The Role of Adverse Childhood Experience in the Relationship Between Autism Severity and Early Intervention and Special Education Plan.

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity and having a special education or early intervention plan and the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on this association. This study used the 2020-2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and included 2,537 children aged 3-17 years old who currently have ASD. Multivariable logistic regression, controlling for demographic and family characteristics and health status, was used to explore the association between autism severity and having an early intervention plan.

A Pilot Study Investigating the Use of Serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein to Monitor Changes in Brain White Matter Integrity After Repetitive Head Hits During a Single Collegiate Football Game.

Repetitive head hits (RHHs) in sports and military settings are increasingly recognized as a risk factor for adverse neurological outcomes, but they are not currently tracked. Blood-based biomarkers of concussion have recently been shown to increase after nonconcussive RHHs during a single sporting contest, raising the possibility that they could be used in real time to monitor the brain's early response to repeated asymptomatic head hits. To test this hypothesis, we measured GFAP in serum immediately before (T0), immediately after (T1) and 45 min (T2) after a single collegiate football game in 30 athletes.

Blockade of Discoidin Domain Receptor Signaling with Sitravatinib Reveals DDR2 as a Mediator of Neuroblastoma Pathogenesis and Metastasis.

Oncogene-driven expression and activation of receptor tyrosine kinases promotes tumorigenesis and contributes to drug resistance. Increased expression of the kinases discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), RET Proto-Oncogene (RET), Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha (PDGFRA), KIT Proto-Oncogene (KIT), MET Proto-Oncogene (MET), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) independently correlate with decreased overall survival and event free survival of pediatric neuroblastoma. The multikinase inhibitor sitravatinib targets DDR2, RET, PDGFRA, KIT, and MET with low nanomolar activity and we therefore tested its efficacy against orthotopic and syngeneic tumor models.

DDR2 signaling and mechanosensing orchestrate neuroblastoma cell fate through different transcriptome mechanisms.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates carcinogenesis by interacting with cancer cells via cell surface receptors. Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 (DDR2) is a collagen-activated receptor implicated in cell survival, growth, and differentiation. Dysregulated DDR2 expression has been identified in various cancer types, making it as a promising therapeutic target.

A Novel Druggable Dual-Specificity tYrosine-Regulated Kinase3/Calmodulin Kinase-like Vesicle-Associated Signaling Module with Therapeutic Implications in Neuroblastoma.

High-risk neuroblastoma is a very aggressive pediatric cancer, accounting for ~15% of childhood cancer mortality. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of neuroblastoma are urgently sought. Here, we focused on the potential implications of the Dual-specificity tYrosine-Regulated Kinase (DYRK) family and downstream signaling pathways.

RUN(X) out of blood: emerging RUNX1 functions beyond hematopoiesis and links to Down syndrome.

Background: RUNX1 is a transcription factor and a master regulator for the specification of the hematopoietic lineage during embryogenesis and postnatal megakaryopoiesis. Mutations and rearrangements on RUNX1 are key drivers of hematological malignancies. In humans, this gene is localized to the 'Down syndrome critical region' of chromosome 21, triplication of which is necessary and sufficient for most phenotypes that characterize Trisomy 21.

Lifestyle Interventions with Mind-Body or Stress-Management Practices for Cancer Survivors: A Rapid Review.

This rapid review examined current evidence on lifestyle interventions with stress-management or mind-body practices that assessed dietary and/or physical activity outcomes among cancer survivors. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO based on Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group rapid review recommendations using the keywords "diet," "physical activity," "mind-body," "stress," and "intervention." Of the 3624 articles identified from the initial search, 100 full-text articles were screened, and 33 articles met the inclusion criteria.

Dose-consistent dynamic SPECT.

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) values measured by dynamic SPECT systems are typically consistent with other modalities (e.g., PET).

Effects of Physical Exertion on Early Changes in Blood-Based Brain Biomarkers: Implications for the Acute Point of Care Diagnosis of Concussion.

Blood-based brain biomarkers (BBM) such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) have potential to aid in the diagnosis of concussion. Recently developed point-of-care test devices would enable BBMs to be measured in field settings such military and sport environments within minutes of a suspicious head hit. However, head hits in these environments typically occur in the setting of vigorous physical exertion, which can itself increase BBMs levels.

PRMT5 activates AKT via methylation to promote tumor metastasis.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is the primary methyltransferase generating symmetric-dimethyl-arginine marks on histone and non-histone proteins. PRMT5 dysregulation is implicated in multiple oncogenic processes. Here, we report that PRMT5-mediated methylation of protein kinase B (AKT) is required for its subsequent phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473.

Anthropomorphic cardiac phantom for dynamic SPECT.

As myocardial blood flow measurement (MBF) in SPECT systems became recently available, significant effort has been devoted to its validation. For that purpose, we have developed a cardiac phantom that is able to mimic physiological radiotracer variation in the left ventricle cavity and in the myocardium, while performing beating-like motion. The new phantom is integrated inside a standard anthropomorphic torso allowing a realistic tissue attenuation and gamma-ray scattering METHODS AND RESULTS: A mechanical cardiac phantom was integrated in a commercially available anthropomorphic torso.

Brief Report: Use of Remnant Specimens to Assess Use of HIV PrEP Among Populations With Risk of HIV Infection: A Novel Approach.

