Microcirculatory Dysfunction and Its Role in Diagnosing Acute Rejection in Pediatric Heart Transplantation: A Pilot Study.

: Acute rejection remains a major challenge in pediatric heart transplantation (HT), with limited tools for early diagnosis. In adult HT recipients, microcirculatory dysfunction, as measured by the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), has been identified as a potential biomarker of rejection. However, its role in pediatric populations is largely unexplored.

Factors Associated with Healthcare Leaders' Perceived Self-Efficacy During Crises.

Goal: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a lack of healthcare leadership preparedness for a widespread, persistent emergency. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to perceived leadership self-efficacy to better prepare leaders for future crises.

Methods: The researcher conducted an online composite survey (n = 96) of factors affecting perceived leadership self-efficacy from an American College of Healthcare Executives group using a quantitative correlational design with multiple regression analysis.

Altered Monocyte Populations and Activation Marker Expression in Children with Autism and Co-Occurring Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental condition that now impacts 1 in 36 children in the United States and is characterized by deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. Children with ASD also frequently experience co-morbidities including anxiety and ADHD, and up to 80% experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain. Systemic immune activation and dysregulation, including increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, are frequently observed in ASD.

Laser-Induced Photothermal Hydrogels Promote the Proliferation of MC3T3-E1 Preosteoblasts for Enhanced Bone Healing.

The nonunion and delayed union of bones are common challenges in orthopedic surgery, even when bone alignment is correct and sufficient mechanical stability is provided. To address this, artificial bone grafts are often applied to fracture gaps or defect sites to promote osteogenesis and enhance bone healing. In this study, we developed an alginate-based hydrogel incorporating gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to enhance cell proliferation and facilitate bone healing through a photothermal effect induced by near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation.