Outcomes Associated With Novel Oral Anticoagulants and Warfarin in Patients With Cardiac Thrombus Following ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The treatment of cardiac thrombus after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is anticoagulation. There are conflicting data on the effectiveness and safety of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus warfarin. Using the national Medicare data, we identified patients with an admission diagnosis of STEMI and cardiac thrombus within 6 months after STEMI.

Annual Wellness Visits and Early Dementia Diagnosis Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Importance: Early recognition of cognitive impairment is key to optimal dementia care. No previous research has examined the probability of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) at 5-year follow-up among older adult Medicare beneficiaries by receipt of an annual wellness visit (AWV).

Objective: To assess the association of incident AWV with the first ADRD or MCI diagnosis among older adults with Medicare fee-for-service benefits.

The prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and correlation with MRI findings in CADASIL patients.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, timing, and functional impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) and to assess whether these neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the patients.

Methods: Our study included a total of 78 patients with CADASIL. To assess neuropsychiatric symptoms, we evaluated the caregivers using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Phase I Study Comparing the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Immunogenicity of CMAB015, a Candidate Secukinumab Biosimilar, with Its Reference Product Cosentyx in Healthy Chinese Male Subjects.

Purpose: Secukinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-17A, is approved for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. This study compared the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and immunogenicity of CMAB015, a candidate secukinumab biosimilar, with the reference product secukinumab (Cosentyx) in healthy Chinese male subjects.

Patients And Methods: This double-blind, parallel-group study randomized healthy Chinese male subjects (N=130) to receive either a single dose of 150 mg CMAB015 or secukinumab subcutaneously.

Trends in HPV-associated cancer incidence in Texas medically underserved regions.

Background: While cervical cancer incidence rates (IR) in the United States have dropped in the last 20 years, non-cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers increased. Many people in Texas (TX) live in medically underserved areas and have higher risk of developing HPV-associated cancers. Since previous studies of these regions focused on cervical cancer, we included other HPV-associated cancers in our analysis of IR in East TX and the TX-Mexico Border compared to other TX regions.

Activation of persulfate by g-CN/nZVI@SBC for degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon in groundwater.

In this study, we synthesized a high removal efficiency catalyst using biochar-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron and g-CN, denoted as g-CN/nZVI@SBC, to activate persulfate (PS) for the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in groundwater. We characterized the morphology and physiochemical properties of g-CN/nZVI@SBC with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), BET surface area analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To assess the performance of the g-CN/nZVI@SBC catalyst, we investigated various reaction parameters, such as the mass ratio of g-CN to nZVI@SBC, PS concentration, initial pH, initial TPH concentration, and the presence of coexisting ions in the system.

Association between Charlson comorbidity index and survival outcomes in patients with prostate cancer: A meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the influence of comorbidity, as assessed by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), on survival outcomes in patients with prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases to identify studies that examined the association between CCI-defined comorbidity and survival outcomes in PCa patients. We employed a random effect model to merge adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for survival outcomes.

Decreased retinal vascular density is associated with cognitive impairment in CADASIL: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess alterations in retinal vascular density in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and investigate their association with MRI and cognitive features.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with CADASIL and forty healthy controls were evaluated by Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 with AngioPlex OCTA to determine changes in macular retinal vasculature. Retinal vasculature parameters between two groups were compared.

A Randomized, Single-Dose, Parallel-Controlled Phase 1 Clinical Comparison of an Omalizumab Biosimilar Candidate with Reference Omalizumab in Healthy Chinese Male Volunteers.

This study evaluated the bioequivalence of omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against immunoglobulin-E (IgE), with one of its biosimilar candidates. The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial. A total of subjects who met the inclusion criteria and did not meet the exclusion criteria were dynamically randomly assigned to receive the test drug or the reference drug with a single subcutaneous injection of 150 mg by the minimization method.

Rural racial disparities and barriers in mammography utilization among Medicare beneficiaries in Texas: A longitudinal study.

This study examined rural racial/ethnic disparities in long-term mammography screening practices among Medicare beneficiaries. A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using 100% Texas Medicare data for women aged 65-74 who enrolled in Medicare between 2010-2013. Of the 114,939 eligible women, 21.

