Efficacy and safety of mechanical transvenous lead extraction: median follow-up analysis and development of an experimental model for predicting survival post-extraction.

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation is on the rise, accompanied by an increase in its inevitable complications such as different types of CIED infections that require further therapy and potential device extraction. Ensuring efficacy and safety remains paramount in transvenous lead extraction (TLE), given the complex nature of the procedure. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of relatively low-cost mechanical TLE, including mid-term clinical follow-up, and to develop a predictive model for post-TLE survival.

Diagnosis and Management of Long-term Gastrointestinal Complications in Pediatric Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

Purpose Of Review: Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) causes gastrointestinal (GI) complications that can begin in infancy and extend into adulthood. The etiology of these is frequently multifactorial, and they can adversely affect feeding, growth, respiratory health, and overall quality of life. This review highlights the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary surveillance, and individualized treatment strategies to effectively manage these complications and improve long-term outcomes for affected children.

Human respiratory airway progenitors derived from pluripotent cells generate alveolar epithelial cells and model pulmonary fibrosis.

Human lungs contain unique cell populations in distal respiratory airways or terminal and respiratory bronchioles (RA/TRBs) that accumulate in persons with lung injury and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a lethal lung disease. As these populations are absent in rodents, deeper understanding requires a human in vitro model. Here we convert human pluripotent stem cells (hPS cells) into expandable spheres, called induced respiratory airway progenitors (iRAPs), consisting of ~98% RA/TRB-associated cell types.

PTEN mutations impair CSF dynamics and cortical networks by dysregulating periventricular neural progenitors.

Enlargement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled brain ventricles (ventriculomegaly) is a defining feature of congenital hydrocephalus (CH) and an under-recognized concomitant of autism. Here, we show that de novo mutations in the autism risk gene PTEN are among the most frequent monogenic causes of CH and primary ventriculomegaly. Mouse Pten-mutant ventriculomegaly results from aqueductal stenosis due to hyperproliferation of periventricular Nkx2.

Sensitivity of ophthalmologists, residents, and optometrists in identifying peripheral retinal tears on ultra-widefield imaging.

Objective: To compare the sensitivity of 3 groups of masked graders with varying levels of ophthalmic training to identify peripheral retinal breaks utilizing ultra-widefield orthogonal, directed peripheral steering, and auto-montaged images.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort study.

Participants: 155 patients from a single vitreoretinal specialist's practice.

Endosomal chemokine receptor signalosomes regulate central mechanisms underlying cell migration.

Chemokine receptors are GPCRs that regulate the chemotactic migration of a wide variety of cells including immune and cancer cells. Most chemokine receptors contain features associated with the ability to stimulate G protein signaling during β-arrestin-mediated receptor internalization into endosomes. As endosomal signaling of certain non-GPCR receptors plays a major role in cell migration, we chose to investigate the potential role of endosomal chemokine receptor signaling on mechanisms governing this function.

Cannabis Access by Retailer Type in New York.

Objective: Increasing state-level cannabis legalization in the United States aims to reduce risks to consumers through regulation but may also lead to more unlicensed retailers and youth access. This study examines how age verification and business practices (eg, pricing, signage, and youth-appealing products) differ by licensing status.

Methods: The Cannabis Access and Safety in New York (CASNY) secret shopper study observed 37 dispensaries and smoke shops (5 licensed medical, 7 licensed recreational, 10 unlicensed dispensaries, and 15 smoke shops), randomly selected from 840 outlets across New York City (NYC) in November to December 2023 to audit age verification and other business practices.

Proposed Core Outcomes After Neonatal Sepsis: A Consensus Statement.

Importance: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality. There is heterogeneity in the outcomes measured and reported in studies of neonatal sepsis. To address this challenge, a core outcome set (COS) for research on neonatal sepsis was needed.

Variant-specific antibody correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron symptomatic overall infections.

Background: Vaccination prior infection elicit neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2, yet the quantitative relationship between serum antibodies infection risk against viral variants remains uncertain, particularly in underrepresented regions.

Methods: We investigated the protective correlation of pre-exposure serum neutralizing antibody levels, employing a panel of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses (Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.

ACE-2-like Enzymatic Activity in COVID-19 Convalescent Patients with Persistent Pulmonary Symptoms Associated with Immunoglobulin.

Many difficult to understand clinical features characterize COVID-19 and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or Long COVID, LC). These can include blood pressure instability, hyperinflammation, coagulopathies, and neuropsychiatric complaints. The pathogenesis of these features remains unclear.

Canadian developmental pediatrics workforce survey.

Background: Neurodevelopmental conditions are common, and many of these conditions benefit from specialized developmental assessments or services from a developmental pediatric clinic. There is limited data about the supply of developmental pediatric subspecialists and limited knowledge about the sustainability of the current workforce providing this care in Canada.

Objectives: To understand the current Canadian developmental pediatric workforce, we conducted a survey to determine: (1) The demographic profile of developmental pediatric professionals who comprise the current workforce and their career plans; (2) The challenges and trends to inform future resource planning; and (3) Opportunities for innovative provision of developmental care in pediatrics.

Sense and Sensibility: Nerve Tape-A More Efficient Alternative for Nerve Repair in Breast Reconstruction?

