Calcium phosphate formation and deposition in ischemic neurons.

Ischemic stroke causes acute brain calcium phosphate (CaP) deposition, a process involving primarily the injured neurons. Whereas the adverse impact of CaP deposition on the brain structure and function has been recognized, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This investigation demonstrated that the neuron-expressed, plasma membrane-associated Ca2+-binding proteins annexin (Anx) A2, AnxA5, AnxA6, and AnxA7 contributed to neuronal CaP deposition in the mouse model of ischemic stroke.

Timing of Palliative Care Consultation Impacts End of Life Care Outcomes in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Context: Early specialist palliative care (PC) involvement in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) is associated with improved quality of life, less aggressive end of life (EoL) care, and longer survival. As treatment paradigms for NSCLC have evolved, PC utilization remains low.

Objectives: This work examines how the timing and extent of PC involvement impacts outcomes and the patient experience in mNSCLC in the era of immunotherapy.

Penile Revascularization for Erectile Dysfunction Secondary to Arterial Insufficiency: A Case Series.

Background: First described by Michal et al in 1972, penile revascularization for vasculogenic impotence and its outcomes has been scarcely reported in plastic surgery literature. Such injuries are often secondary to atherosclerosis of the distal internal pudendal, common penile or proximal cavernosal artery, or locoregional trauma. Various techniques have been described to restore blood flow to the cavernosal body.

Globally, songs and instrumental melodies are slower and higher and use more stable pitches than speech: A Registered Report.

Both music and language are found in all known human societies, yet no studies have compared similarities and differences between song, speech, and instrumental music on a global scale. In this Registered Report, we analyzed two global datasets: (i) 300 annotated audio recordings representing matched sets of traditional songs, recited lyrics, conversational speech, and instrumental melodies from our 75 coauthors speaking 55 languages; and (ii) 418 previously published adult-directed song and speech recordings from 209 individuals speaking 16 languages. Of our six preregistered predictions, five were strongly supported: Relative to speech, songs use (i) higher pitch, (ii) slower temporal rate, and (iii) more stable pitches, while both songs and speech used similar (iv) pitch interval size and (v) timbral brightness.

Clinical outcomes in patients with piperacillin/tazobactam-non-susceptible but ceftriaxone-susceptible E. coli or K. pneumoniae bloodstream infection.

Background: A small proportion of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrate in vitro non-susceptibility to piperacillin/tazobactam but retain susceptibility to ceftriaxone. Uncertainty remains regarding how best to treat these isolates.

Objectives: We sought to compare clinical outcomes between patients with piperacillin/tazobactam-non-susceptible but ceftriaxone-susceptible E.

Promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development in early childhood: A protocol for early valuation of a culturally adapted digital tool for supporting optimal childrearing practices.

Objective: The Thrive by Five app promotes positive interactions between children and parents, extended family, and trusted community members that support optimal socio-emotional and cognitive development in the early years. This article aims to describe the protocol for a prospective mixed-methods multi-site study evaluating Thrive by Five using surveys, interviews, workshops, audio diaries from citizen ethnographers and app usage data.

Methods: The study activities and timelines differ by site, with an extensive longitudinal evaluation being conducted at two sites and a basic evaluation being conducted at five sites.

Screening for health literacy, social determinants, and discrimination in health plans.

Objectives: Health inequities are frequently driven by social determinants of health (SDOH) and structural determinants of health. Our pilot sought to test the feasibility of screening for health literacy (HL) and perceived health care discrimination (PHD) through a live telephonic-facilitated survey experience with managed care patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Utilization of Topical Polysporin and Triamcinolone for the Treatment of Hypergranulation Tissue.

Hypergranulation is the abnormal accumulation of granulation tissue in a wound and is commonly seen in burns. It impairs wound healing and can predispose patients to infection. There is no gold standard treatment for hypergranulation tissue, but some options include surgical debridement, chemical cautery with silver nitrate, and topical steroids.

Effect of prewarmed crystalloid fluids and an in-line fluid warming device on fluid outflow temperatures at ambient temperatures of 21-22°C and 3.5°C.

