Improving estimation efficiency for survival data analysis by integrating a coarsened time-to-event outcome from an external study.

In the era of big data, increasing availability of data makes combining different data sources to obtain more accurate estimations a popular topic. However, the development of data integration is often hindered by the heterogeneity in data forms across studies. In this paper, we focus on a case in survival analysis where we have primary study data with a continuous time-to-event outcome and complete covariate measurements, while the data from an external study contain an outcome observed at regular intervals, and only a subset of covariates is measured.

Education Research: Making a Tweetorial Fly: Features of Educational Social Media Posts Associated With High Sharing and Engagement.

Background And Objectives: Social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) are increasingly used in medical education. Characteristics of tweetorials (threaded teaching posts) associated with higher degrees of engagement are unknown. We sought to understand features of neurology-themed tweetorials associated with high sharing and engagement.

Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplements for Sarcopenia in Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Sarcopenia, a key aspect of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis (LC), affects 30-70% of LC patients. Given the inconsistent results from RCTs on branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) for treating sarcopenia in LC, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of BCAAs for sarcopenia management in LC patients.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing evidence from RCTs obtained from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to April 2024.

Social vulnerability index associated with higher COVID-19 seroprevalence in Nigeria.

Social vulnerability has been shown to be a strong predictor of disparities in health outcomes. A common approach to estimating social vulnerability is using a composite index, such as the social vulnerability index (SVI), which combines multiple factors corresponding to key social determinants of health. Lawal and Osayomi created an SVI to explore key social determinants of health-related COVID-19 infection among the Nigerian population.

Implementation of a Digital Health Technology Platform Improves Neurosurgical Resident Communication Skills.

Introduction: Surgical residency lacks standardized curricula for teaching interpersonal and communication skills. We evaluated the utility of a digital health communication platform, Playback Health, that generates audiovisual recordings of patient-provider interactions as a tool for junior neurosurgical resident education.

Methods: Junior (postgraduate year (PGY)-2 and PGY-3) neurosurgical residents rated their comfort working with five attending neurosurgeons (one of whom implemented Playback Health) across 10 categories, grouped into three overarching domains encompassing knowledge base, technical skills, and interpersonal skills on a 10-point Likert scale.

Systemic Metabolic Alterations after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Plasma Metabolomics Approach.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) causes systemic changes that contribute to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and morbidity. Circulating metabolites reflecting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms warrant investigation as biomarker candidates.

Methods: Blood samples, prospectively collected within 24 hours (T1) of admission and 7-days (T2) post ictus, from patients with acute aSAH from two tertiary care centers were retrospectively analyzed.

Cancer associated fibroblasts drive epithelial to mesenchymal transition and classical to basal change in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells with loss of IL-8 expression.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) carries an extremely poor prognosis, in part resulting from cellular heterogeneity that supports overall tumorigenicity. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) are key determinants of PDAC biology and response to systemic therapy. While CAF subtypes have been defined, the effects of patient-specific CAF heterogeneity and plasticity on tumor cell behavior remain unclear.

Subcontinental Genetic Diversity in the Research Program: Implications for Biomedical Research.

The Research Program () seeks to accelerate biomedical research and address the underrepresentation of minorities by recruiting over one million ethnically diverse participants across the United States. A key question is how self-identification with discrete, predefined race and ethnicity categories compares to genetic diversity at continental and subcontinental levels. To contextualize the genetic diversity in , we analyzed ~2 million common variants from 230,016 unrelated whole genomes using classical population genetics methods, alongside reference panels such as the 1000 Genomes Project, Human Genome Diversity Project, and Simons Genome Diversity Project.

Risk of Severe Hypoglycemia After Initiation of Noninsulin Glucose-Lowering Therapies in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes at Moderate Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

In this emulated comparative effectiveness target trial of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, and sulfonylurea therapy among adults with type 2 diabetes at moderate cardiovascular disease risk, sulfonylurea use was associated with a significantly higher risk of hypoglycemia requiring emergency department or hospital care than treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or SGLT2 inhibitors. This consideration can guide the choice of glucose-lowering therapy in this highly prevalent patient population, in whom avoidance of hypoglycemia is important, yet among whom the risk of severe hypoglycemia has not been examined previously.

Role of Robotics in Image-Guided Trans-Arterial Interventions.

The integration of robotic systems in image-guided trans-arterial interventions has revolutionized the field of Interventional Radiology (IR), offering enhanced precision, safety, and efficiency. These advancements are particularly impactful for acute conditions such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, and STEMI, where timely intervention is critical. Robotic platforms like the CorPath GRX and Magellan allow for remote navigation and catheter-based interventions, making it possible to extend specialized services to remote and underserved areas.

