Thrombotic Microangiopathy Associated with Systemic Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Transfer: Review of Reported Cases.

Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in the form of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) has emerged as an immune complication of systemic adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer that was unforeseen based on nonclinical studies. Understanding this phenomenon in the clinical setting has been limited by incomplete data and a lack of uniform diagnostic and reporting criteria. While apparently rare based on available information, AAV-associated TMA/aHUS can pose a substantial risk to patients including one published fatality.

Single cell derived multicellular meristem: insights into male-to-hermaphrodite conversion and de novo meristem formation in ceratopteris.

Land plants alternate between asexual sporophytes and sexual gametophytes. Unlike seed plants, ferns develop free-living gametophytes. Gametophytes of the model fern Ceratopteris exhibit two sex types: hermaphrodites with pluripotent meristems and males lacking meristems.

Nanoscale Structure and Interfacial Electrochemical Reactivity of Moiré-Engineered Atomic Layers.

ConspectusThe electronic properties of atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) materials can be precisely manipulated by vertically stacking them with a controlled offset (for example, a rotational offset─i.e., twist─between the layers, or a small difference in lattice constant) to generate moiré superlattices.

Paranoia and unusual sensory experiences in Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: There has been limited exploration into the nature and development of psychotic experiences (PEs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to comprehensively assess the frequency, severity, and associated distress of paranoia and unusual sensory experiences (USEs) in PD, and to assess what variables are significantly associated with these experiences, focussing on psychological processes central to understanding PEs in non-PD groups.

Method: A questionnaire battery was completed by 369 individuals with PD with a mean age of 66 years and mean time since diagnosis of 5 years.

AF-FLOW Global Registry Confirms Validity of Electrographic Flow Mapping as a Phenotyping Tool for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Electrographic flow (EGF) mapping allows for the visualization of global atrial wavefront propagations. One mechanism of initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF) is stimulation from EGF-identified focal sources that serve as driver sites of fibrillatory conduction. Electrographic flow consistency (EGFC) further quantifies the concordance of observed wavefront patterns, indicating that a healthier substrate shows more organized wavefront propagation and higher EGFC.

Toward Safety Protocols for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS): A Computational and Experimental Approach.

As the clinical applicability of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) expands, the need for PNS-specific safety criteria becomes pressing. This study addresses this need, utilizing a novel machine learning and computational bio-electromagnetics modeling platform to establish a safety criterion that captures the effects of fields and currents induced on axons. Our approach is comprised of three steps: experimentation, model creation, and predictive simulation.

Ecophysiological responses to heat waves in the marine intertidal zone.

One notable consequence of climate change is an increase in the frequency, scale and severity of heat waves. Heat waves in terrestrial habitats (atmospheric heat waves, AHW) and marine habitats (marine heat waves, MHW) have received considerable attention as environmental forces that impact organisms, populations and whole ecosystems. Only one ecosystem, the intertidal zone, experiences both MHWs and AHWs.

Safety of pre-operative venogram for hemodialysis access planning in pre-end-stage kidney disease patients.

Background: Although conventional pre-operative venography can accurately delineate venous anatomy as an alternative to ultrasound for hemodialysis access planning, it may carry a risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and progression of renal failure in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not yet on dialysis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre-operative venograms in pre-end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study (2018-2022) of consecutive pre-ESKD patients who underwent staged bilateral venograms for preoperative vein mapping prior to hemodialysis access creation at a tertiary care medical center.

Non-Operative Management of Cholecystitis in Pregnant Patients Remains Common.

Cholecystectomy is the recommended treatment for acute cholecystitis in pregnancy, leading to fewer pregnancy-related complications than non-operative management. However, past research demonstrated high rates of non-operative management despite these recommendations. Rates of cholecystostomy tube usage and outcomes in pregnancy are not well described.

Global Publication Trends and Research Hotspots of Diabetes and Osteoporosis.

