Nanoparticle delivery of VEGF and SDF-1α as an approach for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Endothelial dysfunction is an underlying mechanism for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF) may help repair the dysfunctional endothelium and provide treatment for PAH. To examine this possibility, nanoparticles carrying human recombinant VEGF and SDF (VEGFNP and SDFNP) were aerosolized into the lungs of nude rats at Day 14 after monocrotaline (MCT) injection and analyses were performed at Day 28.

Early Renal Outcomes Following Heart Transplantation Using Organs Procured After Circulatory Death.

Background: Transplantation using hearts obtained through donation after circulatory death (DCD) is increasing, but data on recipient renal outcomes are limited.

Methods And Results: Patients at a single institution who underwent heart transplantation using organs procured through DCD or donation after brain death (DBD) from April 2016 to August 2022 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Hemodynamic measures were collected via right heart catheterization performed 1 week after transplantation.

Trends in Gaps of Care for Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: Implications for Social Determinants of Health and Child Opportunity Index.

Background: Lifelong continuity of care is essential for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) to maximize health outcomes; unfortunately, gaps in care (GIC) are common. Trends in GIC and of social determinants of health factors contributing to GIC are poorly understood.

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study included patients with CHD, aged 0 to 34 years, who underwent surgery between January 2003 and May 2020, followed up at a pediatric subspeciality hospital.

AAV-mouse DNase I sustains long-term DNase I expression in vivo and suppresses breast cancer metastasis.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been implicated in the pathology of various inflammatory conditions. In cancer, NETs have been demonstrated to induce systemic inflammation, impair peripheral vessel and organ function and promote metastasis. Here we show that the plasma level of NETs is significantly higher in patients with metastatic breast cancer compared to those with local disease, or those that were considered cured at a 5-year follow-up, confirming NETs as interesting therapeutic targets in metastatic breast cancer.

COPD associated pulmonary hypertension: A post hoc analysis of the PERFECT study.

The PERFECT study, a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of inhaled treprostinil in patients with COPD and associated pulmonary hypertension (PH-COPD) was a negative trial that was terminated early. The reason(s) for the negative outcome remains uncertain. A post hoc analysis of data from the PERFECT study was undertaken to identify adverse responders and possibly potential responders.

Landscape of exosomes to modified exosomes: a state of the art in cancer therapy.

Exosomes are a subpopulation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that naturally originate from endosomes. They play a significant role in cellular communication. Tumor-secreted exosomes play a crucial role in cancer development and significantly contribute to tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and metastasis by intracellular communication.

A comprehensive review of scapulothoracic abnormal motion (STAM): evaluation, classification, and treatment strategies.

The term "dyskinesia" has often been used interchangeably with "winging," leading to ambiguity in the literature. To address this, the broader term "scapulothoracic abnormal motion (STAM)" was introduced to describe any abnormal position or movement of the scapula on the chest, resulting in pain and dysfunction. Scapulothoracic abnormal motion has a wide range of causes, including musculoskeletal imbalances such as pectoralis minor hyperactivity, neurological impairments such as long thoracic nerve palsy, and genetic conditions like facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Lower mortality risk associated with remdesivir + dexamethasone versus dexamethasone alone for the treatment of patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Background: Treatment guidelines were developed early in the pandemic when much about COVID-19 was unknown. Given the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, real-world data can provide clinicians with updated information. The objective of this analysis was to assess mortality risk in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the Omicron period receiving remdesivir+dexamethasone versus dexamethasone alone.

Pulmonary vasodilators in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension-A case series.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a prevalent complication among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In these patients, pulmonary vasodilators may be useful but are underused. We describe a group of patients with precapillary PH and advanced CKD treated with pulmonary vasodilators.

Faculty consensus on competitiveness for the new competency-based emergency medicine standardized letter of evaluation.

Background: Emergency medicine (EM) has introduced a new, competency-based standardized letter of evaluation (SLOE) template. While a previous version of the SLOE has been shown to promote a high degree of faculty consensus regarding competitiveness, this has not been shown for the new SLOE template.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate faculty consensus on competitiveness for the new EM SLOE 2.

Transcripts of repetitive DNA elements signal to block phagocytosis of hematopoietic stem cells.

Macrophages maintain hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) quality by assessing cell surface Calreticulin (Calr), an "eat-me" signal induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using zebrafish genetics, we identified Beta-2-microglobulin (B2m) as a crucial "don't eat-me" signal on blood stem cells. A chemical screen revealed inducers of surface Calr that promoted HSC proliferation without triggering ROS or macrophage clearance.

Associations of Rest-Activity Rhythm Disturbances With Stroke Risk and Poststroke Adverse Outcomes.

Background: Many disease processes are influenced by circadian clocks and display ~24-hour rhythms. Whether disruptions to these rhythms increase stroke risk is unclear. We evaluated the association between 24-hour rest-activity rhythms, stroke risk, and major poststroke adverse outcomes.

Association of emergency department characteristics with presence of recommended pediatric-specific behavioral health policies.

Objectives: In the United States, pediatric emergency department (ED) visits for behavioral health (BH) are increasing. We sought to determine ED-level characteristics associated with having recommended BH-related policies.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective serial cross-sectional study of National Pediatric Readiness Project assessments administered to US EDs in 2013 and 2021.

Genetically proxied IL-6 signaling and risk of Alzheimer's disease and lobar intracerebral hemorrhage: A drug target Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: Evidence suggests that higher C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Whether interleukin (IL)-6 signaling, an active pharmacological target upstream of CRP, is associated with these amyloid-related pathologies remains unknown.

Methods: We used 26 CRP-lowering variants near the IL-6 receptor gene to perform Mendelian randomization analyses for AD (111,326 cases, 677,663 controls) and ICH (1545 cases, 1481 controls).

The tipping point: Key oncologic imaging findings resulting in critical changes in the management of malignant genitourinary and gynecological tumors.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review the staging systems for common malignant genitourinary and gynecological tumors, including renal cell carcinoma, urinary bladder carcinoma, as well as cervical, endometrial, and ovarian carcinoma, and to highlight the key imaging findings ("tipping points") that may alter patient management algorithms based on radiological staging.

Conclusion: There are identifiable imaging features for the common genitourinary and gynecological malignancies, including the size of the primary tumor, tumor extension, invasion of adjacent structures, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis, which provide important prognostic information and determine patient management. Radiologists must be aware of these imaging findings ("tipping points") when interpreting staging examinations.

Airway Events and Critical Care Requirements in Patients with Robin Sequence after Palatoplasty.

Background: Patients with Robin sequence (RS) are often thought to be at high-risk for airway complications after cleft palate repair, and may be routinely admitted to the intensive care unit after surgery. This study compares frequency of postoperative airway events in patients with and without RS undergoing palatoplasty, and assesses potential risk factors for needing intensive care.

Methods: A matched cohort study of patients with and without RS undergoing palatoplasty from February 2014 to February 2022 was conducted.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and coronary atherosclerosis by CCTA in young adults (18-45).

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Limited data exists on the interplay between EAT and atherosclerosis in young individuals. Our study aims to explore the relationship between EAT and CAD in a young cohort.