Molecular profiling of frontal and occipital subcortical white matter hyperintensities in Alzheimer's disease.

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are commonly detected on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, occurring in both typical aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite their frequent appearance and their association with cognitive decline in AD, the molecular factors contributing to WMHs remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the transcriptomic profiles of two commonly affected brain regions with coincident AD pathology-frontal subcortical white matter (frontal-WM) and occipital subcortical white matter (occipital-WM)-and compared with age-matched cognitively intact controls.

A comparative analysis in monitoring 24-hour urinary copper in wilson disease: sampling on or off treatment?

Background & Aim: Twenty-four-hour urinary copper excretion (24 h-UCE) is the standard diagnostic tool for dose adjustments in maintenance therapy in Wilson disease (WD) patients. Guidelines lack data if both variants of 24 h-UCE measurement (with or without 48 h of treatment interruption) are equally interpretable.

Methods: Eighty-four patients with a confirmed diagnosis of WD treated with chelators (50% of patients with D-Penicillamine and 50% with trientine) and with pairwise 24-h-UCE values on-therapy and off-therapy were included in the analysis.

Advanced paranasal sinuses osteomas: a retrospective multicentric analysis on surgical management outcomes and intra- and postsurgical complications.

Background: This study examines the management and outcomes of large paranasal sinus osteomas (PSO), especially those abutting or encasing critical structures of the skull base and orbit.

Methodology: A multicentric retrospective analysis was conducted between June 2007 and September 2023. The study included surgically treated (regardless the type of approach chosen) PSO, exceeding 3 cm in diameter and/or located in critical anatomical areas.

Modeling in Nursing: A Handbook Template for Professional Identity in Schools of Nursing.

Background: The Professional Identity in Nursing Initiative began in 2018 to explore how concepts and language regarding professional identity formation could positively affect nursing education, practice, and regulation. In 2023, faculty from two nursing schools used the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN) definitions and domains to incorporate professional identity in nursing language in a template for a nursing student handbook.

Method: Faculty evaluated the professional identity in nursing model and replaced the framework for professionalism in the school of nursing's handbook.

Transport and inhibition of the sphingosine-1-phosphate exporter SPNS2.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling lysolipid critical to heart development, immunity, and hearing. Accordingly, mutations in the S1P transporter SPNS2 are associated with reduced white cell count and hearing defects. SPNS2 also exports the S1P-mimicking FTY720-P (Fingolimod) and thereby is central to the pharmacokinetics of this drug when treating multiple sclerosis.

Sex differences in the murine HPA axis after acute and repeated restraint stress.

Chronic stress and stress-related mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder (MDD) constitute some of the leading causes of disability worldwide with a higher prevalence in women compared to men. However, preclinical research into stress and MDD is heavily biased toward using male animals only. Aberrant activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been linked to the development of MDD and several animal models of MDD have been established based on HPA axis dysregulation.

Thiol-Reactive or Redox-Active: Revising a Repurposing Screen Led to a New Invalidation Pipeline and Identified a True Noncovalent Inhibitor Against Papain-like Protease from SARS-CoV-2.

The SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease PLpro has multiple roles in the viral replication cycle, related to both its polypeptide cleavage function and its ability to antagonize the host immune response. Targeting the PLpro function is recognized as a promising mechanism to modulate viral replication, while supporting host immune responses. However, the development of PLpro-specific inhibitors remains challenging.

Disease-State Dependent Associations Between Intrinsic Brain Function and Symptoms of Fatigue, Depression, and Anxiety in Crohn's Disease.

Background: Extraintestinal symptoms (EIS) in inflammatory bowel diseases, including fatigue, depression and anxiety, are highly prevalent, but poorly understood. Alterations of brain function may contribute to EIS, but their association with disease activity is unclear. This study analyzed intrinsic neural activity (INA) of individuals with Crohn's disease (CD) in different disease states and examined the relationship between INA and EIS.

Can back exosuits simultaneously increase lifting endurance and reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk?

The objectives of this case series study were to test whether an elastic back exosuit could increase a wearer's endurance when lifting heavy objects and to assess whether lifting more cancels out the exosuit's risk reduction benefits. We found that 88% of participants increased their lifting repetitions while wearing an exosuit, with endurance increases ranging from 28 to 75%. We then used these empirical data with an ergonomic assessment model based on fatigue failure principles to estimate the effects on cumulative back damage (an indicator of low back disorder risk) when an exosuit is worn and more lifts are performed.

The hummingbird's adipostat: can a simple rule explain torpor frequency and duration in hummingbirds?

Because hummingbirds are small and have an expensive mode of locomotion, they have constrained energy budgets. Torpor is used to buffer against these energetic challenges, but its frequency and duration vary. We measured lipid content, metabolic rates and torpor use in two species of migrating hummingbirds, calliope () and rufous hummingbirds () at a stopover site.

Laser induced oxidation Raman spectroscopy as an analysis tool for iridium-based oxygen evolution catalysts.

The study of degradation behavior of electrocatalysts in an industrial context calls for rapid and efficient analysis methods. Optical methods like Raman spectroscopy fulfil these requirements and are thus predestined for this purpose. However, the iridium utilized in proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEMEL) is Raman inactive in its metallic state.

Secondary bile acid derivatives are contributors to the fecal bile acid pool and associated with bile acid modulating nutrients.

