Gout flares after stopping anti-inflammatory prophylaxis: a rapid literature review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of this research was to determine how common gout flares are after ceasing anti-inflammatory prophylaxis.

Methods: A rapid literature review and meta-analysis were undertaken. PubMed was searched from inception to February 2024.

Metastatic organotropism in small cell lung cancer.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most metastatic form of lung cancer, with most patients presenting with widespread disease, making it an ideal model for studying metastasis. However, the lack of suitable preclinical models has limited such studies.

N-terminal tags impair the ability of Lamin A to provide structural support to the nucleus.

Lamins are intermediate filament proteins that contribute to numerous cellular functions, including nuclear morphology and mechanical stability. The N-terminal head domain of lamin is critical for higher order filament assembly and function, yet the effects of commonly used N-terminal tags on lamin function remain largely unexplored. Here, we systematically studied the effect of two differently sized tags on Lamin A (LaA) function in a mammalian cell model engineered to allow for precise control of expression of tagged lamin proteins.

Clinical Coxiella burnetii infection in sable and roan antelope in South Africa.

Various zoonotic microorganisms cause reproductive problems such as abortions and stillbirths, leading to economic losses on farms, particularly within livestock. In South Africa, bovine brucellosis is endemic in cattle, and from 2013-2018, outbreaks of Brucella melitensis occurred in sable. Coxiella burnetii, the agent responsible for the zoonotic disease known as Q-fever and/or coxiellosis, also causes reproductive problems and infects multiple domestic animal species worldwide, including humans.

N-terminal tags impair the ability of lamin A to provide structural support to the nucleus.

Lamins are intermediate filament proteins that contribute to numerous cellular functions, including nuclear morphology and mechanical stability. The N-terminal head domain of lamin is crucial for higher order filament assembly and function, yet the effects of commonly used N-terminal tags on lamin function remain largely unexplored. Here, we systematically studied the effect of two differently sized tags on lamin A (LaA) function in a mammalian cell model engineered to allow for precise control of expression of tagged lamin proteins.

Efficacy and Safety of Allopurinol and Febuxostat in Patients With Gout and CKD: Subgroup Analysis of the STOP Gout Trial.

Rationale & Objective: We conducted a prespecified examination of the efficacy and safety of allopurinol and febuxostat administered using a treat-to-target strategy in trial participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Study Design: Prespecified subcohort analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Setting & Participants: A substudy of the STOP Gout Trial in participants with CKD.

Infection Is Not Associated With Plasma or Cryoprecipitate Transfusion Volumes in Trauma: A Retrospective Study Using the National Trauma Data Bank.

Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion has been shown to increase nosocomial infection risk in the injured population; however, the post-traumatic infectious risk profiles of non-PRBC blood products are less clear. We hypothesized that plasma (fresh frozen plasma [FFP]), platelet (PLT), and cryoprecipitate administration would not be associated with increased rates of nosocomial infections. We performed a retrospective, matched, case-control study utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank data for 2019.

Desirability of Outcome Ranking and Response Adjusted for Antibiotic Risk (DOOR/RADAR) Post Hoc Analysis Supports Equipoise for Antibiotic Initiation Strategies in Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Pneumonia.

Pneumonia is the most common intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection and source of potential sepsis in ICU populations but can be difficult to diagnose in real-time. Despite limited data, rapid initiation of antibiotic agents is endorsed by society guidelines. We hypothesized that a post hoc analysis of a recent randomized pilot study would show no difference between two antibiotic initiation strategies.

Sustained xanthine oxidase inhibitor treat to target urate lowering therapy rewires a tight inflammation serum protein interactome.

Background: Effective xanthine oxidoreductase inhibition (XOI) urate-lowering treatment (ULT) to target significantly reduces gout flare burden and synovitis between 1-2 years therapy, without clearing all monosodium urate crystal deposits. Paradoxically, treat to target ULT is associated with increased flare activity for at least 1 year in duration on average, before gout flare burden decreases. Since XOI has anti-inflammatory effects, we tested for biomarkers of sustained, effective ULT that alters gouty inflammation.

Provider Perceptions of Antibiotic Initiation Strategies for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.

