Mutations that prevent phosphorylation of the BMP4 prodomain impair proteolytic maturation of homodimers leading to early lethality in mice.

Bone morphogenetic protein4 (BMP4) plays numerous roles during embryogenesis and can signal either as a homodimer, or as a more active BMP4/7 heterodimer. BMPs are generated as inactive precursor proteins that dimerize and are cleaved to generate the bioactive ligand and inactive prodomain fragments. In humans, heterozygous mutations within the prodomain of BMP4 are associated with birth defects.

Impact of a 6-12-h delay between ileocolic intussusception diagnostic US and fluoroscopic reduction on patients' outcomes.

Background: Image-guided reduction of intussusception is considered a radiologic urgency requiring 24-h radiologist and technologist availability.

Objective: To assess whether a delay of 6-12 h between US diagnosis and fluoroscopic reduction of ileocolic intussusception affects the success frequency of fluoroscopic reduction.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of 0-5-year-olds undergoing fluoroscopic reduction for ileocolic intussusception from 2013 to 2023.

Quality and Diagnosis on the Lateral View of Pediatric Upper Gastro-Intestinal Series.

Background: The standard imaging technique for the diagnosis of intestinal malrotation remains the upper gastro-intestinal series (UGIS). The lateral view is promoted as important for making a diagnosis. For this, the lateral view should be of adequate quality, and radiologists must know the normal appearance as well as the appearance of duodenal variants, as misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary surgery.

Imaging Stewardship: Triage for Neuroradiology MR During Limited-Resource Hours.

Objectives: To decrease call burden on pediatric neuroradiologists, we developed guidelines for appropriate use of MR overnight. These guidelines were implemented using triage by in-house generalist pediatric radiologists. Process measures and balancing measures were assessed during implementation.

Evaluation of the Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Dynamics with Microvascular Imaging Ultrasound in Infants.

Purpose: Microvascular imaging ultrasound (MVI) can detect slow blood flow in small-caliber cerebral vessels. This technology may help assess flow in other intracranial structures, such as the ventricular system. In this study, we describe the use of MVI for characterizing intraventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics in infants.

Utility of Cerebral Microvascular Imaging in Infants Undergoing ECMO.

Purpose: Infants who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy have an increased risk of neurological complications and mortality. Microvascular imaging (MVI) is an advanced Doppler technique that allows high-resolution visualization of microvasculature in the brain. We describe the feasibility and utility of MVI for the evaluation of cerebral microvascular perfusion in patients undergoing ECMO.

Frequency of duodenal anatomical variants in neonatal and pediatric upper gastrointestinal tract series (UGI) and the influence of exam quality on diagnostic reporting of these.

Aim: To determine frequency of duodenal anatomical variants on clinically indicated pediatric UGI examinations and determine the influence of these variants and exam quality on the reliability of diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: Two-pediatric radiologists retrospectively reviewed 100-UGI exams performed on children ≤18-years. Exams were considered diagnostic if the duodenojejunal (DJ) flexure was identified.

The role of ultrasound in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Ultrasound has proved to be a useful modality for enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of necrotizing enterocolitis and associated complications. The standard imaging algorithm for evaluating necrotizing enterocolitis includes radiographs and clinical symptoms, the combination of which constitutes the Bell criteria. Major limitations of using the Bell criteria for diagnosing and clinically managing necrotizing enterocolitis include low diagnostic accuracy of radiographs and nonspecific symptomatology of preterm infants.

Artificial Intelligence Algorithm Improves Radiologist Performance in Skeletal Age Assessment: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Previous studies suggest that use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms as diagnostic aids may improve the quality of skeletal age assessment, though these studies lack evidence from clinical practice. Purpose To compare the accuracy and interpretation time of skeletal age assessment on hand radiograph examinations with and without the use of an AI algorithm as a diagnostic aid. Materials and Methods In this prospective randomized controlled trial, the accuracy of skeletal age assessment on hand radiograph examinations was performed with ( = 792) and without ( = 739) the AI algorithm as a diagnostic aid.

Clinical and radiological characteristics of e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury.

Purpose: E-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI) has received national attention as an epidemic resulting in cases of significant morbidity and mortality. We aim to present the clinical and imaging findings in adolescents with pulmonary symptoms from suspected EVALI.

Methods: Chest radiographs and CTs of adolescents (< 19 years) with acute pulmonary symptoms and history of vaping were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus.

Improved Diagnostic Sensitivity of Bowel Disease of Prematurity on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound.

Bowel diseases of prematurity, including necrotizing enterocolitis, are dreaded ailments of neonates. Early diagnosis is difficult, with clinical and radiographic findings often inconclusive. We present a novel use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in detection of pediatric bowel disease.

Monoclonal TCR-redirected tumor cell killing.

T cell immunity can potentially eradicate malignant cells and lead to clinical remission in a minority of patients with cancer. In the majority of these individuals, however, there is a failure of the specific T cell receptor (TCR)–mediated immune recognition and activation process. Here we describe the engineering and characterization of new reagents termed immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTACs).

High affinity soluble ILT2 receptor: a potent inhibitor of CD8(+) T cell activation.

