Exploring Dual-Task Performance Relationships for Veterans with Lower-Limb Amputation.

Adults with lower-limb (LL) amputation have difficulty dual-tasking which may elicit falls and is required for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between dual-task performance, falls, and IADLs for Veterans with LL amputation. A cross-sectional study was completed with dual-task performance, retrospective fall reporting, and participation in IADLs.

Circulating Tumor DNA Assay Detects Merkel Cell Carcinoma Recurrence, Disease Progression, and Minimal Residual Disease: Surveillance and Prognostic Implications.

Purpose: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer with a 40% recurrence rate, lacking effective prognostic biomarkers and surveillance methods. This prospective, multicenter, observational study aimed to evaluate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker for detecting MCC recurrence.

Methods: Plasma samples, clinical data, and imaging results were collected from 319 patients.

Functional and antigenic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 spike fusion peptide by deep mutational scanning.

The fusion peptide of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is functionally important for membrane fusion during virus entry and is part of a broadly neutralizing epitope. However, sequence determinants at the fusion peptide and its adjacent regions for pathogenicity and antigenicity remain elusive. In this study, we perform a series of deep mutational scanning (DMS) experiments on an S2 region spanning the fusion peptide of authentic SARS-CoV-2 in different cell lines and in the presence of broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Nusinersen Initiation After Onset of Weakness Does Not Prevent Progression of Hip Instability.

Background: We report changes in the natural history of hip instability with nusinersen treatment among patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type II after onset of weakness, historically wheelchair-bound but now potentially ambulatory in the era of disease-modifying therapy.

Methods: Patients with genetically confirmed diagnoses of SMA type II who received intrathecal nusinersen from January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2022, were screened for inclusion. Patients with less than 6 months of follow-up, or prior hip surgeries were excluded.

Breaking the mold with RNA-a "RNAissance" of life science.

In the past decade, RNA therapeutics have gone from being a promising concept to one of the most exciting frontiers in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The field is now entering what many call a renaissance or "RNAissance" which is being fueled by advances in genetic engineering and delivery systems to take on more ambitious development efforts. However, this renaissance is occurring at an unprecedented pace, which will require a different way of thinking if the field is to live up to its full potential.

Functional and antigenic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 spike fusion peptide by deep mutational scanning.

The fusion peptide of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is functionally important for membrane fusion during virus entry and is part of a broadly neutralizing epitope. However, sequence determinants at the fusion peptide and its adjacent regions for pathogenicity and antigenicity remain elusive. In this study, we performed a series of deep mutational scanning (DMS) experiments on an S2 region spanning the fusion peptide of authentic SARS-CoV-2 in different cell lines and in the presence of broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Widespread impact of immunoglobulin V-gene allelic polymorphisms on antibody reactivity.

The ability of the human immune system to generate antibodies to any given antigen can be strongly influenced by immunoglobulin V-gene allelic polymorphisms. However, previous studies have provided only limited examples. Therefore, the prevalence of this phenomenon has been unclear.

Discharge criteria for inpatient paediatric asthma: a narrative systematic review.

Introduction: Criteria-led discharges (CLDs) and inpatient care pathways (ICPs) aim to standardise care and improve efficiency by allowing patients to be discharged on fulfilment of discharge criteria. This narrative systematic review aims to summarise the evidence for use of CLDs and discharge criteria in ICPs for paediatric inpatients with asthma, and summarise the evidence for each discharge criterion used.

Methods: Database search using keywords was performed using Medline, Embase and PubMed for studies published until 9 June 2022.

Widespread impact of immunoglobulin V gene allelic polymorphisms on antibody reactivity.

The ability of human immune system to generate antibodies to any given antigen can be strongly influenced by immunoglobulin V gene (IGV) allelic polymorphisms. However, previous studies have provided only a limited number of examples. Therefore, the prevalence of this phenomenon has been unclear.

Differentiating vaccine reactions from invasive bacterial infections in young infants presenting to the emergency department in the 4CMenB era: a retrospective observational comparison.

Background: Differentiating infants with adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) or invasive bacterial infection (IBI) is a significant clinical challenge. Young infants post vaccination are therefore often admitted to the hospital for parenteral antibiotics to avoid missing rare cases of IBI.

Methods: During a service evaluation project, we conducted a single-centre retrospective observational study of infants with IBI, urinary tract infection (UTI) or AEFI from two previously published cohorts.

Feasibility of repeated session error-augmentation gait training for people with nontraumatic transtibial amputation.

Background: Spatiotemporal gait asymmetries are a persistent problem for people with non-traumatic lower-limb amputation. To date, there is limited knowledge of multi-session gait training interventions targeting step length symmetry after non-traumatic amputation.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an eight-session, treadmill-based error-augmentation gait training (EAT) protocol to improve spatiotemporal gait asymmetry in people with non-traumatic transtibial amputation (TTA).

Decision formation in parietal cortex transcends a fixed frame of reference.

Neurons in the lateral intraparietal cortex represent the formation of a decision when it is linked to a specific action, such as an eye movement to a choice target. However, these neurons should be unable to represent a decision that transpires across actions that would disrupt this linkage. We investigated this limitation by simultaneously recording many neurons from two rhesus monkeys.

Quality of Surgery and Patient Selection Are Keys to Success in Hip Stabilization Surgery in Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Cerebral palsy patients are at risk of hip instability, to which various soft tissue and bony surgeries are performed should conservative management fail. We aim to identify factors associated with treatment failure to guide surgical management.

Methods: Cerebral palsy patients treated at 2 university-affiliated tertiary pediatric orthopaedic referral centers with hip stabilization surgery performed for subluxation in 1998 to 2015 with minimum of 5 years follow-up were reviewed.

Error-Manipulation Gait Training for Veterans With Nontraumatic Lower Limb Amputation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Objective: he purpose of this study will be to determine the efficacy of error-manipulation gait training (error-augmentation or error-correction) to improve step length symmetry and secondary health outcomes in veterans with unilateral nontraumatic transtibial amputation (TTA).

Methods: This will be a 3-arm, parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial, with baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up assessments in a VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center. Participants are 54 US military veterans ranging in age from 50 to 85 years with a unilateral transtibial nontraumatic amputation.