The practice of rapidly initiating antibiotic therapy for patients with suspected infection has recently been criticized yet remains commonplace. Provider comfort level has been an understudied aspect of this practice. We hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in provider comfort level between the two treatment groups.

Lower body mass and lower adiposity are associated with differential responses to two treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose: To determine if body mass index (BMI) and adipokine levels identify rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients most likely to benefit from initiation of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) after methotrexate inadequate response.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Comparison of Active Treatments (RACAT) trial and the (TEAR) trial. Both studies compared treatment strategies starting with conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (triple therapy) versus etanercept plus methotrexate.

Heterologous expression of NE81 in mouse embryo fibroblasts reveals conserved mechanoprotective roles of lamins.

Lamins are nuclear intermediate filament proteins that are ubiquitously found in metazoan cells, where they contribute to nuclear morphology, stability, and gene expression. Lamin-like sequences have recently been identified in distantly related eukaryotes, but it remains unclear whether these proteins share conserved functions with the lamins found in metazoans. Here, we investigate conserved features between metazoan and amoebozoan lamins using a genetic complementation system to express the lamin-like protein NE81 in mammalian cells lacking either specific lamins or all endogenous lamins.

Assessing Second Debridement Timing and Mortality in Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

Background: Patients with necrotizing soft tissue infection undergo an average of 4-5 debridements per hospital admission. Optimal timing for initial debridement is emergent. Second debridement is universally recommended to occur within 24 hours of the first, but no studies have successfully evaluated this time frame.

Lamins as structural nuclear elements through evolution.

Lamins are nuclear intermediate filament proteins with important, well-established roles in humans and other vertebrates. Lamins interact with DNA and numerous proteins at the nuclear envelope to determine the mechanical properties of the nucleus, coordinate chromatin organization, and modulate gene expression. Many of these functions are conserved in the lamin homologs found in basal metazoan organisms, including Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans.

Determinants of Achieving Serum Urate Goal with Treat-to-Target Urate-Lowering Therapy in Gout.

Objective: Using trial data comparing treat-to-target allopurinol and febuxostat in gout, we examined participant characteristics associated with serum urate (SU) goal achievement.

Methods: Participants with gout and SU ≥6.8 mg/dL were randomized to allopurinol or febuxostat, titrated during weeks 0 to 24, and maintained weeks 25 to 48.

Asset Protection for Dermatologists: An Overview on Shielding Wealth from Potential Liability.

The reality of dermatology practice in the 21st century includes the potential for lawsuits and liability. While medical malpractice may be top-of-mind, there are a host of liability risks beyond malpractice-from employee claims and fiduciary liability for the practice retirement plan to premises liability and HIPAA violations-as well as potential personal liability for rental properties, car accidents (for self and children), outside businesses, personal guarantees and more. This article outlines the leading tools dermatologists can utilize to better shield their assets from potential liability-including exempt assets, co-ownership forms, and legal tools, such as limited liability companies and trusts.

First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment.

The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment is a dark matter detector centered on a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, USA. This Letter reports results from LUX-ZEPLIN's first search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with an exposure of 60 live days using a fiducial mass of 5.5 t.

Heterologous expression of NE81 in mouse embryo fibroblasts reveals conserved mechanoprotective roles of lamins.

Lamins are nuclear intermediate filament proteins that are ubiquitously found in metazoan cells, where they contribute to nuclear morphology, stability, and gene expression. Lamin-like sequences have recently been identified in distantly related eukaryotes, but it remains unclear if these proteins share conserved functions with the lamins found in metazoans. Here, we investigate conserved features between metazoan and amoebozoan lamins using a genetic complementation system to express the lamin-like protein NE81 in mammalian cells lacking either specific lamins or all endogenous lamins.

Implementing Smartphone Tutorials for Patients With Severe Glaucoma.

Purpose The purpose of the study is to determine if instructional videos detailing the use of smartphone accessibility features may be used to improve quality of life and comfort with phone usage among patients with severe glaucoma. Design The design of the present study is an interventional case series. Methods The patients with vision loss due to severe glaucoma were recruited from one institution.