Using directed mutagenesis and phage display on a soluble fragment of the human immunoglobulin super-family receptor ILT2 (synonyms: LIR1, MIR7, CD85j), we have selected a range of mutants with binding affinities enhanced by up to 168,000-fold towards the conserved region of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Produced in a dimeric form, either by chemical cross-linking with bivalent polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives or as a genetic fusion with human IgG Fc-fragment, the mutants exhibited a further increase in ligand-binding strength due to the avidity effect, with resident half-times (t(1/2)) on the surface of MHC I-positive cells of many hours. The novel compounds antagonized the interaction of CD8 co-receptor with MHC I in vitro without affecting the peptide-specific binding of T-cell receptors (TCRs).

Evaluation of coping resources and self-esteem as moderators of the relationship between threat appraisals and avoidance of activities after traumatic brain injury.

It is not uncommon for people after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to develop anxieties about possible negative outcomes (i.e., threat appraisals) in relation to participating in valued activities.

Understanding perceptions of injury risk associated with playing junior cricket.

Preventing sports injuries in children is important, but there is limited information about children's perceptions of injury risk or their injury beliefs and attitudes. This study investigated injury risk perceptions in a sample of junior sports participants across different age levels of play. Junior cricket players (n=284, aged 8-16) completed a survey about their injury risk perceptions.

Fielders and batters are injured too: a prospective cohort study of injuries in junior club cricket.

Internationally, there is a lack of good quality, prospectively collected injury data reported for junior club cricketers. This study describes injury rates according to age level of play and playing positions in junior community-level club cricketers to identify priorities for prevention. A prospective cohort study was used to monitor injuries in 88 under 12 years (U12), 203 U14 and 120 U16 players from the Ballarat Junior Cricket Association, Australia over the 2007/2008 playing season.

Preferences for outcomes of treatment for rectal cancer: patient and clinician utilities and their application in an interactive computer-based decision aid.

Purpose: To quantify the importance that patients and clinicians assign to specific quality-of-life outcomes associated with the treatment of rectal cancer and to demonstrate a clinical application of these data in a computer-based multidimension decision aid (Annalisa).

Methods: For patients, a researcher-administered questionnaire using the time trade-off method was used to quantify the importance of nine outcomes. Information was ascertained from clinicians by use of a self-administered questionnaire.

Development and feasibility assessment of telephone-delivered supportive care to improve outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer: pilot study of the CONNECT intervention.

Goals Of Work: This study aims to describe a pilot study of the feasibility, acceptability and likely impact of a nurse-delivered, telephone intervention to reduce unmet need and improve quality of life for surgical patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: The CONNECT intervention comprises five standardised calls over 6 months commencing on day 3 post-discharge. A prospective non-randomised control trial with patients who had surgery for colorectal cancer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney between July and December 2006 was conducted.

Throwing workload and injury risk in elite cricketers.

Objective: To investigate the risk between throwing workload and upper limb injury in elite cricketers.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Elite Australian cricket.

Soft landings: encouraging compliance with safety standards in Local Government Authority playgrounds.

Issues Addressed: Consistent with health promotion principles of good practice, addressing playground injury necessitates the creation of a supportive environment for the enhancement of wellbeing and the prevention of injuries. This study aims to survey local governments to: determine compliance with playground safety standards; establish frequency of playground inspections and maintenance; and identify motivators and barriers to compliance with safety standards.

Methods: A survey of key informants for playground safety in all 152 local government councils in New South Wales (NSW) was undertaken.

Fast bowlers in cricket demonstrate up to 3- to 4-week delay between high workloads and increased risk of injury.

Background: Limited research in cricket bowlers and baseball pitchers has shown a correlation between workload and injury risk.

Hypothesis: Acute high bowling workload in cricket leads to increased risk of bowling injury in future matches.

Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2.

The reliability of musculoskeletal screening tests used in cricket.

Objectives: To determine the inter- and intra-observer reliability of a field-based musculoskeletal screening protocol used to measure potential injury risk factors in cricket fast bowlers.

Design: Test-retest reliability study.

Setting: High performance Australian cricket.

A potent mechanism-inspired O-GlcNAcase inhibitor that blocks phosphorylation of tau in vivo.

Pathological hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the associated tauopathies. The reciprocal relationship between phosphorylation and O-GlcNAc modification of tau and reductions in O-GlcNAc levels on tau in AD brain offers motivation for the generation of potent and selective inhibitors that can effectively enhance O-GlcNAc in vertebrate brain. We describe the rational design and synthesis of such an inhibitor (thiamet-G, K(i) = 21 nM; 1) of human O-GlcNAcase.

A 1-acetamido derivative of 6-epi-valienamine: an inhibitor of a diverse group of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases.

The synthesis of an analogue of 6-epi-valienamine bearing an acetamido group and its characterisation as an inhibitor of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases are described. The compound is a good inhibitor of both human O-GlcNAcase and human beta-hexosaminidase, as well as two bacterial beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases. A 3-D structure of the complex of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron BtGH84 with the inhibitor shows the unsaturated ring is surprisingly distorted away from its favoured solution phase conformation and reveals potential for improved inhibitor potency.