Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Real-World Study of Biologics and Sinus Surgery Use for Managing Nasal Polyposis.

Background/aim: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystemic disease associated with nasal polyposis. Multiple biologics are used for managing EGPA, including some approved for nasal polyps (NP). This study investigated real-world biologic prescription patterns for EGPA and their impact on NP and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) use.

Comparative Effectiveness of Calcium-Channel Blockers, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers and Diuretics on Cardiovascular Events Likelihood in Hypertensive African-American and Non-Hispanic Caucasians: A Retrospective Study Across HCA Healthcare.

Background: Hypertension, a leading global risk factor for mortality and disability, disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities. Our study investigates the association between the type of prior antihypertensive medication use and the likelihood of cardiovascular events (CVE) and assesses whether the patient's race influences this relationship.

Methods: A retrospective study of 14 836 hypertension cases aged ≥ 40 years was conducted using data from HCA Healthcare between 2017 and 2023.

Coccidioidal Meningitis in a Patient With HIV.

Coccidioidal meningitis is a rare yet life-threatening complication of disseminated infection, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.  and  are dimorphic fungi endemic to the southwestern United States, where exposure to inhaled spores can lead to a range of clinical manifestations, including pulmonary and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. This report describes the case of a 27-year-old correctional officer with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented with chronic headaches, altered mental status, and significant weight loss following his relocation from Arizona to Louisiana.

Hyponatremia with an Osmolar Gap, Pseudohyponatremia or Hyper-Osmolar Hyponatremia?

Pseudohyponatremia is frequently misunderstood and often mistaken for other types of hyponatremia. In this study, we present a case of pseudohyponatremia resulting from hypertriglyceridemia. We provide an in-depth analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, comparing them with those of other hyponatremic disorders, and outline the diagnostic approach used to identify this atypical form of hyponatremia.

Clinical outcomes from blended care therapy for anxiety and depression in the year after treatment.

Background: Scalable evidence-based treatments for anxiety and depression, such as blended care therapy (BCT) that integrate digital tools are effective, but reporting on long-term outcomes is limited.

Method: This pragmatic observational study examined the symptom stability and trajectories of individuals in the year following engagement in a BCT program. Participants included adults with clinical anxiety and/or depression measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) or Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Variation in faecal testosterone levels in male gray whales on a foraging ground relative to maturity and timing.

Understanding wildlife reproductive seasonality is crucial for effective management and long-term monitoring of species. This study investigates the seasonal variability of testosterone in male Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales, using an eight-year dataset (2016-2023) of individual sightings, drone-based photogrammetry and endocrine analysis of faecal samples. We analyzed the relationship between faecal testosterone levels and total body length (TL), body condition (body area index, BAI), sexual maturity and day of the year using generalized additive mixed models.

Single- versus two-test criteria for cognitive impairment: associations with CSF and imaging markers in former American football players.

 Cognitive impairment is a core feature of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES), the putative clinical syndrome of chronic traumatic encephalopathy-a neuropathological disease associated with repetitive head impacts (RHI). Careful operationalization of cognitive impairment is essential to improving the diagnostic specificity and accuracy of TES criteria. We compared single- versus two-test criteria for cognitive impairment in their associations with CSF and imaging biomarkers in male former American football players.

A climatically significant abiotic mechanism driving carbon loss and nitrogen limitation in peat bogs.

Sphagnum-dominated bogs are climatically impactful systems that exhibit two puzzling characteristics: CO:CH ratios are greater than those predicted by electron balance models and C decomposition rates are enigmatically slow. We hypothesized that Maillard reactions partially explain both phenomena by increasing apparent CO production via eliminative decarboxylation and sequestering bioavailable nitrogen (N). We tested this hypothesis using incubations of sterilized Maillard reactants, and live and sterilized bog peat.

Autoimmune encephalitis: recovery, residual symptoms and predictors of long-term sequelae.

Background: Data regarding long-term recovery from autoimmune encephalitis (AE) remain limited.

Methods: This retrospective observational study investigated outcomes in 182 patients who met the 2016 criteria for definite AE. Recovery data were available in 172 patients.

Serologic diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica infection based on the gradient-based digital immunoassay.

Background: Entamoeba histolytica is a parasite that could cause severe amebiasis, an extremely contagious parasitic disease with critical clinical symptoms. Timely diagnosis and treatment of E. histolytica are crucial for preventing complications and fatalities.

Performance of the pooled cohort equations and D:A:D risk scores among individuals with HIV in a global cardiovascular disease prevention trial: a cohort study leveraging data from REPRIEVE.

