Conservation futures 2050: Developing future scenarios to explore potential socio-economic developments and their impact on biodiversity.

Large scale changes in biodiversity and conservation management require long-term goals and planning across multiple sectors in the face of increasing global change. Major trends in land use and management interventions, species additions or losses, and climate are well recognized, but responses are still often short-term and fragmented across agencies and sectors. Scenario-building can be a powerful tool to imagine possible futures, integrating across sectors and disciplines and promoting long-term thinking and planning.

Tirzepatide: A promising treatment for obesity?

Obesity affects a large percentage of patients in the United States and is associated with increased mortality and higher healthcare costs. Newer guidelines recommend a minimum of 10% weight loss goal for patients with obesity, and medical management options fall short. Tirzepatide, the first available dual-incretin analog, is a novel treatment for type 2 diabetes that also can induce weight loss.

Live birth per embryo transfer with next generation sequencing preimplantation genetic testing: an analysis of 26,107 cycles.

The technique and platform used for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) have undergone significant changes over time. The contemporary technique utilizes trophectoderm biopsy followed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The goal of this study was to explore the role of PGT-A using NGS technique exclusively in contemporary fertilization (IVF) practice.

Preservation of the Innate Immune Response to Infection in Hospitalized Immunocompromised Patients.

Background: infection (CDI) immune response is influenced by the innate and adaptive (humoral) immune systems. Our prior research found attenuated humoral responses to in immunocompromised hosts (ICHs) with CDI. We sought to evaluate whether the innate immune response to CDI was influenced by ICH status.

Science for social licence to arrest an ecosystem-transforming invasion.

The primary role for scientific information in addressing complex environmental problems, such as biological invasions, is generally assumed to be as a guide for management decisions. However, scientific information often plays a minor role in decision-making, with practitioners instead relying on professional experience and local knowledge. We explore alternative pathways by which scientific information could help reduce the spread and impacts of invasive species.

Oocyte Retrieval in Asymptomatic Patients Positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: To report two cases of oocyte retrieval performed in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-positive patients.

Design: Case report. .

Stool Interleukin-1β Differentiates Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) From Asymptomatic Carriage and Non-CDI Diarrhea.

Background: Despite advances in the understanding and diagnosis of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), clinical distinction within the colonization-infection continuum remains an unmet need.

Methods: By measuring stool cytokines and antitoxin antibodies in well-characterized cohorts of CDI (diarrhea, nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] positive), non-CDI diarrhea (NCD; diarrhea, NAAT negative), asymptomatic carriers (ASC; no diarrhea, NAAT positive) and hospital controls (CON; no diarrhea, NAAT negative), we aim to discover novel biological markers to distinguish between these cohorts. We also explore the relationship of these stool cytokines and antitoxin antibody with stool toxin concentrations and disease severity.

Higher In Vivo Fecal Concentrations of Clostridioides difficile Toxins A and B in Patients With North American Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Type 1/Ribotype 027 Strain Infection.

Ultrasensitive, quantitative Clostridioides difficile stool toxin measurement demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of toxins A and B in patients infected with the North American pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type 1/ribotype 027 (NAP-1/027) strain compared with other strains, providing in vivo confirmation of the in vitro association between NAP-1/027 and elevated toxin production.

Standardized hospital management of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis reduces frequency of low blood glucose episodes.

Objective: In patients treated for DKA, decrease the rate of visits experiencing one or more BG < 80 mg/dl by 10% within 24 months.

Research Design And Methods: Plan-do-study-act cycles tested interventions linked to key drivers including: standardized DKA guidelines incorporating a two-bag fluid system, efficient ordering process, and care team education. Inclusion criterion: treatment for DKA with a bicarbonate value (HCO ) <15 mEq/L.

Ultrasensitive and Quantitative Toxin Measurement Correlates With Baseline Severity, Severe Outcomes, and Recurrence Among Hospitalized Patients With Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Background: Stool toxin concentrations may impact Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) severity and outcomes. We correlated fecal C difficile toxin concentrations, measured by an ultrasensitive and quantitative assay, with CDI baseline severity, attributable outcomes, and recurrence.

