Efficacy and safety of daprodustat in patients on peritoneal dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial.

Background And Hypothesis: Daprodustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with CKD in some parts of the world. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of daprodustat versus darbepoetin alfa in patients with anemia of CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: ASCEND-D (NCT02879305) was an open-label, Phase 3 trial; patients with CKD were randomized to daprodustat daily and epoetin alfa (HD patients) or darbepoetin alfa (PD patients).

Downscaling of Non-Van der Waals Semimetallic WN with Resistivity Preservation.

The bulk phase of transition metal nitrides (TMNs) has long been a subject of extensive investigation due to their utility as coating materials, electrocatalysts, and diffusion barriers, attributed to their high conductivity and refractory properties. Downscaling TMNs into two-dimensional (2D) forms would provide valuable members to the existing 2D materials repertoire, with potential enhancements across various applications. Moreover, calculations have anticipated the emergence of uncommon physical phenomena in TMNs at the 2D limit.

Lessons Learned From the Liver About the Undergraduate to Graduate Medical Education Transition.

The burden of cirrhosis and chronic liver disease is growing, yet there is a projected worsening deficit in hepatology providers. As such, cirrhosis and liver disease have been important inclusions within the core curricula of Internal Medicine. Formal assessments of provider preparedness resulting from the curriculum are lacking though.

Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep Apnea, Myocardial Infarct Size, and Coronary Collaterals in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Multidisciplinary Study.

Purpose: We designed a study investigating the cardioprotective role of sleep apnea (SA) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), focusing on its association with infarct size and coronary collateral circulation.

Methods: We recruited adults with AMI, who underwent Level-III SA testing during hospitalization. Delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed to quantify AMI size (percent-infarcted myocardium).

Cardio-Obstetrics Practice in Latin America: A Regional Survey of General Cardiologists.

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is a leading cause of death in pregnant women globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries including Latin America (LATAM), where there is lack of data on how cardiologists are trained in cardio-obstetrics (CO) and the practice patterns in the care of pregnant patients.

Objectives: The authors aimed to identify CO competency and practice patterns among LATAM general cardiologists.

Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional Google-based electronic survey was sent via email to clinical cardiologists through local American College of Cardiology chapters and CV societies.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk in South Asians in the Baylor Scott and White Health DILWALE Registry.

Background: Despite implementation of preventive interventions targeting cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) remains a major public health concern in the South Asian (SA) population.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk factor prevalence and ASCVD outcomes in SA population in the United States.

Methods: The DIL Wellness and Arterial health Longitudinal Evaluation registry collected data retrospectively on SA adult patients receiving care in the Baylor Scott & White Healthcare system.

Valvular Heart Disease-Related Mortality Between Middle- and High-Income Countries During 2000 to 2019.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) management has evolved rapidly in recent decades, but disparities in health care access persist among countries with varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate global mortality trends from VHD and assess the difference between middle- and high-income countries.

Methods: We obtained mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database for VHD and its subgroups (rheumatic valvular disease [RVD], infective endocarditis [IE], aortic stenosis [AS], and mitral regurgitation [MR]) from 2000 to 2019.

Rheumatic Heart Disease Burden in Africa and the Need to Build Robust Infrastructure.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important public health problem in Africa. Mapping the epidemiology of RHD involves elucidating its geographic distribution, temporal trends, and demographic characteristics. The prevalence of RHD in Africa varies widely, with estimates ranging from 2.

Malnutrition and risks of atrial fibrillation recurrence after catheter ablation.

Background: Recent data showed an association between malnutrition and increased all-cause mortality and thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the impact of malnutrition on the clinical outcomes for patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF is still debated. Our study aimed to examine this relationship using all existing available data.

Safety and Efficacy of Metformin for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. A U.S-Based Real-World Data Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Introduction: Managing idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is challenging due to limited treatment options. This study evaluates metformin as a potential therapy for IIH, examining its impact on disease outcomes and safety.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX database, covering data from 2009 to August 2024.

Echocardiography of the right heart in pulmonary arterial hypertension: insights from the ULTRA RIGHT VALUE study.

Aims: Outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is determined by right ventricular (RV) function adaptation to increased afterload. Echocardiography is easily available to assist bedside evaluation of the RV. However, no agreement exists about the feasibility and most relevant measurements.

Large-scale proteomic analysis of muscle-stage ESPs identifies a novel upstream motif for prediction of secreted products.

The genus contains parasitic nematodes capable of infecting a wide range of hosts including mammals, birds and reptiles. Like other helminths, secretes a complex mixture of bioactive molecules capable of modulating its immediate surroundings and creating a hospitable environment for growth, survival and ultimately transmission. The constitution of these excretory-secretory products (ESPs) changes depending on the tissue niche and the specific stage of parasite development.

Digital solutions for migrant and refugee health: a framework for analysis and action.

Digital technologies can help support the health of migrants and refugees and facilitate research on their health issues. However, ethical concerns include security and confidentiality of information; informed consent; how to engage migrants in designing, implementing and researching digital tools; inequitable access to mobile devices and the internet; and access to health services for early intervention and follow-up. Digital technical solutions do not necessarily overcome problems that are political, social, or economic.