Background: HIV-uninfected persons being evaluated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be good HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) candidates. We measured PrEP use in a sentinel STI patient population.

Design: Cross-sectional study, New York City Sexual Health Clinics (January 2019-June 2019).

Systematic review of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily in neuroblastoma pathophysiology.

Background: Neuroblastoma is a devastating disease accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Yet, our understanding of key molecular drivers such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in this pathology remains poorly clarified. Here, we provide a systematic analysis of the RTK superfamily in the context of neuroblastoma pathogenesis.

Poor outcome among patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging with intermediate-zone troponin.

Background: Intermediate zone troponin elevation is defined as one to five times the upper limit of normal. Approximately half the patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency department have initial intermediate zone troponin.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the long-term outcome of patients hospitalized with chest pain and intermediate zone troponin elevation.

Early post-stress decrease in cardiac performance by impedance cardiography and its relationship to the severity and extent of ischemia by myocardial perfusion imaging.

Background: While single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a well-established noninvasive procedure for the evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), it is unable to detect the presence of, or underestimates the extent of CAD in certain patients. We aimed to show that a bio-impedance device can detect early post-stress changes in several hemodynamic parameters, thereby serving as a potential marker for the presence of significant ischemia.

Methods: Prospectively enrolled patients, referred to our Medical Center for clinically-indicated MPI, underwent testing using a Non-Invasive Cardiac System (NICaS) before and immediately after exercise.

A new cardiac phantom for dynamic SPECT.

Background: In recent years, with the advance of myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurement capability in dynamic single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) systems, significant effort has been devoted to validation of the new capability. Unfortunately, the mechanical phantoms available for the validation process lack essential features-they either have a constant radiotracer concentration or they have rigid (static) walls unable to simulate cardiac beating.

Methods And Results: We have developed a mechanical cardiac phantom that is able to mimic physiological radiotracer variation in the left ventricle (LV) cavity and in the myocardium (M), while performing beating-like motion.

Detection Of Mutations In The Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Genes (IDH1/IDH2) Using castPCR In Patients With AML And Their Clinical Impact In Mexico City.

Objective: Approximately 40-50% of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) have been reported to present with a normal karyotype and a variable disease-free period, most likely due to the molecular heterogeneity presented by these patients. A variety of mutations have been identified at the molecular level, such as those in the IDH1/2 gene, which causes a gain of function of the isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme, generating high levels of the (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate oncometabolite, which competitively inhibits dioxygenase enzymes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of IDH1/2 gene mutations in AML patients and their impact on survival.

DYRK1A Kinase Positively Regulates Angiogenic Responses in Endothelial Cells.

Angiogenesis is a highly regulated process essential for organ development and maintenance, and its deregulation contributes to inflammation, cardiac disorders, and cancer. The Ca/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signaling pathway is central to endothelial cell angiogenic responses, and it is activated by stimuli like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A. NFAT phosphorylation by dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRKs) is thought to be an inactivating event.

Functionalized Self-Assembled Monolayers Bearing Diiminate Complexes Immobilized through Covalently Anchored Ligands.

The application of synthetic organic chemistry to the surface chemistry of monolayer arrays adds a novel dimension to the power of these systems for surface modification. This paper describes the elaboration of simple functionalized monolayers into dialdimine and dialdiminate ligands tethered to the monolayer surface. These ligands are then used to coordinate metal ions in an effort to form diiminate complexes with control over their environment and orientation.

A novel heart rate variability algorithm for the detection of myocardial ischemia: pilot data from a prospective clinical trial.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been shown to be a predictor of sudden cardiac death and all-cause mortality in patients with cardiac disease.

Objectives: To examine whether newer HRV analysis algorithms, as used by the HeartTrends device, are superior to exercise stress testing (EST) for the detection of myocardial ischemia in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We present pilot data of the first 100 subjects enrolled in a clinical trial designed to evaluate the yield of short-term (1 hour) HRV testing for the detection of myocardial ischemia.

Comparison of the usefulness of heart rate variability versus exercise stress testing for the detection of myocardial ischemia in patients without known coronary artery disease.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to be attenuated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and may, therefore, be possibly used for the early detection of myocardial ischemia. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of a novel short-term HRV algorithm for the detection of myocardial ischemia in subjects without known CAD. We prospectively enrolled 450 subjects without known CAD who were referred to tertiary medical centers for exercise stress testing (EST) with single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

Persistent, long-term cerebral white matter changes after sports-related repetitive head impacts.

Introduction: Repetitive head impacts (RHI) sustained in contact sports are thought to be necessary for the long-term development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Our objectives were to: 1) characterize the magnitude and persistence of RHI-induced white matter (WM) changes; 2) determine their relationship to kinematic measures of RHI; and 3) explore their clinical relevance.

Methods: Prospective, observational study of 10 Division III college football players and 5 non-athlete controls during the 2011-12 season.

Subject-specific increases in serum S-100B distinguish sports-related concussion from sports-related exertion.

Background: The on-field diagnosis of sports-related concussion (SRC) is complicated by the lack of an accurate and objective marker of brain injury.

Purpose: To compare subject-specific changes in the astroglial protein, S100B, before and after SRC among collegiate and semi-professional contact sport athletes, and compare these changes to differences in S100B before and after non-contact exertion.

Study Design: Longitudinal cohort study.