Recent progress in xenotransplantation and its application to pediatric kidney disease.

Patients with kidney failure require dialysis or kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation offers great benefits, including reduced mortality; however, many patients who wish to undergo kidney transplantation are unable to do so due to a shortage of donor organs. This shortage is a global issue, and xenotransplantation has emerged as a potential solution.

Clinical applicability of 2023 International Pediatric Nephrology Association recommended limited therapeutic drug monitoring formulae to assess mycophenolic acid exposure.

Background: The 2023 IPNA guidelines recommended a 12-h mycophenolic acid (MPA) area under the curve (AUC) estimation for managing pediatric nephrotic syndrome and MPA AUC > 50 mg * h/L for an optimal therapeutic response to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The IPNA guidelines endorsed two limited AUC formulae based on three-point MPA measurements to predict 12-h MPA AUC. The relative performance of these two limited AUC formulae has not been tested.

Efficacy and Tolerance of the Tampsec Vaginal Tampon for Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a highly prevalent condition in women. We hypothesized that the Tampsec™ vaginal tampon will be efficacious and well tolerated in its treatment.

Methods: This was a multicenter open-label parallel-group randomized control trial.

Development and Validation of Machine Learning Models for Risk Prediction of Postpartum Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: This study aims to develop a postpartum stress urinary incontinence (PPSUI) risk prediction model based on an updated definition of PPSUI, using machine learning algorithms. The goal is to identify the best model for early clinical screening to improve screening accuracy and optimize clinical management strategies.

Methods: This prospective study collected data from 1208 postpartum women, with the dataset randomly divided into training and testing sets (8:2).

[Digital pathology using ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy].

Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (EVCM) is a novel diagnostic method for bedside use with the possibility to perform rapid dermatopathological examinations on fresh tissue, while directly creating digital pictures. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of current study results in the field of EVCM. Due to the large number of studies in dermatology, the focus is set on the diagnosis of dermatological diseases.

Assessing acute effects of methylphenidate and modafinil on inhibitory capacity, time estimation, attentional lapses, and compulsive-like behavior in rats.

Medications known as 'cognitive enhancers' are increasingly being consumed off-label by healthy people, raising concerns about their safety. The aim of our study was to profile behavioral performance upon oral administration of methylphenidate (2.5 mg/kg) and modafinil (64 mg/kg) - two popular cognitive enhancers - and upon their discontinuation.

Infection-Related Hospitalization and Incident Heart Failure: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: The immune response to infections may become dysregulated and promote myocardial damage contributing to heart failure (HF). We examined the relationship between infection-related hospitalization (IRH) and HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction, and HF with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: We studied 14 468 adults aged 45 to 64 years in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study who were HF free at visit 1 (1987-1989).

Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes of Neonatal Nurses: A Multicenter Study on the Examination of Internal and External Factors.

Objective: This study aims to determine the internal and external factors affecting the attitudes of neonatal intensive care nurses toward evidence-based practices (EBP).

Methods: The population of this descriptive, cross-sectional, and relation-seeking multicenter study consisted of nurses working in 5 neonatal intensive care units located in 3 provinces of Türkiye. Data were collected using the Information Form, which included nurses' sociodemographic information and internal-external factors affecting evidence-based care practices, the Evidence-Based Nursing Attitude Questionnaire (EBNAQ).

Moving towards single fraction peripheral lung stereotactic body radiation therapy: patient care during and after the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Single-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy (SF-SBRT) for peripheral lung tumors was reviewed. Medically inoperable peripheral lung tumors eligible for SF-SBRT 34 Gray were treated. Patient characteristics, treatment and toxicity parameters were retrospectively collected, and toxicities were evaluated.

Cost of lung cancer diagnosis: cost differences between national health system and private sector.

Lung cancer is still diagnosed at an advanced stage due to lack of early disease symptoms. We have techniques and equipment for rapid on site evaluation of pulmonary lesions. However, with new technology or a combination of technologies in the diagnostic suite the cost of biopsy is rising.

Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Carriers of Triarylmethyl Radical Spin Probes for EPR Oximetry.

measurement and mapping of oxygen levels within the tissues are crucial in understanding the physiopathological processes of numerous diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or peripheral vascular diseases. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) associated with biocompatible exogenous spin probes, such as Ox071 triarylmethyl (TAM) radical, is becoming the new gold standard for oxygen mapping in preclinical settings. However, these probes do not show tissue selectivity when injected systemically, and they are not cell permeable, reporting oxygen from the extracellular compartment only.

Anti-GPC3 antibody and cell-penetrating peptide CPP44 dual-ligand modified liposomes for targeted delivery of arsenic trioxide in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO), the active ingredient in Chinese arsenic, effectively inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth, but its clinical application is limited by the lack of a targeted delivery system. Phosphatidylinositol proteoglycan 3 (GPC3) is specifically expressed in HCC, and CPP44 is a cell-penetrating peptide that targets HCC cells. Here, we developed a liposome incorporating ATO with dual surface modifications of anti-GPC3 antibody and CPP44.

Retinoid-impregnated nanoparticles enable control of bone growth by site-specific modulation of endochondral ossification in mice.

