Phenotypic Heterogeneity of ADTKD-MUC1 Diagnosed Using VNtyper, a Novel Genetic Technique.

Rationale & Objective: Molecular diagnosis of autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD) due to variants in the MUC1 gene has long been challenging since variants lie in a large Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) region, making identification impossible using standard short read techniques. Previously, we addressed this diagnostic limitation by developing a computational pipeline, named VNtyper, for easier reliable detection of MUC1 VNTR pathogenic variants from short read sequences. This led to unexpected diagnoses of ADTKD-MUC1 among patients with kidney disease referred for genetic testing, which we report here.

Association with Outcome of the Regurgitant-Volume Adjusted Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: In patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) may not accurately reflect the actual RV systolic performance since a considerable amount of the RV stroke volume (SV) is regurgitated back into the right atrium. To overcome this limitation, we explored the association with the outcome of the effective RVEF (eRVEF), which accounts for the tricuspid regurgitant volume (RegVol).

Methods: 513 patients with STR (mean age 75±13 years, 39% atrial STR, 58% severe) underwent complete two-, three-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiography.

Paracetamol prior to catheter balloon insertion for labor induction - A randomized controlled trial: paracetamol prior to catheter-balloon insertion for labor induction.

Background: Assessing maternal pain and satisfaction following administration of paracetamol vs. placebo prior to catheter balloon placement.

Methods: Primiparous women at term admitted for medically-indicated labor induction were randomized to receive intravenous paracetamol 1 gram in 100cc normal saline (N=71) or placebo of 100cc normal saline (N=70) prior to catheter balloon insertion.

Bidirectional Associations Between Parent-Child Conflict and Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Objective: To estimate the longitudinal bidirectional association between parent-child conflict and child externalizing and internalizing symptoms from the preschool years through adolescence.

Method: A nationally representative longitudinal study recruited 11,134 children at birth and followed them from December 2010 through June 2022. Primary caregivers completed validated measures at each follow-up, yielding data on parent-child conflict and child symptoms at ages 3, 5, 7, 9, and 13 years.

The association between county-level social determinants of health and cardio-kidney-metabolic disease attributed all-cause mortality in the US: A cross sectional analysis.

Background: The American Heart Association recently defined cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome as the intersection between metabolic, renal, and cardiovascular disease. Understanding the contemporary estimates of CKM related mortality in the US is essential for developing targeted public interventions.

Methods: We analyzed state-level and county-level CKM-associated all-cause mortality data (2010-2019) from the CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER).

Preconception GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Associated with Decreased Risk for Adverse Obstetric Outcomes.

Background: The use of glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has greatly increased in patients of reproductive age within the past four years. However, there is minimal research into the long-term impact of these medications on future pregnancies.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the association between adverse obstetric outcomes and antecedent GLP-1RA use using a nationally representative database.

No Difference in Outcomes with Early vs. Late Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Term PROM: A Multi-Center Analysis.

Background: While guidelines suggest administering antibiotics 12 to 18 hours after the rupture of membranes in term premature rupture of membranes (PROM) women, in practice, clinicians tend to initiate prophylactic antibiotics as soon as possible to avoid risk of infection.

Objective: This study aimed to assess whether early administration of prophylactic antibiotics for term premature rupture of membranes reduces the incidence of maternal and neonatal infections.

Study Design: This multi-center, prospective cohort study included women with term premature rupture of membranes.

The microcirculation : master in normal pregnancy, puppet in preeclampsia.

Objective: To investigate the association between functional parameters of the microcirculation and the systemic cardiovascular system in a population of pregnant women at risk for gestational hypertension disorders.

Study Design: For this observational study, women at high cardiovascular risk according to maternal anthropometrics, obstetric and medical history, were recruited at random gestational age depending on time of referral to the outpatient clinic for high risk prenatal care at Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk Belgium. After birth, data of maternal and neonatal outcome were obtained from the hospital records: only women with normal pregnancy (n = 142) and with preeclampsia (n = 34) were included in this analysis.

