Serum lactate and mean arterial pressure thresholds in patients with cirrhosis and septic shock.

Background: The Sepsis-3 guidelines have incorporated serum lactate levels of >2 mmol/L in septic shock definition to account for higher observed mortality. Further evidence is needed to support this threshold in cirrhosis, as well as target mean arterial pressure (MAP) during resuscitation.

Methods: This observational cohort study investigated the association between initial serum lactate and resuscitation MAP levels on in-hospital mortality in patients with and without cirrhosis.

Identification and engineering of potent cyclic peptides with selective or promiscuous binding through biochemical profiling and bioinformatic data analysis.

As our understanding of biological systems grows, so does the need to selectively target individual or multiple members of specific protein families in order to probe their function. Many targets of current biological and pharmaceutical interest are part of a large family of closely related proteins and achieving ligand selectivity often remains either an elusive or time-consuming endeavour. Cyclic peptides (CPs) occupy a key niche in ligand space, able to achieve high affinity and selectivity while retaining synthetic accessibility.

Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella Typhi culture-based wastewater or non-sewered sanitation surveillance in a resource-limited region.

Background: In resource-limited regions, relying on individual clinical results to monitor community diseases is sometimes not possible. Establishing wastewater and non-sewered sanitation surveillance systems can offer opportunities to improve community health.

Objective: We provide our experience of establishing a wastewater and non-sewered sanitation surveillance laboratory in Malawi, a resource-limited region, for Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella serotype Typhi.

Quantifying Offense and Defense Workloads in Professional Rugby Union.

Purpose: Rugby union is a contact team sport demanding high levels of physical capacity, and understanding the match workloads can be useful to inform training. In this study, the factors influencing locomotion and contact workloads for offensive and defensive ball-in-play periods are quantified.

Methods: Locomotion and contact metrics were collected from global positioning system units and videos for 31 professional players of a Super Rugby team across 14 games in the 2021 season.

O157:H7 255 T > A allele strains differ in chromosomal and plasmid composition.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) O157:H7 strains with the T allele in the translocated intimin receptor polymorphism () 255 A > T gene associate with human disease more than strains with an A allele; however, the allele is not thought to be the direct cause of this difference. We sequenced a diverse set of STEC O157:H7 strains (26% A allele, 74% T allele) to identify linked differences that might underlie disease association. The average chromosome and pO157 plasmid size and gene content were significantly greater within the 255 A allele strains.

ESPEN-ESPGHAN-ECFS guideline on nutrition care for cystic fibrosis.

Background: Nutritional status is paramount in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and is directly correlated with morbidity and mortality. The first ESPEN-ESPGHAN-ECFS guidelines on nutrition care for infants, children, and adults with CF were published in 2016. An update to these guidelines is presented.

Exploring the cell interactome: deciphering relative impacts of cell-cell communication in cell co-culture using a novel microfluidic device.

The human body is made up of approximately 40 trillion cells in close contact, with the cellular density of individual tissues varying from 1 million to 1 billion cells per cubic centimetre. Interactions between different cell types (termed heterotypic) are thus common . Communication between cells can take the form of direct cell-cell contact mediated by plasma membrane proteins or through paracrine signalling mediated through the release, diffusion, and receipt of soluble factors.

Community-based participatory research to guide adoption of culturally responsive trauma-informed HIV care throughout Nashville, Tennessee.

Background: Psychological trauma is a highly prevalent driver of poor health among people with HIV (PWH) in the Southern United States (U.S.).

In vivo delivery of engineered synthetic DNA-encoded SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies for pre-exposure prophylaxis in non-human primates.

COVID-19 remains a major public health concern. Monoclonal antibodies have received emergency use authorization (EUA) for pre-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19 among high-risk groups for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. In addition to recombinant biologics, engineered synthetic DNA-encoded antibodies (DMAb) are an important strategy for direct in vivo delivery of protective mAb.

Testing the social motivation theory of autism: the role of co-occurring anxiety.

Background: The Social Motivation Theory proposes that social reward processing differences underlie autism. However, low social motivation has also been linked to higher anxiety. Given the co-occurrence between autism and anxiety, it is possible that anxiety drives the association between social motivation and autistic characteristics.

Dexamethasone and overall survival and progression free survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Glioblastomas, the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults, still hold poor prognosis. Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, are usually prescribed to reduce peritumoral edema and limit neurological symptoms, although potential detrimental effects of these drugs have been described. The present meta-analysis aimed to explore the association of dexamethasone with overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Updates in the treatment of asthma in pediatrics: A review for pharmacists.

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to summarize the management of asthma in children and to highlight different guideline-based approaches. This review also discusses literature regarding the use of corticosteroids, both inhaled and systemic, as well as biologic agents, in asthma management.

Summary: Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition in the pediatric population and has evolved into a highly patient-specific disease.