Background: Diabetes and osteoporosis, as chronic diseases with high incidence, have caused deep concern in the field of global public health due to their high morbidity and mortality. More importantly, the complex and close relationship between diabetes and osteoporosis has gradually become the focus of scientific research. It is very meaningful to carry out bibliometric analysis in the research field of diabetes and osteoporosis to describe the current international trend and present a visual representation of the past and emerging trends of diabetes and osteoporosis in the past decade.

Exploring Peripartum Cannabis Use Among Young Sexual Minority People: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Young childbearing sexual minority (SM) people are more likely to use cannabis and to have an unintended pregnancy than their heterosexual peers; however, little is known about their perceptions and experiences of peripartum cannabis use. This qualitative study explores the relationships young pregnant and parenting SM people have with cannabis, as well as their feelings and opinions about prenatal cannabis use.

Method: Participants who identified as SM from baseline surveys of the YoungMoms study were recruited for semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 13).

Engagement in child psychiatry department appointments: An analysis of electronic medical records in one safety-net hospital in New England, USA.

Objective: This study examined whether being scheduled in a screening clinic versus scheduled directly with a long-term provider to conduct a mental health intake (MHI) is associated with engagement in child psychiatry services in New England, USA.

Method: We used electronic medical record data from one safety-net hospital serving a predominantly low-income and minoritised population. The study sample included 815 youths aged 0 to 25 years, referred or scheduled for a MHI between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016.

Concurrent management of vitiligo and acquired disorders of hyperpigmentation: a comprehensive literature review and current practice gaps.

Few studies discuss the co-management of vitiligo and acquired hyperpigmentation disorders (AHD) such as melasma, erythema dyschromicum perstans, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, drug-induced hyperpigmentation, and lichen planus pigmentosus. This review discusses clinical studies examining co-management strategies and identifies current practice gaps. Dermatology Life Quality Index scores are higher in individuals with vitiligo or melasma.

A Nudge to the Truth: Atom Conservation as a Hard Constraint in Models of Atmospheric Composition Using a Species-Weighted Correction.

Computational models of atmospheric composition are not always physically consistent. For example, not all models respect fundamental conservation laws such as conservation of atoms in an interconnected chemical system. In well performing models, these unphysical deviations are often ignored because they are frequently minor, and thus only need a small nudge to perfectly conserve mass.

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.

The BEN domain protein LIN-14 coordinates neuromuscular positioning during epidermal maturation.

Development and function of an organism depend on coordinated inter-tissue interaction. How such interactions are maintained during tissue renewal and reorganization remains poorly understood. Here, we find that BEN domain transcription factor LIN-14 is required in epidermis for maintaining the position of motor neurons and muscles during developmental tissue reorganization.

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).

Fetal Cartilage Progenitor Cells in the Repair of Osteochondral Defects.

Background: Therapies for cartilage restoration are of great interest, but current options provide limited results. In salamanders, interzone (IZN) tissue can regenerate large joint lesions. The mammalian homolog to this tissue exists during fetal development and exhibits remarkable chondrogenesis in vitro.

Ethnic Differences in Atrial Fibrillation in the United Kingdom.

Background: Within the United States, White individuals experience a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) while exhibiting a lower AF-related stroke risk compared to other ethnic groups. It is possible that these observations stem from phenomena unique to the United States, such as differential health care access. The United Kingdom provides socialized medicine, which ostensibly promotes equitable health care access.

Electrical Heterogeneity in Hispanic Background Subpopulations: The HCHS/SOL.

Background: The Hispanic/Latino population is not uniform. Prevalence and clinical outcomes of cardiac arrhythmias in ethnic background subgroups are variable, but the reasons for differences are unclear. Vectorcardiographic Global Electrical Heterogeneity (GEH) has been shown to be associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

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.

Incidence and Progression of Diastolic Dysfunction in People With HIV in Tanzania: A Comparative Cohort.

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal data are lacking, especially from Africa.

Objectives: The aim was to examine: 1) the incidence of diastolic dysfunction in PLWH compared to community controls in Tanzania; 2) the progression of diastolic function and LVH in PLWH after antiretroviral therapy initiation; and 3) traditional, endemic, and HIV-specific risk factors for diastolic function and LVH.