Objective: Accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids is linked with cancer development. However, derivatives of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) produced via bacterial metabolism may mitigate the proinflammatory and cytotoxic effects of hydrophobic bile acids. The impact of diet on secondary bile acid (BA) derivative production has not been determined.

Virtual Monitoring Technician Performance in High-Fidelity Simulations of Remote Patient Monitoring: An Exploratory Study.

Introduction: Virtual Monitor Technicians (VMTs) are crucial in remotely monitoring inpatient telemetry. However, little is known about VMT workload and intratask performance changes, and their potential impact on patient safety. This exploratory study used a high-fidelity simulation aimed to evaluate VMTs' workload and performance changes over time in telemetry monitoring and identify future research directions for performance improvement.

Mineralocorticoid axis activity and cardiac remodeling in patients with ACTH dependent Cushing's syndrome.

Background: Arterial hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy and remodeling are independent cardiovascular risk factors in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Changes in the renin-angiotensin system and in the mineralocorticoid axis activity could be involved as potential mechanisms in their pathogenesis, in addition to cortisol excess.

Methods: In this ancillary study of our previous study prospectively investigating patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (NCT02202902), 11 patients without any interfering medication were cross-sectionally compared to 20 control subjects matched for age, sex and body mass index.

Symptom Evolution in Individuals with Ongoing Symptomatic COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Syndrome After SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Versus Influenza Vaccination.

Background: COVID-19 symptoms may persist beyond acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, as ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 [OSC] (symptom duration 4-12 weeks) and post-COVID syndrome [PCS] (symptom duration ≥12 weeks). Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 decreases OSC/PCS in individuals subsequently infected with SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination. Whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, or any other vaccinations (such as against influenza) affects symptoms in individuals already experiencing OSC/PCS, more than natural symptom evolution, is unknown.

Development and Validation of a Brief Age-Normed Screening Tool for Subthreshold Psychosis Symptoms in Youth.

Background And Hypothesis: Improvements in screening tools for early subthreshold psychosis symptoms are needed to facilitate early identification and intervention efforts, especially given the challenges of rapidly differentiating age-appropriate experiences from potential early signs of emerging psychosis. Tools can be lengthy and time-consuming, impacting their utility and accessibility across clinical settings, and age-normed data are limited. To address this gap, we sought to develop and validate a brief, empirically derived, age-normed, subthreshold psychosis screening tool, for public use.

Expert Rater Agreement for Symptoms and Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in Youth.

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder (BD) in young children has been a topic of debate, in part owing to varied interpretation of manic-like symptoms. We examined how expert academic clinicians participating in the pediatric bipolar biobank varied in their interpretation and application of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria and diagnoses. Study co-investigators reviewed 12 standardized narratives and for each marked a visual analog scale with their confidence in the presence of manic episodes and criteria.

Prevention and Management of Infectious Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Survey Assessment of Current Practices Across Children's Oncology Group Institutions.

Introduction: While clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for pediatric oncology infection prophylaxis and management exist, few data describe actual management occurring at pediatric oncology centers.

Methods: An electronic survey querying infection management practices in nontransplant pediatric oncology patients was iteratively created by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Cancer Control and Supportive Care Infectious Diseases Subcommittee and sent to leaders at all COG institutions, limiting each site to one response to represent their institution.

Results: The response rate was 57% (129/227 institutions).

Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with pre-treatment reduced left ventricular function.

Aims: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment outcomes. However, the response varies across different populations, and their use may lead to life-threatening cardiovascular (CV) events. While pre-treatment reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is considered a marker for high-risk cardiotoxicity and a contraindication for anthracycline and HER2-targeted therapies, there is limited evidence on the safety and efficacy of ICIs therapy in patients presenting with pre-treatment reduced LVEF.

Wound Healing After Vaginal Delivery, Episiotomy, and Cesarean Section Delivery Among Women With IBD: Results From the PIANO Registry.

Background: Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) face complexities of disease management during pregnancy and childbirth. Apprehension regarding vaginal delivery in pregnant individuals with IBD persists due to concern for perianal disease and perineal trauma. The incidence of poor wound healing after obstetric anal sphincter injury is approximately 4% in the general population.

Impact of Locum Tenens Providers on Delivery of Pediatric Surgical Care.

Introduction: We sought to understand the impact of locum tenens surgeons on pediatric surgical care delivery.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Children's Hospital Association pediatric surgical practices. Anonymous electronic surveys were used to investigate locum tenens utilization, primary reason for use, limitations on clinical activities, and variations in practice standards or quality.

The role of carotid elongation for intervention time and outcome in mechanical thrombectomy for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke.

Introduction: This study investigates the influence of carotid artery elongation on neurovascular intervention and outcome in acute stroke treatments proposing an easily assessable imaging marker for carotid elongation.

Methods: 118 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for middle cerebral artery occlusions were included. The carotid elongation ratio (CER), center-line artery length to scan's Z-axis, was measured on the affected side in CT-angiographies.

Impact of Prior Biologic Exposure on Ozanimod Efficacy and Safety in the Phase 3 True North Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and prior biologic failure may have reduced or delayed efficacy with subsequent advanced therapies. This analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of ozanimod during the True North (TN) study and its open-label extension (OLE) in biologic-exposed patients with UC.

Methods: TN was a randomized, placebo-controlled 52-week trial (10-week induction, 42-week maintenance period).