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.

Insights from social media into public perspectives on investigative genetic genealogy.

Social media sites like X (formerly Twitter) increasingly serve as spaces for the public to discuss controversial topics. Social media can spark extreme viewpoints and spread biased or inaccurate information while simultaneously allowing for debate around policy-relevant topics. The arrest of Joseph J.

Genetic deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of cGAS-STING signalling suppresses kidney inflammation and fibrosis.

Background And Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterised by inflammation, which can lead to tubular atrophy and fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the functional role of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)- stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling in renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Mixed vulnerabilities: the biological risk of high parity is aggravated by emergency referral in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.

Identification of interacting vulnerabilities is essential to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). High parity (≥ 5 previous births) is an underemphasized biological vulnerability linked to poverty and affecting a sizeable proportion of SSA births. Despite increased risk, high parity women rarely use hospitals for childbirth.

Systematic ocular phenotyping of 8,707 knockout mouse lines identifies genes associated with abnormal corneal phenotypes.

Purpose: Corneal dysmorphologies (CDs) are typically classified as either regressive degenerative corneal dystrophies (CDtrs) or defective growth and differentiation-driven corneal dysplasias (CDyps). Both eye disorders have multifactorial etiologies. While previous work has elucidated many aspects of CDs, such as presenting symptoms, epidemiology, and pathophysiology, the genetic mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

A potential VEGF-driven hypothesis of calvarial centripetal proliferation in cerebral proliferative angiopathy.

Cerebral proliferative angiopathy (CPA) is a rare subtype of cerebral arteriovenous malformation, characterized by unique angiographic features and clinical presentations. Although the clinical and angiographic characteristics of CPA have been well described, their impact on the surrounding tissues remains underexplored. Herein, we investigated the presence of calvarial thickening in patients with CPA, and discuss its potential pathogenesis.

Association between chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and cardiovascular disease.

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a medical condition characterized by severe and prolonged fatigue that is not relieved by rest or attributed to any underlying medical or psychological condition. Individuals with CFS/ME are considered to have an increased risk of a wide range of comorbid conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The association between CFS/ME and CVD is not fully understood.

Proteomic characterization and comparison of the infective and adult life stage secretomes from Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum.

More than 470 million people globally are infected with the hookworms Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Necator americanus, resulting in an annual loss of 2.1 to 4 million disability-adjusted-life-years. Current infection management approaches are limited by modest drug efficacy, the costs associated with frequent mass drug administration campaigns, and the risk of reinfection and burgeoning drug resistance.

Addressing cardiovascular health risk factors in American Indian/Alaska Native Children: A narrative review.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults and represents the leading cause of mortality. Risk factors for CVD in AI/AN adults are well-described, and a growing body of evidence reports the inequitable prevalence of factors associated with the development of CVD in AI/AN children, including obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Objective: This article organizes and summarizes the evidence describing CVD risk factors in AI/AN children, discusses the social drivers of health impacting these risks, and highlights several programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in improving AI/AN child health.

Omnidirectional Wireless Power Transfer for Millimetric Magnetoelectric Biomedical Implants.

Miniature bioelectronic implants promise revolutionary therapies for cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Wireless power transfer (WPT) is a significant method for miniaturization, eliminating the need for bulky batteries in today's devices. Despite successful demonstrations of millimetric battery-free implants in animal models, the robustness and efficiency of WPT are known to degrade significantly under misalignment incurred by body movements, respiration, heart beating, and limited control of implant orientation during surgery.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes after Fetoscopic Myelomeningocele Repair.

Objectives: To report the neurodevelopmental outcomes after a fetoscopic myelomeningocele (MMC) repair and to compare them with children who had an open-hysterotomy repair or a postnatal repair.

Study Design: 132 infants were included (prenatal repair: 93 [69 fetoscopic and 24 open-hysterotomy]; postnatal repair: 39). Neurodevelopmental outcomes at or beyond 18 months were evaluated by a developmental pediatrician using the Capute scales (Clinical Adaptive Test [CAT]/ Clinical Linguistic & Auditory Milestone Scale [CLAMS]) and/or during parental interview using Developmental Profile 3 (DP-3) test.

Characterization and Targeting of the Main Drivers of Elective Imaging Utilization: A Cross-sectional Study Applying Conjoint Analysis.

Objective: To characterize patient and referring physician preferences when selecting where to have elective imaging performed METHODS: In this Institutional Research Board approved survey-based study, online surveys were completed by 393 patients who had recently had a non-contrast MRI of the shoulder, lumbar spine, or knee within the past 2 years and 168 physicians who had ordered at least 12 such MRIs in the past year. The survey data included explicit questions about preferences as well as a set of conjoint choice screens. Conjoint analysis utilized a logistic model estimated using maximum likelihood estimation.

