Amyloidogenic propensity of self-assembling peptides and their adjuvant potential for use as DNA vaccines.

De novo designed peptides that self-assemble into cross-β rich fibrillar biomaterials have been pursued as an innovative platform for the development of adjuvant- and inflammation-free vaccines. However, they share structural and morphological properties similar to amyloid species implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, which has been a long-standing concern for their successful translation. Here, we comprehensively characterize the amyloidogenic character of the amphipathic self-assembling cross-β peptide KFE, compared to pathological amyloid and amyloid-like proteins α-synuclein (α-syn) and TDP-43.

A Proteomics Investigation of Salivary Profiles as Potential Biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 1/68 children, with a more recent study suggesting numbers as high as 1/36. According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the etiology of ASD is unknown and diagnosis of this disorder is behavioral. There is currently no biomarker signature for ASD, however, identifying a biomarker signature is crucial as it would aid in diagnosis, identifying treatment targets, monitoring treatments, and identifying the etiology of the disorder.

Evidence of impaired functional sympatholysis in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Exercising muscle blood flow is reduced in patients with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which may be related to disease-related changes in the ability to overcome sympathetic nervous system (SNS)-mediated vasoconstriction during exercise, (i.e., "functional sympatholysis").

Physicians' Perspectives on Their Training for and Role Within Pennsylvania's Medical Cannabis Program.

Background: Physicians' ability to guide their patients on the use of medical cannabis can vary widely and is often shaped by their training, experiences, and the regulations and policies of their state. The goal of this qualitative study is to understand how prepared physicians are to certify and advise their patients to use medical cannabis. A secondary goal is to explore how physicians integrate certification into their clinical practices, and what factors shape their decisions and behaviors around certification.

Monitoring Practices After Pediatric Liver Transplantation.

Objectives: This study sought to understand the current monitoring practices after pediatric liver transplantation (LT), specifically regarding follow-up clinic visits, outpatient laboratory testing, protocol biopsies, and diagnostic imaging, and to identify potential center and provider characteristics associated with such practices.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of pediatric LT providers at centers participating in the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) registry was conducted from February 2020 to April 2021.

Results: The overall response rate was 79% (38/48 SPLIT centers), with the majority representing large volume centers (>10 LTs per year).

Erector spinae plane blocks for analgesia after percutaneous nephrolithotomy A pathway to reduce opioids.

Introduction: Despite its minimally invasive nature, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL ) may be associated with significant pain. Challenges in pain control may prevent timely discharge (and expose patients to adverse effects of opioid use). We sought to evaluate whether our patients who underwent erector spinae plane (ESP) regional blocks experienced improved postoperative pain control and decreased opioid use after PCNL (compared with those who did not receive blocks).

Socio-Demographic, Lifestyle, and Clinical Characteristics of Early and Later Weight Status in Older Adults: Secondary Analysis of the ASPREE Trial and ALSOP Sub-Study.

Objective: To identify the socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics associated with self-reported weight status in early (age 18 years) and late (age ≥ 70 years) adulthood.

Methods: The number of participants was 11,288, who were relatively healthy community-dwelling Australian adults aged ≥70 years (mean age 75.1 ± 4.

Adverse events in older adults and the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that stress could be a risk factor for dementia but this might vary by gender. This study investigated whether adverse life events were associated with cognitive decline and dementia in later-life, separately in men and women.

Methods: Participants were 12,789 community-dwelling Australians aged ≥ 70 years.

Interventions for improving adherence to airway clearance treatment and exercise in people with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-limiting genetic disorder predominantly affecting the lungs and pancreas. Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) and exercise therapy are key components of physiotherapy, which is considered integral in managing CF; however, low adherence is well-documented. Poor physiotherapy adherence may lead to repeated respiratory infections, reduced exercise tolerance, breathlessness, reduced quality of life, malaise and reduced life expectancy, as well as increased use of pharmacology, healthcare access and hospital admission.

Lifestyle Enrichment in Later Life and Its Association With Dementia Risk.

Importance: Lifestyles enriched with socially and mentally stimulating activities in older age may help build cognitive reserve and reduce dementia risk.

Objective: To investigate the association of leisure activities and social networks with dementia risk among older individuals.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This longitudinal prospective cohort study used population-based data from the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) for March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2020.

Inhibiting Isoprenylation Suppresses FcεRI-Mediated Mast Cell Function and Allergic Inflammation.

IgE-mediated mast cell activation is a driving force in allergic disease in need of novel interventions. Statins, long used to lower serum cholesterol, have been shown in multiple large-cohort studies to reduce asthma severity. We previously found that statins inhibit IgE-induced mast cell function, but these effects varied widely among mouse strains and human donors, likely due to the upregulation of the statin target, 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl-CoA reductase.

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis treated with endovascular embolization.

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare complication of acute cholecystitis. Traditionally, treatment has been with emergency cholecystectomy. Endovascular management of haemorrhage allows the patient to be optimized for surgery at a later date.

Guiding principles for technical infrastructure to support computable biomedical knowledge.

Over the past 4 years, the authors have participated as members of the Mobilizing Computable Biomedical Knowledge Technical Infrastructure working group and focused on conceptualizing the infrastructure required to use computable biomedical knowledge. Here, we summarize our thoughts and lay the foundation for future work in the development of CBK infrastructure, including: explaining the difference between computable knowledge and data, and contextualizing the conversation with the Learning Health Systems and the FAIR principles. Specifically, we provide three guiding principles to advance the development of CBK infrastructure: (a) Promote interoperable systems for data and knowledge to be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.

A comprehensive examination of the evidence for whole of diet patterns in Parkinson's disease: a scoping review.

Both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurological condition, have broad-ranging impacts on nutritional intake and dietary behaviour. Historically studies focused on individual dietary components, but evidence demonstrating ameliorative outcomes with whole-of-diet patterns such as Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) is emerging. These diets provide plenty of antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables, nuts, wholegrains and healthy fats.

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Model to Identify Patients Before Surgery at High Risk for Postoperative Adverse Events.

Importance: Identifying patients at high risk of adverse outcomes prior to surgery may allow for interventions associated with improved postoperative outcomes; however, few tools exist for automated prediction.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of an automated machine-learning model in the identification of patients at high risk of adverse outcomes from surgery using only data in the electronic health record.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prognostic study was conducted among 1 477 561 patients undergoing surgery at 20 community and tertiary care hospitals in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) health network.

Using smart phone technology to improve daily living skills for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities need continued supports in completing daily living tasks to increase the likelihood of achieving independence. Fortunately, research has shown that assistive technology, and particularly video prompting helps support independent living for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Aims: This study investigated the efficacy of a highly customizable task analysis smartphone application in assisting three young adults with intellectual disabilities learn how to cook three different multistep recipes.

The impact of drug palatability on prescribing and dispensing of antibiotic formulations for paediatric patients: a cross-sectional survey of general practitioners and pharmacists.

Background: Palatability is a key element of paediatric acceptability for medicines. Many patient and drug factors are considered when choosing an antibiotic for a child. Pharmacists report that they receive questions about the palatability of oral liquid antibiotics for children.

The Feasibility of Quality Assurance in the TOPGEAR International Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Gastric Cancer (an Intergroup Trial of the AGITG/TROG/NHMRC CTC/EORTC/CCTG).

Purpose: The TOPGEAR phase 3 trial hypothesized that adding preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) to perioperative chemotherapy will improve survival in patients with gastric cancer. Owing to the complexity of gastric irradiation, a comprehensive radiation therapy quality assurance (RTQA) program was implemented. Our objective is to describe the RTQA methods and outcomes.