the cauda equina initially located at L1-2.

A CD25-biased interleukin-2 for autoimmune therapy engineered via a semi-synthetic organism.

Background: Natural cytokines are poorly suited as therapeutics for systemic administration due to suboptimal pharmacological and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) has shown promise for treatment of autoimmune (AI) disorders yet exhibits short systemic half-life and opposing immune responses that negate an appropriate therapeutic index.

Methods: A semi-synthetic microbial technology platform was used to engineer a site-specifically pegylated form of rhIL-2 with enhanced PK, specificity for induction of immune-suppressive regulatory CD4 + T cells (Tregs), and reduced stimulation of off-target effector T and NK cells.

Developmental hematopoietic stem cell variation explains clonal hematopoiesis later in life.

Clonal hematopoiesis becomes increasingly common with age, but its cause is enigmatic because driver mutations are often absent. Serial observations infer weak selection indicating variants are acquired much earlier in life with unexplained initial growth spurts. Here we use fluctuating CpG methylation as a lineage marker to track stem cell clonal dynamics of hematopoiesis.

Minimally Invasive Far Lateral Lumbar Discectomy With Modified Technique: Symptomatic Relief and Intersegmental Stability Study.

Objective: To evaluate the use of a modified minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique for far lateral lumbar discectomy (FLDH) that minimizes the degree of bony drilling required for nerve root decompression, increasing postoperative pain reduction rate with reduced risk of iatrogenic spinal instability.

Summary Of Background Data: FLDH accounts for approximately 10% of all lumbar disc herniations and is increasingly recognized in the era of advanced imaging techniques. These disc herniations typically result in extra-foraminal nerve root compression.

The cost of human papillomavirus vaccination delivery at the administrative and health facility levels in the Philippines.

Background: The World Health Organization has recommended the inclusion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in national immunization programs to address the global problem of cervical cancer. In the Philippines, HPV vaccination was introduced in a phased approach in 2015. This study seeks to estimate the cost of delivery of the HPV vaccination program and its operational context in the Philippines.

Expand and extend postpartum Medicaid to support maternal and child health.

Most early maternal deaths are preventable, with many occurring within the first year postpartum (we use the terms "maternal" and "mother" broadly to include all individuals who experience pregnancy or postpartum and frame our recognition of need and policy recommendations in gender-neutral terms. To acknowledge limitations inherent in existing policy and the composition of samples in prior research, we use the term "women" when applicable). Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals are at the most significant risk of pregnancy-related death.