Antimicrobial activity of a new class of synthetic retinoid antibiotics and comparator agents against ocular staphylococci.

Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance is global pandemic that poses a major threat to vision health as ocular pathogens, especially staphylococcal species, are becoming increasingly resistant to first-line therapies. Here we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of a new class of synthetic retinoids in comparison to currently used antibiotics against clinically relevant ocular staphylococcal isolates.

Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution for 3 novel synthetic retinoids (CD1530, CD437, and a CD437 analogue) and 7 comparator antibiotics, against a collection of 216 clinical isolates.

Acceptance and commitment therapy group protocol for caregivers of anxious youth: an open trial pilot study.

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are common, distressing, and impairing for children and families. Cognitive-behavioral interventions targeting the role of family interactions in child anxiety treatment may be limited by lack of attention to antecedents to parental control; specifically, internal parent factors such as experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion. This pilot study evaluates the preliminary efficacy of a group-delivered caregiver treatment program, ACT for Parents of Anxious Children (ACT-PAC) that targets parental experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and child internalizing symptoms.

Procedural and Short-Term Outcomes of Carotid Artery Stenting: A Single-Center Experience.

Background Carotid artery stenting is a well-established alternative treatment to carotid endarterectomy for carotid artery stenosis for preventing stroke. This study assessed the procedural and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting in a tertiary care center in India. Methods A total of 39 patients underwent carotid artery stenting from January 2022 to December 2023, with different embolic protection devices and carotid stents.

Increased usage of doxycycline for young children with Lyme disease.

Background: The 2018 Infectious Disease Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that up to 3 weeks or less of doxycycline is safe in children of all ages. Our goal was to examine trends in doxycycline treatment for children with Lyme disease.

Methods: We assembled a prospective cohort of children aged 1 to 21 years with Lyme disease who presented to one of eight participating Pedi Lyme Net centers between 2015 and 2023.

The Future Hospital in Global Health Systems: The Future Hospital Within the Healthcare System.

Future hospitals must be able to adapt in many ways to the changing demands on their roles and functions within evolving healthcare delivery infrastructures. These include changing population structures and needs, new models of healthcare provision, technological advances, and innovations in design, all while enhancing their environmental sustainability. This article sets out the issues that those determining healthcare policy and designing future hospitals must consider if they are to become and remain fit for purpose within the wider health and social care system.

Mind the gap in kidney care: translating what we know into what we do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do.

Malnutrition in Spine Oncology: Where Are We and What Are We Measuring?

Study Design: Scoping review.

Objective: To identify which markers are used as surrogates for malnutrition in metastatic spine disease and which are the most studied outcomes associated with it.

Methods: A scoping review was performed by searching the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up to July 2022.

Downscaling global reference points to assess the sustainability of local fisheries.

Multispecies coral reef fisheries are typically managed by local communities who often lack research and monitoring capacity, which prevents estimation of well-defined sustainable reference points to perform locally relevant fishery assessments. Recent research modeling coral reef fisheries globally has estimated multispecies sustainable reference points (i.e.

Attitudes and knowledge for CBT-based psychotherapy among medical students and residents in China: a survey study.

Background/aim: Psychotherapy training for medical students and residents in China is still in development. To establish an appropriate training program, understanding medical students' and residents' current knowledge and attitudes toward psychotherapy is needed.

Methods: One hundred and forty-nine participants, including medical students, residents, and other health providers (HCPs), self-reported their understanding of 18 types of psychotherapy, negative attitude towards cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and their attitude towards psychological interventions and counseling in primary care (APIC-PC) through an online survey.

Nurse workforce change and metropolitan medically underserved areas in the United States.

Background: The continued healthcare crisis in the United States (US) is worrisome, especially as workforce shortages, particularly for nurses, are highlighted, often in some of the highest need areas. As the need for healthcare services grows, especially for services that nurses can deliver, the inability to meet those needs exacerbates existing disparities in access to care and can jeopardize the quality and timeliness of healthcare delivery in underserved communities. Prior investigations have used varying definitions to describe underserved, under-resourced, rural, or health professional shortage areas to examine the relationship between these areas and workforce shortages.

SIRT2 and ALDH1A1 as critical enzymes for astrocytic GABA production in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with drastically altered astrocytic metabolism. Astrocytic GABA and HO are associated with memory impairment in AD and synthesized through the Monoamine Oxidase B (MAOB)-mediated multi-step degradation of putrescine. However, the enzymes downstream to MAOB in this pathway remain unidentified.

Interpreting positive celiac serology in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

Objectives: The association of celiac disease (CD) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is well-established, yet variation exists in screening practices. This study measures the accuracy of early screening with tissue transglutaminase Immunoglobulin A (TTG-IgA) and endomysial antibody (EMA) in newly diagnosed T1DM.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of children with T1DM between 2013 and 2019 with early CD screening and follow-up.