Ovarian sex cord-stromal cell tumors and the risk of sex hormone-sensitive cancers.

Background: Sex cord-stromal cell tumors (SCST) are rare tumors of the ovary. Some of the SCSTs secrete hormone originating from the sex or stromal cell of the ovaries. Previous studies have indicated an increased risk of breast and endometrial cancers.

A novel Sai-based antioxidant agent attenuates antibody-mediated rejection in allogeneic rat kidney transplantation.

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) remains a leading cause of graft loss during kidney transplantation. Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) has been reported to promote T-cell proliferation, leading to B-cell activation and subsequent production of donor-specific antibodies (DSA), which target antigens on the vascular endothelium. We hypothesize that a novel therapeutic strategy targeting highly toxic reactive oxygen species could mitigate oxidative stress and immune responses associated with IRI.

Association between bariatric surgery after kidney transplantation and graft and survival outcomes.

Bariatric surgery has been shown to be safe in chronic kidney disease and improves access of patients to transplantation. Whether bariatric surgery after kidney transplantation associates with improved graft or patient survival has not been examined nationally. We included adults with obesity who received a first kidney transplant according to the US Renal Data System between 2003-2019.

Downregulation of N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) Methylation of Sema4D mRNA Contributes to Treg Dysfunction and Allograft Rejection.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been shown to be involved in the induction of transplantation tolerance in numerous models. Our previous work demonstrated that METTL14 loss impaired Treg function and hindered the establishment of transplantation tolerance. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Association Between Maternal Lead Exposure from Seafood Consumption and Neurodevelopment: A Systematic Review.

Background: Despite the essential nutrients, maternal seafood consumption during pregnancy or lactation (PL) is also a potential source of toxins, including lead (Pb). The association between exposure to Pb from seafood during PL on children's neurodevelopment is uncertain.

Objective: This systematic review assessed the association of exposure to Pb from seafood during PL on children's neurodevelopment.

Does routine use of sporicidal disinfectants for all post-discharge hospital rooms reduce environmental contamination with Clostridioides difficile spores?

In a culture survey of 30 U.S. hospitals, rates of Clostridioides difficile spore contamination after cleaning and disinfection of non-C.

Staffing Paradigm for Infection Prevention and Control in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance: the Veterans Health Administration Experience.

Antimicrobial resistance and other emerging healthcare complexities continue to challenge infection prevention and control (IPC) resources. The Veterans Health Administration developed a comprehensive prevention approach to address multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), including a unique staffing model to complement infection preventionists. In particular, the MDRO Prevention Coordinator was established to support MDRO prevention initiatives.

Infection Prevention observations and the expectations of cleaning practices in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)/In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Clinic: The Challenges.

Infection Prevention (IP) observations in clinic and procedure areas is a growing area of interest and concern. IP guidance for observations in an IVF clinic are challenging. This is related to care of the mom and the embryo.

Impact of antibiotic treatment and predictors for subsequent infections in multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Background: The rate of antibiotic treatment for catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria (CA-ASB) remains high.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving hospitalized patients with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP) CA-ASB. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify predictors for subsequent symptomatic infections in patients with MDRP CA-ASB.

Robotic versus manual disinfection of global priority pathogens at COVID-19 dedicated hospitals.

Background: Twelve bacterial families were identified as global priority pathogens by the World Health Organization in 2017, recognizing the greatest threat they pose to human health and the declining antibiotic efficacy. Robotics has emerged as a swift and contactless tool for disinfecting bacterial surface contamination in healthcare facilities, however, head-to-head comparison of disinfection efficacy of robotic versus manual disinfections is limited. This study aimed at comparing how robotic disinfection performs over manual disinfection against the global priority pathogens in the healthcare setting.

Comment on "Surgical Morbidity following Planned Hysterectomy versus Conservative Management for Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis".

Not applicable.