A SEER-Medicare Based Quality Score for Patients With Metastatic Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: Population-based studies evaluating outcomes for metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) are sparse and rarely capture both patients with de novo (synchronous) metastases and those who progress to metastatic disease (metachronous). Herein we evaluated the outcomes and costs associated with synchronous and metachronous mUTUC, utilizing a novel Methodology. Additionally, we created a guideline-based quality score to improve care in this space.

Association Between Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Retrospective Review of US Claims Data.

Background: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) consists of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and hypersensitivity to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Asthma is associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). However, there is lack of data on association between AERD and ASCVD.

Incomplete HPV Vaccination among Individuals Aged 27-45 Years in the United States: A Mixed-Effect Analysis of Individual and Contextual Factors.

In the United States, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is approved for use in individuals up to age 45. Individuals 15 years and older require three doses of the vaccine to complete the recommended dosing series. Incomplete HPV vaccination rates (i.

Randomized, double-blind, four-arm pilot study on the effects of chicken essence and type II collagen hydrolysate on joint, bone, and muscle functions.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability among older adults. Medical and surgical treatments are costly and associated with side effects. A natural nutraceutical, collagen hydrolysate, has received considerable attention due to its relieving effects on OA-associated symptoms.

Risk factors for early neurologic deterioration in single small subcortical infarction without carrier artery stenosis: predictors at the early stage.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the epidemiological features and explore the potential risk factors for early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute single small subcortical infarction (SSSI) who underwent antiplatelet therapy without carotid artery stenosis.

Materials & Methods: Patients with SSSI, as confirmed by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who were hospitalized within 48 h after the onset of symptoms were enrolled. END was mainly defined as increment in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥ 2 points or any new neurological deficit.

Development of genomic instability-associated long non-coding RNA signature: A prognostic risk model of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most lethal of all pathological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Genomic instability was recently reported to be related to the occurrence and development of kidney cancer. The biological roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis have been increasingly valued, and various lncRNAs were found to be oncogenes or cancer suppressors.

Two-Dimensional Janus Film with Au Nanoparticles Assembled on Trinuclear Gold(I) Pyrazolate Coordination Nanosheets for Photocatalytic H Evolution.

A two-dimensional (2D) Janus film with self-assembled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is a class of fascinating materials that may offer unprecedented opportunities to realize diverse applications due to their two distinct faces with anisotropic properties. In this work, we report a novel, straightforward strategy for the preparation of a bilayer coordination nanosheet (CONASH)/AuNP Janus film, where the CONASH features infinite trinuclear gold(I) pyrazolate cyclic complexes with electron-accepting viologen as bridges. The bilayer film has visible light absorption and redox properties and showcased promising photocatalytic H evolution activity by virtue of the formed unique heterojunction structure between AuNPs and CONASH.

Comparing costs of renal preservation versus radical nephroureterectomy management among patients with non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Background: To describe overall and categorical cost components in the management of patients with non-metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) according to treatment.

Methods: We identified 4,114 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic UTUC from 2004 to 2013 in the Survival Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database. Patients were stratified into renal preservation (RP) vs.

Management, Surveillance Patterns, and Costs Associated With Low-Grade Papillary Stage Ta Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Among Older Adults, 2004-2013.

Importance: Low-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is associated with extremely low rates of progression and cancer-specific mortality; however, patients with low-risk NMIBC may often receive non-guideline-recommended and potentially costly surveillance testing and treatment.

Objective: To describe current surveillance and treatment practices, cancer outcomes, and costs of care for low-grade papillary stage Ta (low-grade Ta) NMIBC and identify factors associated with increased cost of care.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based cohort study identified 13 054 older adults (aged 66-90 years) diagnosed with low-grade Ta tumors in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-linked Medicare database from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2013.

Long term cost comparisons of radical cystectomy versus trimodal therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Background: Earlier studies on the cost of muscle-invasive bladder cancer treatments are limited to short-term costs of care. We determined the 2- and 5-year costs associated with trimodal therapy (TMT) vs. radical cystectomy (RC).

Geographic distribution of racial differences in mortality in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients: an opportunity for improvement.

Objectives: To determine the geographic distribution of muscle-invasive bladder cancer mortality according to race in the United States (US). African Americans (AAs) have up to two times the risk of bladder cancer mortality compared to Caucasians. Bladder cancer mortality increases exponentially once it invades the muscle.