Methods: We enrolled 615 hospitalized adults (≥18 years) with CDI (acute diarrhea, positive stool nucleic acid amplification testing, and decision to treat).

The role of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in a good prognosis IVF population across different age groups.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy is associated with increased pregnancy success and reduced miscarriage in women 35 years and older when embryos are available for transfer. In this retrospective cohort study our objective was to evaluate if this holds true in good prognosis patients and across all age groups. Data were obtained from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology between 2014-2015.

Minimal Population Prevalence and Mortality of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Healthcare Personnel.

Among 3926 healthcare personnel in a multisite healthcare system, the minimal population prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was 4.4% (bootstrap 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7%-5.

Humoral Immune Response to Toxins A and B in Hospitalized Immunocompromised Patients With Infection.

Background: The humoral immune response to toxins in infection (CDI) is incompletely characterized in immunocompromised hosts (ICHs).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of hospitalized adults with CDI, with and without immunosuppression (hematologic malignancy, active solid tumor, solid organ or stem cell transplant, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, asplenia, chronic receipt of high-dose steroids, or receipt of immunosuppressing medications within 12 months). Serum and stool antibody concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, and IgA to toxins A and B at treatment days 0, 3, and 10-14 were compared.

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers After a Single Dose of mRNA-1273 Vaccine.

This cohort study of health care workers in a metropolitan Veterans Administration network examines the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection after receiving a single dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine compared with no vaccination.

Fecal Mycobiota Combined With Host Immune Factors Distinguish Clostridioides difficile Infection From Asymptomatic Carriage.

Background & Aims: Although the role of gut microbiota in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has been well established, little is known about the role of mycobiota in CDI. Here, we performed mycobiome data analysis in a well-characterized human cohort to evaluate the potential of using gut mycobiota features for CDI diagnosis.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from 118 hospital patients, divided into 3 groups: CDI (n = 58), asymptomatic carriers (Carrier, n = 28), and Control (n = 32).

Catecholestradiol Activation of Adrenergic Receptors Induces Endometrial Cell Survival via p38 MAPK Signaling.

Context: Enhanced levels of catecholestradiols, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2) or 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), are reported in endometriosis. During gestation, catecholestradiol activation of adrenergic receptors (AR) elevates estrogen receptor (ER)-independent proliferation of uterine arterial endothelial cells.

Objective: To investigate β-AR-mediated catecholestradiol effects on human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) and epithelial cell survival in endometriosis.

Absence of Toxemia in Clostridioides difficile Infection: Results from Ultrasensitive Toxin Assay of Serum.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is caused by Toxins A and B, secreted from pathogenic strains of C. difficle. This infection can vary greatly in symptom severity and in clinical presentation.

An application to support COVID-19 occupational health and patient tracking at a Veterans Affairs medical center.

Objective: Reducing risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among healthcare personnel requires a robust occupational health response involving multiple disciplines. We describe a flexible informatics solution to enable such coordination, and we make it available as open-source software.

Materials And Methods: We developed a stand-alone application that integrates data from several sources, including electronic health record data and data captured outside the electronic health record.

Alteration of purinergic signaling in diabetes: Focus on vascular function.

Diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Vascular complications including macro- and micro-vascular dysfunction are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetes. Disease mechanisms at present are unclear and no ideal therapies are available, which urgently calls for the identification of novel therapeutic targets/agents.

Women and Infants in the Deep South Receiving Perinatal and Neonatal Palliative and Supportive Care Services.

Background: While women in the Deep South area of the United States have higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, palliative and supportive care programs are lacking. Additionally, few studies have detailed referral triggers that are specific to the mother, infant, or pregnancy for inclusion in perinatal and neonatal palliative and supportive care programs.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective, descriptive study was to examine the sociodemographic factors and referral triggers for perinatal-neonatal palliative and supportive care services for women enrolled in a newly developed perinatal-neonatal palliative and supportive care program.