Equine veterinarians frequently treat patients in non-climate-controlled (i.e., hospitalized) settings.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Trial of Intravenous Allogeneic Non-HLA Matched, Unrelated Donor, Cord Blood Infusion for Ischemic Stroke.

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability in the US, and time-limited reperfusion strategies remain the only approved treatment options. To address this unmet clinical need, we conducted a phase II randomized clinical trial to determine whether intravenous infusion of banked, non-HLA matched unrelated donor umbilical cord blood (UCB) improved functional outcome after stroke. Participants were randomized 2:1 to UCB or placebo within strata of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS) and study center.

Complications of Medical Tourism in Aesthetic Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: As medical cost continues to rise, so has the use of medical tourism by patients as a more cost-effective alternative. While the upfront cost savings attract many unsuspecting patients from their country of origin, there are significant patient safety issues surrounding short- and long-term follow-up, as well as the management and cost of complications.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses on complications that presented after cosmetic surgeries performed abroad.

Knowledge of Palliative Care and Barriers to Access Among Outpatients with Cancer.

Context: Palliative Care (PC) is poorly understood by laypersons. However, little is known about what ambulatory patients with cancer understand about PC or what barriers to access exist.

Methods: Outpatients undergoing cancer treatment completed a survey evaluating their familiarity and knowledge of PC, Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS), feelings towards PC (before and after reading a definition of PC), barriers to PC, and prognostic understanding.

Reducing drain use with paraspinal muscle flaps for spinal closures: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Paraspinal muscle (PSM) flaps can be mobilized with superficial undermining and lateral release from the thoracolumbar fascia and/or deep undermining and medial release from the transverse processes and ribs. The objective of the study was to compare the effect of the PSM flap technique on drain use, retention, and complication rates.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent spinal coverage with PSM flaps at a single institution from April 2020 to June 2021.

Characteristics and Complication Rates of Mandibular Fractures Caused by Violent Mechanisms Versus Nonviolent Mechanisms.

Background: Mandibular fractures due to intentionally violent mechanisms represent a unique subset of facial fractures. The objective of our research is to identify how violence affects patterns of mandibular fractures and their outcomes.

Methods: In this institutional review board-approved, retrospective study, we examined our institution's records for adult patients >18 years of age who presented with ≥ 1 mandibular fractures from January 2011 to January 2022.

Readability of Online Materials in Spanish and English for Breast Reduction Insurance Coverage.

Introduction: Breast reduction surgery aims to alleviate physical discomfort and improve the quality of life for individuals with macromastia. Insurance coverage plays a crucial role in making this surgery accessible, but navigating the complex approval process can be challenging. Online resources have become a primary information source, but limited research exists on the adequacy of online materials, particularly for Spanish-speaking patients.

Phenylbutazone concentrations in synovial fluid following administration via intravenous regional limb perfusion in the forelimbs of six adult horses.

Background: Pain management is critical to equine welfare with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) commonly used in horses. However, systemic NSAID use is limited by harmful gastrointestinal and renal side effects. Intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP) is a technique used in horses that produces high, local antibiotic concentrations while limiting systemic circulation.

Treatment Effect Estimates From Pilot Trials Are Unreliable.

Context: The CONSORT guideline defines a pilot trial as a small-scale version of a desired future efficacy trial that is intended to answer the key questions of whether and how a larger study should be done. For example, a pilot trial might evaluate different approaches to data collection or outcome measurement. However, pilot trials are unreliable for assessing treatment efficacy due to the statistical phenomenon called sampling variability.

Automated Video Tracking of Autistic Children's Movement During Caregiver-Child Interaction: An Exploratory Study.

Objective, quantitative measures of caregiver-child interaction during play are needed to complement caregiver or examiner ratings for clinical assessment and tracking intervention responses. In this exploratory study, we examined the feasibility of using automated video tracking, Noldus EthoVision XT, to measure 159 2-to-7-year-old autistic children's patterns of movement during play-based, caregiver-child interactions and examined their associations with standard clinical measures and human observational coding of caregiver-child joint engagement. Results revealed that autistic children who exhibited higher durations and velocity of movement were, on average, younger, had lower cognitive abilities, greater autism-related features, spent less time attending to the caregiver, and showed lower levels of joint engagement.