Growth-plate (GP) injures in limbs and other sites can impair GP function and cause deceleration of bone growth, leading to progressive bone lengthening imbalance, deformities and/or physical discomfort, decreased motion and pain. At present, surgical interventions are the only means available to correct these conditions by suppressing the GP activity in the unaffected limb and/or other bones in the ipsilateral region. Here, we aimed to develop a pharmacologic treatment of GP growth imbalance that involves local application of nanoparticles-based controlled release of a selective retinoic acid nuclear receptor gamma (RARγ) agonist drug.

Linking the function of -acting RNA elements to coronavirus replication using interactomes.

RNA structures that are functionally important are defined as -acting RNA elements because their functions cannot be compensated for in trans. The -acting RNA elements in the 3' UTR of coronaviruses are important for replication; however, the mechanism linking the -acting RNA elements to their replication function remains to be established. In the present study, a comparison of the biological processes of the interactome and the replication efficiency between the 3' UTR -acting RNA elements in coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, suggests that (i) the biological processes, including translation, protein folding and protein stabilization, derived from the analysis of the -acting RNA element interactome and (ii) the architecture of the -acting RNA elements and their interactomes are highly correlated with coronavirus replication.

Polystyrene Nanoplastics Hitch-Hike the Gut-Brain Axis to Exacerbate Parkinson's Pathology.

The neurological implications of micro- and nanoplastic exposure have recently come under scrutiny due to the environmental prevalence of these synthetic materials. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major neurological disorder clinically characterized by intracellular Lewy-body inclusions and dopaminergic neuronal death. These pathological hallmarks of PD, according to Braak's hypothesis, are mediated by the afferent propagation of α synuclein (αS) via the enteric nervous system, or the so-called gut-brain axis.

Generalizability of Randomized Controlled Trials to Routine Clinical Care in Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Historically, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been criticized for being poorly generalizable to patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) evaluated in routine care. We aimed to evaluate the proportion of patients with UC starting an advanced therapy who would be eligible to participate in phase 3 registrational UC RCTs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients starting vedolizumab, ustekinumab, or tofacitinib at 2 IBD clinics at the University of Calgary.

Identifying metabolomic mediators of the physical activity and colorectal cancer relationship.

Background: Current evidence suggests higher physical activity (PA) levels are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mediating role of the circulating metabolome in this relationship remains unclear.

Methods: Targeted metabolomics data from 6,055 participants in the EPIC cohort were used to identify metabolites associated with PA and derive a metabolomic signature of PA levels.

A survey of current trends in postgraduate year 2 pediatric pharmacy residencies and growth of pediatric ambulatory care pharmacy practice.

Disclaimer: In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

Coagulation abnormalities following brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) envenomation: A description of 2 cases and review of the literature.

Objective: Hemostatic abnormalities, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), are often cited as a common finding in patients following Loxosceles spider envenomation (ie, loxoscelism). The prevalence and severity of coagulopathy, however, particularly following L reclusa (ie, brown recluse) envenomation, is not well described. This study aimed to characterize coagulation laboratory parameters and coagulopathy in patients following L reclusa envenomation.

The Efficacy of Cryoneurolysis on Chronic Pain in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis; A Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Sham Trial.

Background: The objective was to investigate if cryoneurolysis were superior to sham in reducing pain intensity in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis. We hypothesized that cryoneurolysis was an effective and safe therapy to reduce chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: The study was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled.

Key informants' views on the benefits, planning and implementation of workplace oral health promotion programme.

This study aimed to explore key informants' views on the potential benefits of workplace oral health promotion (WOHP) among the aged care workforce and identified factors associated with the planning and implementation of such activities. The study interviewed members of key organizations associated with the aged care workforce, including oral health and health professionals, government and non-governmental organizations, aged care providers, unions and other worker support organizations in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

High burden of abnormal cervical smears in South African primary health care: health programmes implications.

Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among South African women and the load of abnormal cervical smears has clinical, programmatic and policy implications. This cross-sectional study of women who presented for cervical cancer screening aimed to determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical smears and associated factors in primary health care (PHC) facilities in Gauteng-the most densely populated province in South Africa. A questionnaire collected data on socio-demography, tobacco use, sexual behaviours, HIV status, past treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and cervical cancer screening in the past 10 years.

Centralization of prior authorization services at a community health system's infusion clinics.

Disclaimer: In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

Novel index for the evaluation of wound healing following erupted tooth extraction.

Background: Understanding healing of the alveolar process is crucial for immediate implant, alveolar ridge preservation and guided bone regeneration procedures, and to evaluate it several different scales have been proposed; however, all have different characteristics and seem to miss a standardization allowing for an objective and dichotomous evaluation of the different aspects of wound healing. The objective of the present study is to propose and apply, in real clinical scenarios, a novel index for the objective evaluation of wound healing following erupted tooth extraction.

Methods: Healthy patients in need of a single tooth extraction were enrolled and re-examined at 7, 14 and 21 days after the extraction using the novel index proposed.

Collaborative Development of Feedback Concept Maps for Virtual Patient-Based Clinical Reasoning Education: Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Concept maps are a suitable method for teaching clinical reasoning (CR). For example, in a concept map, findings, tests, differential diagnoses, and treatment options can be documented and connected to each other. When combined with virtual patients, automated feedback can be provided to the students' concept maps.