Newly Designed PCL-Wrapped Cryogel-Based Conduit Activated with IKVAV Peptide Derivative for Peripheral Nerve Repair.

The combination of macroporous cryogels with synthetic peptide factors represents a promising but poorly explored strategy for the development of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffolds for peripheral nerve (PN) repair. In this study, IKVAV peptide was functionalized with terminal lysine residues to allow its in situ cross-linking with gelatin macromer, resulting in the formation of IKVAV-containing proteinaceous cryogels. The controllable inclusion and distribution of the peptide molecules within the scaffold was verified using a fluorescently labelled peptide counterpart.

IgA-Dominant Staphylococcus-Associated Glomerulonephritis: An Uncommon Complication of Intravenous Drug Use.

A 24-year-old female with a history of intravenous heroin use presented with two weeks of chills, myalgias, and cough and was found to be in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Subsequent workup revealed the presence of bilateral septic pulmonary emboli and tricuspid valve endocarditis. Several weeks into her hospitalization, she developed periorbital edema and laboratory testing revealed she had developed acute renal failure and nephrotic range proteinuria.

Treatment Goals of Adolescents and Young Adults for Gender Dysphoria.

Objectives: With this study, we aim to describe transgender and nonbinary adolescents and young adults' stated gender treatment goals at the time of initial presentation to medical care.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of transgender and nonbinary patients aged 10 to 24 seeking specific gender-affirming health care. Charts were reviewed for specifically stated goals of future hormonal or surgical care for gender and analyzed by the experienced or asserted gender (man, woman, nonbinary, eclectic) of participants.

Rural Location of Residence is Not Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Initial Medical Contact for Gender-Related Healthcare.

Purpose: There is very little information available regarding the health needs of transgender and gender diverse adolescents and young adults with gender dysphoria who reside in rural areas of the United States. This study aims to determine if residing in a rural area is associated with the use of telemedicine services, such as synchronous voice-video appointments, for initial contact for medical interventions for gender-related reasons in adolescents and young adults with gender incongruence.

Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of patients (N = 176) ages 10-24 years who had an initial medical appointment for gender-related concerns between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022.

Variation in Care of Well-Appearing Hypothermic Young Infants: A Multisite Study.

Background And Objectives: Numerous decision tools have emerged to guide management of febrile infants, but limited data exist to guide the care of young infants presenting with hypothermia. We evaluated the variation in care for well-appearing hypothermic young infants in the hospital and/or emergency department setting between participating sites.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of well-appearing infants ≤90 days old across 9 academic medical centers from September 1, 2016 to May 5, 2021.

Leading teams while exhausted: Perspectives from healthcare epidemiology and beyond.

Mental fatigue and burnout are concerns for healthcare organizations, but their effects on leaders have not been thoroughly studied. Infectious diseases teams and leaders are at risk for mental fatigue and burnout due to the increased demands from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, additive effects of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (omicron) and δ (delta) variant surges, and unique pre-existing pressures. No single intervention can reduce stress and burnout in healthcare workers.

Associations between diabetes-related distress and predicted cardiovascular complication risks in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Context: Diabetes-related distress (DRD) is experienced by nearly 50% of people with diabetes at any given time in their diagnosis. The effects of low socioeconomic status (SES) and lacking access to resources can increase DRD. In addition, cardiovascular (CV) complications associated with diabetes are associated with higher DRD scores.

Influence of Recombinant Codon-Optimized Plasmid DNA Encoding VEGF and FGF2 on Co-Induction of Angiogenesis.

Several methods for the stimulation of skin wound repair have been proposed over the last few decades. The most promising among them are gene and stem cell therapy. Our present experiments combined several approaches via the application of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCB-MC) that were transfected with pBud-165-2 plasmid (gene-cell therapy) and direct gene therapy using pBud-165-2 plasmid to enhance healing of full thickness skin wounds in rats.

Reliability of functional outcome measures in adults with neurofibromatosis 1.

Objectives: To determine intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of functional outcome measures in adults with neurofibromatosis 1 and to ascertain how closely objective and subjective measures align.

Methods: A total of 49 ambulant adults with neurofibromatosis 1 aged 16 years and over were included in this observational study: median age 31 years (range: 16-66 years), 29 females, 20 males. Participants were video-recorded or photographed performing four functional outcome measures.

Navigating travel with diabetes.

As the number of people who travel continues to increase, so too will the number of travelers with diabetes. This increase will come with new and more frequent requests for medical travel advice. This article equips clinicians with the tools to address patient concerns about travel and to empower patients to be prepared for emergency situations both abroad and at home.