A multifactorial, evidence-based analysis of pathophysiology in Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States has been studying a fascinating and unique constellation of neuro-ophthalmic findings collectively known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). SANS is unique to the space environment of microgravity and produces novel physiological and pathological findings that have no direct terrestrial equivalent. The neuro-ophthalmic phenomenon is a major physiologic barrier to future planetary spaceflight.

Primary Antibody Deficiencies: Curation Of Gene-Disease Relationships Using A ClinGen Validation Framework.

Background: The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) is an international collaborative effort between scientists and clinicians, diagnostic and research laboratories as well as the patient community. Using a standardized framework, ClinGen has established guidelines to classify gene-disease relationships as Definitive, Strong, Moderate, and Limited based on available scientific and clinical evidence. When the genetic and functional evidence for a gene-disease relationship has conflicting interpretations or contradictory evidence, they can be Disputed or Refuted.

International Expert-Based Consensus Definition, Classification Criteria, and Minimum Data Elements for Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: An Inter-Disciplinary Modified Delphi Study.

Purpose: Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a severe iatrogenic disease characterized by bone death after radiation therapy (RT) to the head and neck. With over 9 published definitions and at least 16 classification systems, the true incidence and severity of ORNJ are obscured by lack of a standard for disease definition and severity assessment, leading to inaccurate estimation of incidence, reporting ambiguity, and likely under-diagnosis worldwide. This study aimed to achieve consensus on an explicit definition and phenotype of ORNJ and related precursor states through data standardization to facilitate effective diagnosis, monitoring, and multidisciplinary management of ORNJ.

Beta-Blockers After PCI for Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Background: Limited data exist on the long-term impact of beta-blocker therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of early beta-blocker initiation vs no initiation following PCI in patients with stable CAD and preserved LVEF.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study employed target trial emulation and incident user design, utilizing the TriNetx database (2009-2024).

New insights into gold nanoparticles in virology: A review of their applications in the prevention, detection, and treatment of viral infections.

Viral infections have led to the deaths of millions worldwide and come with significant economic and social burdens. Emerging viral infections, as witnessed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), can profoundly affect all aspects of human life, highlighting the imperative need to develop diagnostic, therapeutic, and effective control strategies in response. Numerous studies highlight the diverse applications of nanoparticles in diagnosing, controlling, preventing, and treating viral infections.

Adverse outcomes in monochorionic twins with amniotic fluid abnormalities without TTTS: A Case-Control study.

Objective: Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with amniotic fluid abnormalities that do not meet criteria for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) concern physicians and families. This study aimed to describe the natural history of amniotic fluid abnormalities.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, TTTS screening ultrasounds and clinical records throughout all MCDA twin gestations were reviewed between 2018 and 2022 at a tertiary fetal care center.

Real-World Experience With Maribavir for Treatment of Refractory or Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients and Hematologic Malignancy Patients.

Background: Refractory and/or resistant (R/R) cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Maribavir, an oral antiviral agent, was approved in November 2021 for the treatment of R/R CMV in transplant recipients. However, real-world data on the use of maribavir in HCT recipients and hematologic malignancy (HM) patients are limited.

Cohort study on the Effect of various nicotine consumption modalities on Mohs surgery complications.

Knowledge on the effect of different nicotine consumption modalities on dermatologic surgical outcomes is limited, with conflicting conclusions. Cigarette smoking is known to adversely affect outcomes, but the impact of other nicotine consumption modalities like cigars, smokeless tobacco, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is less understood. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of various nicotine consumption modalities on complication rates after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma-NOS in Children and Adolescents: a Review from the Children's Oncology Group NHL Committee.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) is a rare mature T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) seen in both children and adults. While it is the most common non-anaplastic mature T-cell lymphoma of childhood, it is quite rare and therefore, the standard of care remains largely undefined. It is a disease characterized by clinical and pathological heterogeneity and is generally associated with an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis in adults.

The Association Between Father Support and Daughter Physical Activity: Insights From a Study Involving U.S. Latina Pre-Teens.

Purpose: Social support, particularly from family, is crucial for physical activity (PA) among youth. This study examined the association between father support and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Latina pre-teens and explored the moderating role of body mass index (BMI).

Design: Cross-sectional analysis.

New onset refractory status epilepticus: Long-term outcomes beyond seizures.

We propose and prioritize important outcome domains that should be considered for future research investigating long-term outcomes (LTO) after new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). The study was led by the international NORSE Institute LTO Working Group. First, literature describing the LTO of NORSE survivors was identified using a PubMed search and summarized to identify knowledge gaps.