Bridging Therapies-Ex Vivo Liver Xenoperfusion and the Role of Machine Perfusion: An Update.

Advancements in xenotransplantation intersecting with modern machine perfusion technology offer promising solutions to patients with liver failure providing a valuable bridge to transplantation and extending graft viability beyond current limitations. Patients facing acute or acute chronic liver failure, post-hepatectomy liver failure, or fulminant hepatic failure often require urgent liver transplants which are severely limited by organ shortage, emphasizing the importance of effective bridging approaches. Machine perfusion is now increasingly used to test and use genetically engineered porcine livers in translational studies, addressing the limitations and costs of non-human primate models.

Exploration of linear and interpretable models for quantification of cell parameters via contactless short-wave infrared hyperspectral sensing.

The development of optical sensors for label-free quantification of cell parameters has numerous uses in the biomedical arena. However, using current optical probes requires the laborious collection of sufficiently large datasets that can be used to calibrate optical probe signals to true metabolite concentrations. Further, most practitioners find it difficult to confidently adapt black box chemometric models that are difficult to troubleshoot in high-stakes applications such as biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Large donor CRISPR for whole-CDS replacement of cell adhesion molecule LRRTM2.

The cell adhesion molecule Leucine-Rich Repeat Transmembrane neuronal protein 2 (LRRTM2) is crucial for synapse development and function. However, our understanding of its endogenous trafficking has been limited due to difficulties in manipulating its coding sequence (CDS) using standard genome editing techniques. Instead, we replaced the entire LRRTM2 CDS by adapting a two-guide CRISPR knock-in method, enabling complete control of LRRTM2.

Endo-Bentall Repair: Early Results and Feasibility of a Physician-Constructed Endo-Bentall Device.

Objective: We present our experience with endovascular Bentall procedure (Endo-Bentall) using a modular valve conduit (Endo-Bentall) in high-risk patients with aortic root pathologies.

Methods: The physician constructed Endo-Bentall device is composed of a self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve (TAVR), aortic endovascular stent graft (TEVAR), and two wire-reinforced fenestrations for coronary artery stenting. The TAVR valve is sutured into an appropriately sized TEVAR graft.

From Zone -1 to Zone 3: Feasibility and Safety of Complex Endovascular Aortic Repairs in Type A Aortic Dissection.

Objective: Over 30% of patients presenting with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) are considered high - risk or inoperable. This study aims to investigate the early and mid-term outcomes of complex endovascular aortic repair of aortic root, ascending aorta, and aortic arch among patients with ATAAD.

Methods: From January 2018 to January 2023, 29 patients who were considered high risk for open operation underwent endovascular aortic repair.

Immunogenicity and safety of a monovalent omicron XBB.1.5 SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine as a heterologous booster dose in US adults: interim analysis of a single-arm phase 2/3 study.

Background: Authorities globally recommended a monovalent omicron XBB.1.5-based COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-24 season.

Regulatory workshop on standardisation of clinical procedures, endpoints and data robustness of human challenge studies - A stakeholder meeting report.

Inno4Vac, a public-private partnership funded by the IMI2/EU/EFPIA Joint Undertaking (IMI2 JU), brings together academic institutions, SMEs, and pharmaceutical companies to accelerate and de-risk vaccine development. The project has made significant strides in the selection and production of challenge agents for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and toxigenic Clostridioides difficile for controlled human infection model studies (CHIMs). A regulatory workshop held on March 20, 2024, addressed the standardisation of clinical procedures, ethical considerations, endpoints, and data integrity, highlighting the ongoing initiatives related to these CHIMs.

Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19 Positive Critically Ill Children.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in children admitted to critical care diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

Design: Retrospective database study.

Setting: Data reported to the Virtual Pediatric Systems, 2018-2021.

Systematic review of the effects of topical oxygen therapy on wound healing.

Background: Various adjunct therapies are available for wound healing in addition to standard care. Topical oxygen therapy (TCOT) is one such novel therapy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of TCOT in the healing of cutaneous wounds of any etiology.

Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19 Positive Critically Ill Children.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in children admitted to critical care diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

Design: Retrospective database study.

Setting: Data reported to the Virtual Pediatric Systems, 2018-2021.

Association of Step Count with Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Results from the Virtual 2-Minute Step Test.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that step count based on a virtual 2-minute step test (2MST) predicts cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Veteran Affairs Medical Centers participating in a randomized trial of functional exercise training delivered by videoconferencing.