Technical considerations of cardiac computed tomography in children.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a valuable tool in the assessment of congenital and acquired cardiac disease in children. The goal of cardiac CTA is to produce images that are free of motion and provide sufficient characterization of the anatomy in question. Given the complexity of pediatric patient characteristics, including patient size, heart rate, breath-holding capability, and variant anatomy, cardiac CTA technique must be individualized to the patient as well as the indication to answer the clinical question while also minimizing radiation exposure.

General Kernel Machine Methods for Multi-Omics Integration and Genome-Wide Association Testing With Related Individuals.

Integrating multi-omics data may help researchers understand the genetic underpinnings of complex traits and diseases. However, the best ways to integrate multi-omics data and use them to address pressing scientific questions remain a challenge. One important and topical problem is how to assess the aggregate effect of multiple genomic data types (e.

Assessing Clinical Improvement of Infants Hospitalized for Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Related Critical Illness.

Background: Pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) commonly requires hospitalization. The Clinical Progression Scale Pediatrics (CPS-Ped) measures level of respiratory support and degree of hypoxia across a range of disease severity, but it has not been applied in infants hospitalized with severe RSV-LRTI.

Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective surveillance registry of infants hospitalized for RSV-related complications across 39 U.

Reduction of vancomycin-associated acute kidney injury with montelukast.

Background: Vancomycin ranks amongst the most utilized antimicrobial agents in the treatment of serious β-lactam-resistant Gram-positive infections, but its use has been associated with nephrotoxicity. Reduction of acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in pre-clinical models with adjuvant montelukast. The purpose of the study was to ascertain if montelukast was associated with a reduction in the prevalence of vancomycin-associated AKI.

Immediate skin-to-skin contact and postpartum hemorrhagic morbidity.

Objective: To examine rates of postpartum hemorrhagic (PPH) morbidity among patients who did and did not have immediate skin-to-skin contact (SSC).

Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort of all non-anomalous, term singleton vaginal births at a Level IV center over 2 years. Exclusion criteria included COVID-19.

Thoracic endovascular repair of a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm with in situ laser fenestration of the left subclavian and left common carotid artery.

Most thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are asymptomatic and often diagnosed at the time of rupture. TAAs involving the proximal arch require adequate coverage with thoracic endovascular aortic repair, which is timely and challenging in emergent ruptures. In situ laser fenestration is a novel method of arch revascularization.

Use of Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Review.

Immunoglobulins (Igs) are produced by B lymphocytes and play a key role in humoral immunity. Igs are classified into five isotypes (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD). Their primary function is to recognize and bind to foreign antigens.

Durable Remission After Targeted Therapy in Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Case Report.

BRAF mutation leads to constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway and is associated with the immune-activating molecular subtype of colorectal cancer. Targeted therapy for mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) has significantly improved outcomes for these patients when combined with anti-epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. However, most patients ultimately develop disease progression.

Expert Clinical Management of Inflammatory Immune-Related Arthritis in Patients with Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Introduction: Treatment guidelines for immune-related inflammatory arthritis (irAE-IA) in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are vague with respect to the use of specific agents. Patients are usually referred to rheumatologists for treatment. We conducted a survey of expert rheumatologists to determine current practices.

Impact of antiparasitic therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in chronic Chagas disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Endemic in more than 20 countries, Chagas disease affects 6.3 million people worldwide, leading to 28,000 new infections and 7700 deaths each year. Previous meta-analyses on antiparasitic treatment need updates to encompass recent studies and to assess key clinically meaningful endpoints.

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of the literature surrounding the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on exercise performance, recovery, and brain health. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation for athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners regarding the effects of supplemental ω-3 PUFA in healthy and athletic populations. The following conclusions represent the official position of the ISSN: Athletes may be at a higher risk for ω-3 PUFA insufficiency.

Early life microbial succession in the gut follows common patterns in humans across the globe.

Characterizing the dynamics of microbial community succession in the infant gut microbiome is crucial for understanding child health and development, but no normative model currently exists. Here, we estimate child age using gut microbial taxonomic relative abundances from metagenomes, with high temporal resolution (±3 months) for the first 1.5 years of life.

Rhabdomyosarcoma Surgical Update.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumors arise from mesenchymal tissue and represent half of pediatric sarcomas, which in turn make up 7% of pediatric tumors. Advances in local control therapy of RMS have improved outcomes after surgical resection of the primary tumor, either before or after induction chemotherapy, even in the setting of metastatic disease. The utilization of diagnostic core needle and sentinel node biopsy techniques for lymph node staging are becoming more widely used.

N-Acetylcysteine and Liver Transplant. Advantages of its Administration in Multi-Organ Donors Especially During World-Economical-Crisis. Long-Term Sub-Group Analysis in a Randomized Study.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is the main indication for the treatment of end-stage liver disease but have to face organ shortages. Using marginal donors is an option to increase the donor pool. Previous studies showed that the graft procured using N-acetylcysteine (NAC) provides a longer survival compared to perfusion with standard solutions, especially in marginal liver donors.

High cellular plasticity state of medulloblastoma local recurrence and distant dissemination.

Medulloblastoma (MB), a heterogeneous pediatric brain tumor, poses challenges in the treatment of tumor recurrence and dissemination. To characterize cellular diversity and genetic features, we comprehensively analyzed single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing (sc/snRNA-seq), single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (snATAC-seq), and spatial transcriptomics profiles and identified distinct cellular populations in SHH (sonic hedgehog) and Group_3 subgroups, with varying proportions in local recurrence or dissemination. Local recurrence showed higher cycling tumor cell enrichment, whereas disseminated lesions had a relatively notable presence of differentiated subsets.

Algorithmic Audits in Sports Medicine: An Examination of the SpartaScienceTM Force Plate System.

Introduction: Force plate systems are increasingly utilized in the armed forces that claim to identify individuals at risk of musculoskeletal injury. However, factors influencing injury risk scores from a force plate system (SpartaScienceTM), and the effects of experimental perturbations on these scores, remain unclear.

Methods: Healthy males (n = 823; 22.

Soft Coagulation Versus Argon Plasma Coagulation After Large Non-pedunculated Colorectal Polyp Resection: A Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Thermal ablative methods (such as argon plasma coagulation (APC) and soft tip snare coagulation (STSC) are commonly used to treat polyp margins. We aim to appraise the current literature and compare clinical outcomes between patients with treated (with APC vs. STSC) and non-treated endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) margins.

Pre-emptive treatment for cytomegalovirus viraemia to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and death in solid organ transplant recipients. Pre-emptive treatment of patients with CMV viraemia using antiviral agents has been suggested as an alternative to routine prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2006 and updated in 2013.