Concomitant Waldenström Macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma and Non-Immunoglobulin M Plasma Cell Neoplasm.

Context.—: The co-occurrence of plasma cell neoplasm (PCN) and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is rare, and their clonal relationship remains unclear.

Objective.

Characteristics and recovery trends of severe TBI patients with a favorable functional outcome at 6-month follow-up.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a devastating cause of death and disability. Outcomes following TBI have been extensively studied; however, less attention has been given to identifying characteristics of individuals who have a favorable outcome following severe TBI. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a database containing information on TBI patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center between 2015 and 2021.

Impact of age-related changes in buccal epithelial cells on pediatric epigenetic biomarker research.

Cheek swabs, heterogeneous samples consisting primarily of buccal epithelial cells, are widely used in pediatric DNA methylation studies and biomarker creation. However, the decrease in buccal proportion with age in adults remains unexamined in childhood. We analyzed cheek swabs from 4626 typically developing children 2-months to 20-years-old.

The evolution of preferred male traits, female preference and the G matrix: "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore".

Female preference exerts selection on male traits. How such preferences affect male traits, how female preferences change and the genetic correlation between male traits and female preference were examined by an experiment in which females were either mated to males they preferred (S lines) or to males chosen at random from the population (R lines). Female preference was predicted to increase the time spent calling by males.

Gut dysbiosis was inevitable, but tolerance was not: temporal responses of the murine microbiota that maintain its capacity for butyrate production correlate with sustained antinociception to chronic morphine.

The therapeutic benefits of opioids are compromised by the development of analgesic tolerance, which necessitates higher dosing for pain management thereby increasing the liability for drug dependence and addiction. Rodent models indicate opposing roles of the gut microbiota in tolerance: morphine-induced gut dysbiosis exacerbates tolerance, whereas probiotics ameliorate tolerance. Not all individuals develop tolerance, which could be influenced by differences in microbiota, and yet no study design has capitalized upon this natural variation.

Seroprevalence, incidence estimates, and environmental risk factors for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika infection amongst children living in informal urban settlements in Indonesia and Fiji.

Background: The burden of Aedes aegypti-transmitted viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are increasing globally, fueled by urbanization and climate change, with some of the highest current rates of transmission in Asia. Local factors in the built environment have the potential to exacerbate or mitigate transmission.

Methods: In 24 informal urban settlements in Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji, we tested children under 5 years old for evidence of prior infection with dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses by IgG serology.

The Calicophoron daubneyi genome provides new insight into mechanisms of feeding, eggshell synthesis and parasite-microbe interactions.

Background: The rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, is the major paramphistome species infecting ruminants within Europe. Adult flukes reside within the rumen where they are in direct contact with a unique collection of microorganisms. Here, we report a 1.

Case report: Immediate and sustained relief of postherpetic neuralgia with erector spinae nerve block in a 60-year-old woman.

Introduction: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new regional anesthetic procedure that provides analgesia below the erector spinae muscles in an interfascial plane. The indications for its use continue to expand as we learn more about this block.

Case: We report a case of a 60 year old woman presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe intractable pain after recent onset of herpes zoster infection.

Clinical outcomes of combined focused shock wave and ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy therapy.

Background: Various conservative treatments have been reported for refractory calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a combined therapy of focused shock wave (FSW) and ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT).

Methods: A total of 229 patients (246 shoulders) who experienced shoulder pain for over six months due to calcific tendinitis were included.

Predicting admission for fall-related injuries in older adults using artificial intelligence: A proof-of-concept study.

Aim: Pre-injury frailty has been investigated as a tool to predict outcomes of older trauma patients. Using artificial intelligence principles of machine learning, we aimed to identify a "signature" (combination of clinical variables) that could predict which older adults are at risk of fall-related hospital admission. We hypothesized that frailty, measured using the 5-item modified Frailty Index, could be utilized in combination with other factors as a predictor of admission for fall-related injuries.

Artificial intelligence-enabled safety monitoring in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials.

Background: Investigators conducting clinical trials have an ethical, scientific, and regulatory obligation to protect the safety of trial participants. Traditionally, safety monitoring includes manual review and coding of adverse event data by expert clinicians.

Objectives: Our study explores the use of natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI) methods to streamline and standardize clinician coding of adverse event data in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials.

Expert opinion on Centiloid thresholds suitable for initiating anti-amyloid therapy. Summary of discussion at the 2024 spring Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable.

A 24-30 Centiloid (CL) threshold was collectively considered by a group of global dementia experts as a practical and implementable cut-off for anti-amyloid therapy intervention, in Alzheimer's disease patients who have been diagnosed at the mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of their disease. Though additional validation is needed, knowledge of this threshold would be valuable to those involved in diagnosing and treating patients in the new AD care pathways, as well as entry into clinical trials. Therapy monitoring to determine future treatment response and assess amyloid clearance can be accomplished with amyloid PET with some technical details still to be elucidated.

Motor abilities and cognitive performance in Latinos with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Declining motor abilities might be a noninvasive biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studying motor ability and AD progression in younger Latinos with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) can provide insights into the interplay between motor ability and cognition in individuals with minimal confounding from age-normative changes and comorbid medical conditions.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) examine motor abilities as a function of years to dementia diagnosis and (2) examine associations between motor ability and cognitive performance.

