Association of biliary distention with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

Background: Gallbladder distention has been described in radiology literature but its value on point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) performed by emergency physicians is unclear. We sought to determine the test characteristics of gallbladder distention on PoCUS for cholecystitis (acute or chronic), and secondarily whether distention was associated with an obstructing stone-in-neck (SIN), acute cholecystitis on subsequent pathology report, and longer cholecystectomy operative times.

Methods: This was a dual-site retrospective cohort study of all Emergency Department (ED) patients that underwent diagnostic biliary PoCUS and were subsequently admitted from 11/1/2020 to 10/31/2022.

Identification and Optimization of RNA-Splicing Modulators as Huntingtin Protein-Lowering Agents for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat in exon 1 of the huntingtin () gene. We report the design of a series of pre-mRNA splicing modulators that lower huntingtin (HTT) protein, including the toxic mutant huntingtin (mHTT), by promoting insertion of a pseudoexon containing a premature termination codon at the exon 49-50 junction. The resulting transcript undergoes nonsense-mediated decay, leading to a reduction of mRNA transcripts and protein levels.

Enhanced Thromboresistance and Endothelialization of a Novel Fluoropolymer-Coated Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device.

Background: Device-related thrombus (DRT) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures is a rare but potentially serious event. Thrombogenicity and delayed endothelialization play a role in the development of DRT. Fluorinated polymers are known to have thromboresistant properties that may favorably modulate the healing response to an LAAC device.

Validation of LC-MS/MS methods for quantitative analysis of kynurenine pathway metabolites in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid.

Dysregulation of the kynurenine metabolic pathway has been reported in several neurological conditions. Sensitive and selective LC-MS/MS methods have been validated for six kynurenine pathway metabolites in human cerebrospinal fluid and plasma. For each matrix, we validated three methods - one for the simultaneous determination of kynurenine, kynurenic acid, anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxy-kynurenine (four-analyte assay), one for quinolinic acid and one for tryptophan - using stable-isotopically labeled internal standards.

Nanosilver/DCOIT-containing surface coating effectively and constantly reduces microbial load in emergency room surfaces.

Background: Colonization of near-patient surfaces in hospitals plays an important role as a source of healthcare-associated infections. Routine disinfection methods only result in short-term elimination of pathogens.

Aim: To investigate the efficiency of a newly developed antimicrobial coating containing nanosilver in long-term reduction of bacterial burden in hospital surfaces to close the gap between routine disinfection cycles.