A study investigating the experience of working for people with Parkinson's and the factors that influence workplace success.

Purpose: The experience of working for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to vary substantially and affects the length of time in employment after diagnosis. This study aims at exploring the experience of working for people with PD and to create a model detailing the factors that influence their workplace success.

Method: A qualitative grounded theoretical approach was used.

Evaluation of the impact of a prescribing guideline on the use of intraoperative dexmedetomidine at a tertiary academic medical center.

To evaluate usage patterns of dexmedetomidine in the operating room after implementation of a prescribing guideline. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the impact of a prescribing guideline on usage patterns of dexmedetomidine in the operating room at a tertiary, academic medical center during one-month period pre- (July 2010) and post-guideline (July 2011 and July 2012) implementation. A total of 267 patients received intraoperative dexmedetomidine during the study period.

Novel patient-derived xenograft mouse model for pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma demonstrates single agent activity of oxaliplatin.

Background: Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC) is a rare malignancy, accounting for <1 % of all pancreatic neoplasms. Very few retrospective studies are available to help guide management. We previously reported the case of a patient with metastatic PACC who achieved prolonged survival following doxorubicin treatment.

Noninferiority of Inhaled Epoprostenol to Inhaled Nitric Oxide for the Treatment of ARDS.

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide and inhaled epoprostenol have been evaluated for the management of hypoxemia in acute respiratory distress syndrome, with clinical trials demonstrating comparable improvements in oxygenation. However, these trials have several limitations, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions regarding clinical outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the noninferiority and safety of inhaled epoprostenol compared with inhaled nitric oxide in mechanically ventilated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with a primary outcome of ventilator-free days from day 1 to day 28.

Simultaneous analysis of antiretroviral drugs abacavir and tenofovir in human hair by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and reproducible method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of the key antiretroviral drugs abacavir and tenofovir in hair using LC-MS/MS. The method was validated according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for the parameters: specificity, stability, limits of detection (LOD), limits of quantification (LOQ), linearity, accuracy, precision and recovery. Hair samples (50mg) were decontaminated and subjected to methanolic extraction, where 1 ml methanol was added along with the internal standard abacavir-d4 at a final concentration of 0.

Cost-effectiveness of apixaban compared with warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Apixaban was shown to be superior to adjusted-dose warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and at least one additional risk factor for stroke, and associated with reduced rates of hemorrhage. We sought to determine the cost-effectiveness of using apixaban for stroke prevention.

Methods: Based on the results from the Apixaban Versus Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE) trial and other published studies, we constructed a Markov model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of apixaban versus warfarin from the Medicare perspective.

Understanding how adherence goals promote adherence behaviours: a repeated measure observational study with HIV seropositive patients.

Background: The extent to which patients follow treatments as prescribed is pivotal to treatment success. An exceptionally high level (> 95%) of HIV medication adherence is required to suppress viral replication and protect the immune system and a similarly high level (> 80%) of adherence has also been suggested in order to benefit from prescribed exercise programmes. However, in clinical practice, adherence to both often falls below the desirable level.

Thienopyrimidine-based dual EGFR/ErbB-2 inhibitors.

Two new series of potent and selective dual EGFR/ErbB-2 kinase inhibitors derived from novel thienopyrimidine cores have been identified. Isomeric thienopyrimidine cores were evaluated as isosteres for a 4-anilinoquinazoline core and several analogs containing the thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine core showed anti-proliferative activity with IC(50) values less than 1 microM against human tumor cells in vitro.

Evaluation of lapatinib and topotecan combination therapy: tissue culture, murine xenograft, and phase I clinical trial data.

Purpose: Topotecan resistance can result from drug efflux by P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) as well as survival signals initiated by epidermal growth factor receptor family members. The present studies were done to determine the effect of combining topotecan and the dual epidermal growth factor receptor/HER2 inhibitor lapatinib in tissue culture, a murine xenograft model, and a phase I clinical trial.

Experimental Design: The effects of lapatinib on topotecan accumulation and cytotoxicity in vitro were examined in paired cell lines lacking or expressing Pgp or BCRP.

Synthesis and stereochemical effects of pyrrolidinyl-acetylenic thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines as EGFR and ErbB-2 inhibitors.

A novel class of pyrrolidinyl-acetyleneic thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines has been identified which potently inhibit the EGFR and ErbB-2 receptor tyrosine kinases. Synthetic modifications of the pyrrolidine carbamate moiety result in a range of effects on enzyme and cellular potency. In addition, the impact of the absolute stereochemical configuration on cellular potency and oral mouse pharmacokinetics is described.