Key considerations for combination therapy in Alzheimer's clinical trials: Perspectives from an expert advisory board convened by the Alzheimer's drug discovery foundation.

There is growing consensus in the Alzheimer's community that combination therapy will be needed to maximize therapeutic benefits through the course of the disease. However, combination therapy raises complex questions and decisions for study sponsors, from preclinical research through clinical trial design to regulatory, statistical, and operational considerations. In January 2024, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation convened an expert advisory board to discuss the key considerations in each of these areas.

First-in-human phase I trial of the bispecific CD47 inhibitor and CD40 agonist Fc-fusion protein, SL-172154 in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Background: SL-172154 is a hexameric fusion protein adjoining the extracellular domain of SIRPα to the extracellular domain of CD40L via an inert IgG-derived Fc domain. In preclinical studies, a murine equivalent SIRPα-Fc-CD40L fusion protein provided superior antitumor immunity in comparison to CD47- and CD40-targeted antibodies. A first-in-human phase I trial of SL-172154 was conducted in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

What role did serious mental illness play in Jackson Pollock's drip paintings? Abstract expressionism and possible links to serious mental illness and encrypted images (polloglyphs).

The link between creativity and serious mental illness (SMI) is widely discussed. Jackson Pollock is one example of a giant in the field of art who was both highly creative and experiencing an SMI. Pollock created a new genre of art known as abstract expressionism ("action painting") defined as showing the frenetic actions of painting.

Expanding access to maggot containment dressings through redesign and innovation.

There are two major styles of maggot debridement dressings: (1) confinement dressings that form a cage around the wound, and (2) containment dressings that completely surround the maggots within a sealed porous bag. For producers and clinicians wanting to prepare containment dressings using readily available polyester bags, it is currently difficult to seal these bags without expensive high-temperature plastic welders. This study aimed to identify simple and affordable methods for sealing maggots within polyester net bags.

Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Three-Column Lumbar Osteotomies with and without Interbody Cages for Adult Spinal Deformity.

Background Context: Correcting sagittal malalignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a challenging task, often requiring complex surgical interventions like pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs). Different types of three-column osteotomies (3COs), including Schwab 3, Schwab 4, Schwab 4 with interbody cages, and the "sandwich" technique, aim to optimize alignment and fusion outcomes. The role of interbody cages in enhancing fusion and segmental correction remains unclear.

Validation of the Contraception-Focused Preference-Aligned Fertility Management Index in Uganda and Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate construct validity of the contraception-focused "Preference-aligned Fertility Management" (PFM) Index, a new person-centered and rights-based outcome measure, in Nigeria and Uganda.

Study Design: We analyzed survey data from convenience samples of new users of contraception and non-users of contraception in Uganda and users of contraception in Nigeria. PFM Index scores were calculated by combining two indicators: Indicator 1 assessing alignment between desire to use contraception and actual use; Indicator 2 evaluating whether users' current methods are desired.

Remediation in Pediatric Residency Training: A National Survey of Pediatric Program Directors.

Background: The goal of graduate medical education is for residents to achieve the skills and knowledge to practice medicine independently. While remediation is not uncommon in residency training, evidence is lacking to guide best practices.

Methods: We conducted a national survey of pediatric residency programs regarding their remediation experiences identifying struggling residents, documentating the process, and monitoring progress during remediation.

Prevalence and Patterns of Social Media Use in Early Adolescents.

Objective: To describe patterns of social media use, including underage (under 13 years) use and sex differences, in a diverse, national sample of early adolescents in the U.S.

Methods: We analyzed the social media use data in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (2019-2021, Year 3), which includes a national sample of early adolescents in the U.

A lipidated peptide derived from the C-terminal tail of the vasopressin 2 receptor shows promise as a new β-arrestin inhibitor.

β-arrestins play pivotal roles in seven transmembrane receptor (7TMR) signalling and trafficking. To study their functional role in regulating specific receptor systems, current research relies mainly on genetic tools, as few pharmacological options are available. To address this issue, we designed and synthesised a novel lipidated phosphomimetic peptide inhibitor targeting β-arrestins, called ARIP, which was developed based on the C-terminal tail (A343-S371) of the vasopressin V2 receptor.

Associations of prenatal maternal psychosocial stress and depression with neurodevelopmental outcomes in 7.5-month-old infants in the ECHO.CA.IL prospective birth cohorts.

Background: Exposure to maternal stress and depression during pregnancy can have a marked impact on birth outcomes and child development, escalating the likelihood of preterm birth, lower birth weight, and various domains of physical and neurodevelopment.

Methods: The joint ECHO.CA.

Wing geometric morphometrics is effective to separate sand fly species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) related with leishmaniasis transmission in Mexico.

Nearly 32% of sand fly species recorded in Mexico are related to Leishmania transmission. A correct morphological identification of sand flies is essential to improve epidemiological and control strategies. Wing geometric morphometrics (GM) has proven to be a complementary tool for classical taxonomy, allowing us to explore variations in structure and shape between species.