Background: Current methods of nerve coaptation, ranging from epineural microsuture to fibrin glue, are either technically challenging or inadequate in providing robust repair. Nerve Tape, a novel sutureless nerve coaptation device, addresses these shortcomings by enabling rapid application while still preserving high-quality nerve repair. The purpose of this study was to compare the speed and quality of nerve repair between Nerve Tape and the traditional microsuture in patients who undergo cancer-related and gender-affirming mastectomies with chest/breast reinnervation.

Ventricular tachycardia substrate mapping: What's been done and what needs to be done.

Substrate mapping is an important component of electrophysiological (EP) study for the treatment of reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT). It is used to detect characteristics of the electrical circuit and, in particular, the location and properties of the central common pathway, aka the isthmus, where multiple circuit loops can coincide. Typically, reentrant circuits are single or double loop, but as the common pathway size increases, 4-loop patterns may emerge, consisting of 2 parallel isthmuses or a single isthmus with 4 loops.

Climate change hopefulness, anxiety, and behavioral intentions among adolescents: randomized controlled trial of a brief "selfie" video intervention.

Aim: We tested the utility of showing "selfie" videos to increase adolescents' climate change hope, agency, and behavioral intentions, and to decrease their climate anxiety.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial among healthy volunteers, ages 14 to 18, enrolled through a crowdsourcing platform. We randomly assigned participants (N = 1039) to view one of three 110-s-long video interventions featuring the same adolescent protagonist: positive (depicting an action-oriented stance); negative (defeatist stance); and control (neutral stance and unrelated content).

Vitamin D Status as a Risk Factor for Tuberculosis Infection.

Vitamin D is a principal regulator of bone and mineral metabolism. Recent data have provided evidence that vitamin D is a polyfunctional hormone with actions that extend beyond its classical role as a nutrient for bone and mineral metabolism. These additional actions include its potential role to prevent infections and autoimmunity.

Platinum-free interval and response to platinum retreatment or lenvatinib/pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer: A real-world endometrial cancer molecularly targeted therapy consortium cohort study.

Objective: We sought to determine the association between platinum-free interval (PFI) and response to retreatment with platinum-based chemotherapy vs lenvatinib/pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer.

Methods: Endometrial Cancer Molecularly Targeted Therapy (ECMT2) Consortium patients with recurrent disease were included in this retrospective analysis if they received first-line treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy (adjuvant or first recurrence), followed by second-line re-treatment with platinum or lenvatinib/pembrolizumab. PFI was defined as time between date of last platinum to start date of second-line therapy.

Ultrasound-based versus immediate biopsy-based management of postmenopausal bleeding in non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White individuals.

Background: Ultrasound-based evaluation of endometrial thickness to rule out endometrial cancer in patients with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is not sufficiently validated in the non-Hispanic Black (NHB) population. Differences in ultrasound performance between NHB and non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients may contribute to documented disparities in cancer-associated survival.

Methods: We developed a decision-tree model, informed by literature and institutional data, comparing an immediate biopsy-based strategy (BBS) to an ultrasound-based strategy (UBS) to evaluate PMB in NHB and NHW patients.

No Increased Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: Celiac disease (CeD) has been associated with a low response to hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination, but guidelines for testing and revaccination among individuals with CeD are sparse. We examined the risk of future HBV among individuals with CeD in a population-based Swedish cohort. Furthermore, we examined the rate of prior HBV infection in CeD patients.

Atypical Mpox Cutaneous Presentation After Full Vaccination.

In 2022-2023 mpox outbreak led to declaration of a public health emergency. Smallpox vaccination has led to increased immunity and a decrease in clinical disease. The role of vaccination in immunosuppressed patients is not well understood.

Impact of Early Auditory Processing on Negative Symptom Response to Cognitive Remediation for Schizophrenia.

Background And Hypothesis: Early auditory processing (EAP) has increasingly become a focus of efforts to identify markers of treatment response in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Assessment of baseline need provides an opportunity for cognitive remediation (CR) programs that include EAP training to personalize treatment and optimize its impact. CR has been shown to help reduce negative symptoms, but less is known about how EAP tailoring may influence this relationship.

Caregiver mental, behavioral, and social health during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: results from the Asenze cohort study.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns had significant impacts on the well-being of populations globally, however, most COVID-19 mental health research has been done in high-income countries. This study evaluates the impact of COVID-19 and lockdowns on the mental well-being of sequential groups of caregivers of adolescents in South Africa. We hypothesized that caregivers experienced worse mental, emotional and social health outcomes during the pandemic, compared to before its onset.

Guiding Principles for Data Sharing and Harmonization: Results of a Systematic Review and Modified Delphi From the Society of Critical Care Medicine Data Science Campaign.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish a set of guiding principles for data sharing and harmonization in critical care, focusing on the use of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) to improve patient outcomes and research efficacy. The principles were developed through a systematic literature review and a modified Delphi process, with the goal of enhancing data accessibility, standardization, and interoperability across critical care settings.

Data Sources: Data sources included a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature, specifically studies related to the use of RWD and RWE in healthcare, guidelines, best practices, and recommendations on data sharing and harmonization.

The impact of age on BCG treatment response.

Introduction: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is an immunologic treatment for patients with intermediate and high-risk Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). It has been hypothesized that age related immune impairment might lead to decreased efficacy of BCG in older patients. One recent single-institution study found no association between age > 70 and worse oncologic outcomes in a cohort of 632 patients.