Diverse microbiome functions, limited temporal variation and substantial genomic conservation within sedimentary and granite rock deep underground research laboratories.

Background: Underground research laboratories (URLs) provide a window on the deep biosphere and enable investigation of potential microbial impacts on nuclear waste, CO and H stored in the subsurface. We carried out the first multi-year study of groundwater microbiomes sampled from defined intervals between 140 and 400 m below the surface of the Horonobe and Mizunami URLs, Japan.

Results: We reconstructed draft genomes for > 90% of all organisms detected over a four year period.

Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Expression and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients with Resected, Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World Study.

Treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are evolving, given recent and expected approvals of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting programmed cell death-(ligand) 1 (PD-1/PD-L1). We retrospectively evaluated outcomes among patients with resected stage IB-IIIA NSCLC tumors expressing PD-L1 using PALEOS (Pan-cAnadian Lung cancEr Observational Study) data (2016-2019). Key outcomes included PD-L1 expression rate and treatment patterns, recurrence, and median overall (mOS) and disease-free survival (mDFS) among PD-L1+ patients.

Convergent evolution of viral-like Borg archaeal extrachromosomal elements and giant eukaryotic viruses.

Unlabelled: Borgs are huge extrachromosomal elements of anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea. They exist in exceedingly complex microbiomes, lack cultivated hosts and have few protein functional annotations, precluding their classification as plasmids, viruses or other. Here, we used structure prediction methods to investigate potential roles for ∼10,000 Borg proteins.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Adjuvant Radiation Dose for Pediatric Patients (≤22 years) with Nonmetastatic Intracranial Ependymomas.

Purpose: Ependymomas are the third most common brain tumors in children. Standard of care is surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. Controversy in the literature still exists over optimal radiation therapy dose.

Angioleiomyomatous Hamartoma of Incisive Papilla in an Adolescent.

Hamartomas, a focal excess of normal tissue usually presenting as isolated masses, are rarely found in the head and neck region. The purpose of this report is to discuss a rare case of an intra-oral angioleiomyomatous hamartoma in a 14-year-old male who presented with a congenital nodule over the anterior palatal mucosa. The confirmatory diagnosis was done based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry using various markers.

Utilizing Fetal Echocardiography to Risk Stratify and Predict Neonatal Outcomes in Fetuses Diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease.

Objective:  Risk stratification of fetuses diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) helps provide a delivery plan and prepare families and medical teams on expected course in the delivery room. Our aim was to assess the accuracy of echocardiographically determined risk-stratification assignments in predicting postnatal cardiac outcomes beyond the delivery room.

Study Design:  This was a retrospective study at a single center evaluating all fetuses with CHD who were risk-stratified by echocardiographically determined level of care (LOC) assignment, ranging from 1a (lowest risk) to 4 (highest risk).

Impact of Appropriate Use Criteria for Cross-Sectional Imaging on Medical Decision-Making in Patients with Conotruncal Defects.

Associations between Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) ratings and medical decision-making in congenital heart disease are not well-established. We applied the 2020 AUC for multimodality imaging in follow-up care of pediatric and young adult patients with conotruncal defects to evaluate appropriateness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and computed tomography (CCT) use in this population and impact on clinical decision-making. Records were reviewed and assigned AUC indications and corresponding ratings for CMR and CCT.

Bridging the vitamin A and deworming coverage gap among underserved populations in India through government and civil society organization partnerships.

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health problem in India, where approximately 62% of children under five have low retinol levels (< 70 µmol/L). This study aims to (1) evaluate vitamin A supplementation (VAS) and deworming (VAS + D) coverage in Nagaland state through government and civil society organization (CSO) partnerships, (2) examine socio-demographic barriers and facilitators to VAS + D coverage, (3) examine associations between socio-demographic characteristics and source of VAS coverage (i.e.

Mind the Gap! Working Toward Gender Equity in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: Present and Future.

Evidence from medicine and other fields has shown that gender diversity results in better decision making and outcomes. The incoming workforce of congenital heart specialists (especially in pediatric cardiology) appears to be more gender balanced, but past studies have shown many inequities. Gender-associated differences in leadership positions, opportunities presented for academic advancement, and recognition for academic contributions to the field persist.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of using AI-enabled technology in sleep medicine: a commentary.

Unlabelled: Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool used to efficiently automate several tasks across multiple domains. Sleep medicine is perfectly positioned to leverage this tool due to the wealth of physiological signals obtained through sleep studies or sleep tracking devices and abundance of accessible clinical data through electronic medical records. However, caution must be applied when utilizing AI, due to intrinsic challenges associated with novel technology.

Isolated perinephric abscess as the initial manifestation of filariasis-an unusual presentation.

Key Clinical Message: Filariasis may present as an isolated perinephric abscess. Hence, a high index of suspicion should be maintained in endemic settings.

Abstract: In cases with unexplained fever, eosinophilia and perinephric collection, it is necessary to do detailed infectious disease work up.

Web-Based Information on Spinal Cord Stimulation: Qualitative Assessment of Publicly Accessible Online Resources.

Background: Despite the growing accessibility of web-based information related to spinal cord stimulation (SCS), the content and quality of commonly encountered websites remain unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the content and quality of web-based information on SCS.

Methods: This qualitative study was prospectively registered in Open Science Framework.

From Toxin to Treatment: A Narrative Review on the Use of Botulinum Toxin for Autonomic Dysfunction.

Since its regulatory approval over a half-century ago, botulinum toxin has evolved from one of the most potent neurotoxins known to becoming routinely adopted in clinical practice. Botulinum toxin, a highly potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, can cause botulism illness, characterized by widespread muscle weakness due to inhibition of acetylcholine transmission at neuromuscular junctions. The observation of botulinum toxin's anticholinergic properties led to the investigation of its potential benefits for conditions with an underlying etiology of cholinergic transmission, including autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Consensus-Based Development of a Pediatric Echocardiography Complexity Score: Design, Rationale, and Results of a Quality Improvement Collaborative.

Background: The complexity of congenital heart disease has been primarily stratified on the basis of surgical technical difficulty, specific diagnoses, and associated outcomes. We report on the refinement and validation of a pediatric echocardiography complexity (PEC) score.

Methods And Results: The American College of Cardiology Quality Network assembled a panel from 12 centers to refine a previously published PEC score developed in a single institution.