Addressing the need for Indigenous-specific PROMs and PREMS: A focus on methodology.

Purpose: Differences in Indigenous worldviews, practices and values highlight the need for Indigenous-specific health quality indicators, such as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs). The purpose of this paper is to present our methodology, as part of a larger study that sought to develop a framework for creating Indigenous-specific PROMs and PREMs.

Methods: The research design was informed by Indigenous research methodology and a community-based participatory approach.

Pathways: A guide for developing culturally safe and appropriate patient-reported outcome (PROMs) and experience measures (PREMs) with Indigenous peoples.

Background: Members of the Indigenous Health Program, BC Children's and Women's Hospitals and the University of British Columbia embarked on a joint project to describe best practices to support the creation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) with Indigenous peoples.

Methods: The project involved a review of previous research on patient-reported measures (surveys) that had been specifically developed for Indigenous populations. It also involved interviews with key stakeholders-Indigenous and non-Indigenous academic researchers, and Indigenous community leaders and community members.

Antitumor efficacy and safety of unedited autologous CD5.CAR T cells in relapsed/refractory mature T-cell lymphomas.

Despite newer targeted therapies, patients with primary refractory or relapsed (r/r) T-cell lymphoma have a poor prognosis. The development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell platforms to treat T-cell malignancies often requires additional gene modifications to overcome fratricide because of shared T-cell antigens on normal and malignant T cells. We developed a CD5-directed CAR that produces minimal fratricide by downmodulating CD5 protein levels in transduced T cells while retaining strong cytotoxicity against CD5+ malignant cells.

Determining the minimal clinically important difference for the questionnaire of olfactory disorders in people with cystic fibrosis and factors associated with improvement after highly effective modulator therapy.

Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common among people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF). The Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD) is a validated instrument that evaluates olfactory-specific quality-of-life. The QOD minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and factors associated with olfactory improvement after elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor have not been determined for PwCF.

Asynchronous Telemedicine: A Systematic Literature Review.

Background: Asynchronous telemedicine (ATM), which describes telemedical interaction between a patient and provider where neither party communicates simultaneously, is an important telemedicine modality that is seeing increased use. In this article, we summarize the published peer-reviewed literature specifically related to ATM to (1) identify terms or phrases that are used to describe ATM, (2) ascertain how this research has thus far addressed the various aspects of the quadruple aim of medicine, and (3) assess the methodological rigor of research on ATM. We also divided the literature into pre- and post-COVID-19 onset periods to identify potential variations in the literature between these two periods.

Recommendations for assessing appearance concerns related to plexiform and cutaneous neurofibromas in neurofibromatosis 1 clinical trials.

Background/aims: Individuals with neurofibromatosis 1 may experience changes in their appearance due to physical manifestations of the disorders and/or treatment sequelae. Appearance concerns related to these physical changes can lead to psychological distress and poorer quality of life. While many neurofibromatosis 1 clinical trials focus on assessing changes in tumor volume, evaluating patients' perspectives on corresponding changes in symptoms such as physical appearance can be key secondary outcomes.

Rates of newly diagnosed breast cancer at commission on cancer facilities during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases at Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited facilities relative to the United States (U.S.) population.

The Genome of the Yellow Mealworm, : It's Bigger Than You Think.

Background: Insects are a sustainable source of protein for human food and animal feed. We present a genome assembly, CRISPR gene editing, and life stage-specific transcriptomes for the yellow mealworm, , one of the most intensively farmed insects worldwide.

Methods: Long and short reads and long-range data were obtained from a male pupa.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Their Association with Neurologic and Sleep Problems in Long COVID-19 Minority Patients: A Prospective Follow-Up Study.

Background: Long-COVID is a condition post SARS-CoV-2 infection with persistent or recurring symptoms affecting multiple organs, and may involve viral persistence, changes to the microbiome, coagulopathies, and alterations to neuro-immune interactions. These factors can disrupt the Gut-Brain Axis, which is a complex system involving bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal (GI) system. As a result of these disruptions, individuals with long-COVID may develop post-infectious functional GI disorders, which can cause a range of symptoms affecting the digestive system.

Parent Awareness of and Attitudes Toward Gender-Affirming Pediatric Health Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose: We aimed to characterize parent attitudes toward gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, from a general parent sample in a diverse urban setting.

Methods: We surveyed Chicago parents through the Voices of Child Health in Chicago Parent Panel Survey via web and phone in English and Spanish from May-July 2022. We used both probability-based and nonprobability-based sampling, with calibration weights for the nonprobability sample.

Influences on decision-making about disclosure of HIV status by adolescents and young adults living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYA) are faced with the challenge of living with a life-long chronic condition. We investigated the influences on the decisions by AYA to disclose their HIV status to family, intimate partners and friends. Twenty AYA aged between 15 and 24 years were purposely selected through local community-based organisations in eThekwini municipality and uMkhanyakude district in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.