Background: Risk estimation is an essential component of cardiovascular disease prevention among people with HIV. We aimed to characterise how well atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk scores used in clinical guidelines perform among people with HIV globally.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study leveraging REPRIEVE data, we included participants aged 40-75 years, with low-to-moderate traditional cardiovascular risk, not taking statin therapy.

Performance on the Concussion Balance Test Is Indicative of Time to Recovery in Athletes Following Sports-Related Concussion: An Exploratory Analysis.

Objective: Sports-related concussions (SRCs) are commonly occurring injuries among athletic and recreationally active populations. SRCs can result in vestibular dysfunction that should resolve before returning to activity. It has been suggested that vestibular impairment is a factor that may influence recovery time.

Gaze Stability Test Asymmetry Before and After Individualized Rehabilitation in Youth Athletes With Concussion.

Context: Concussion causes physiological disruptions, including disruptions to the vestibular and visual systems, which can cause dizziness, imbalance, and blurry vision. The vestibular ocular reflex functions to maintain a stable visual field, which can be measured using the gaze stability test (GST).

Design: This preliminary study used retrospective chart review to examine changes in GST performance and asymmetry in a sample of 117 youth athletes with concussion (mean age = 14.

Predictive value of enhanced corneal biomechanical parameters for ectasia progression.

Purpose: To determine whether corneal biomechanical parameters can predict ectasia progression.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: The baseline corneal biomechanical parameters of 64 eyes of 41 young patients (age, < 25 years at the first visit) who were diagnosed with keratoconus (KC) or suspected KC at Osaka University Hospital and followed up for more than two years were reviewed.

WearMoCap: multimodal pose tracking for ubiquitous robot control using a smartwatch.

We present WearMoCap, an open-source library to track the human pose from smartwatch sensor data and leveraging pose predictions for ubiquitous robot control. WearMoCap operates in three modes: 1) a Watch Only mode, which uses a smartwatch only, 2) a novel Upper Arm mode, which utilizes the smartphone strapped onto the upper arm and 3) a Pocket mode, which determines body orientation from a smartphone in any pocket. We evaluate all modes on large-scale datasets consisting of recordings from up to 8 human subjects using a range of consumer-grade devices.

Phoenix Comprehensive Assessment of Pectus Excavatum Symptoms (PCAPES).

Background: Pectus excavatum (PE) can cause cardiopulmonary compression with a wide range of symptoms and psychosocial effects. Few validated surveys assess the extensive symptomatology of the adult pectus population. A comprehensive symptom survey was developed and validated with outcomes presented.

Teleguided photocoagulation treatments across continents with a remotely programmed laser for retinal diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion represent two prevalent vision-threatening retinal diseases. Retinal laser therapy still plays an important role in treating these conditions, but its successful administration often requires referral to specialized centers and retina experts. It is, therefore, essential to develop a new treatment methodology that enables patients to benefit from the expertise of specialists from reference centers.

Prolonged nightly fasting in older adults with memory decline: A single-group pilot study exploring changes in cognitive function and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Introduction: Older age significantly increases risk for cognitive decline. A growing number of older adults (≥ 65 years) experience cognitive decline that compromises immediate and/or long-term health. Interventions to mitigate cognitive decline are greatly needed.

Associations Among Emotion Regulation, COVID Stress, Alcohol Use, and Intimate Partner Aggression Among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: Intimate partner aggression (IPA) increased after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, the current study examined associations among emotion regulation (ER) difficulties (an enduring vulnerability), COVID stress (a current stressor), alcohol use (a maladaptive coping strategy), and physical, psychological, and cyber IPA perpetration during the first eight months of the pandemic.

Method: Participants were 215 college students in current relationships from three universities across the US.

Does coenzyme Q10 improve semen quality and circulating testosterone level? a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Seminal oxidative stress has been shown to be a key factor in the development of male infertility. However, the benefits of infertility treatments with antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) remains controversial.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on semen quality, i.

a new species from Western North America.

A new species of section is described based on collections made in Arizona (USA). The new species is found in high-elevation, conifer dominated forests in the American Southwest, and it fruits directly on conifer wood or wood debris/conifer duff under . Based on the phylogenetic analyses of ITS and translation elongation factor 1-alpha () sequences, is closely related to , but it differs in the smaller basidiospores, less distinct ornamentation on the pleurocystidia and habitat.

Rare Finding of Rectal Squamous Metaplasia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Rectal squamous metaplasia in inflammatory bowel disease is rare. We present 2 cases of rectal squamous metaplasia, one in a patient with Crohn's disease and another with ulcerative colitis. Given the risk of malignant transformation, dysplasia surveillance is important particularly in areas of chronic inflammation.