Comparison of Liquid to Particle Embolics in a Translational Rat Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Histologic and Radiographic Responses.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of transarterial embolization (TAE) using a liquid embolic (LE) to TAE using a particle embolic (PE) based on radiographic and histologic response in a translational rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: HCC was induced in Wistar rats using diethylnitrosamine. Tumor response was determined through RECIST applied to T2-weighted MRI scans.

Examining cocaine use reductions and long-term outcomes in two clinical trials of continuing care for cocaine dependence.

Background: There is a need to identify clinically meaningful non-abstinent endpoints for cocaine use disorder (CUD) clinical trials. In this study, we sought to replicate and extend prior work validating reductions in cocaine use frequency levels as an endpoint by examining associations between reductions in cocaine use frequency and long-term functioning outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of two randomized clinical trials (N = 445; 77.

Buprenorphine Receipt and Retention for Opioid Use Disorder Following an Initiative to Increase Access in Primary Care.

Objectives: Buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), is underutilized in general medical settings. Further, it is inequitably received by racialized groups and persons with comorbidities. The Veterans Health Administration launched an initiative to increase buprenorphine receipt in primary care.

Towards shortening the Brief Addiction Monitor-Revised (BAM-R).

Introduction: The Brief Addiction Monitor-Revised (BAM-R) is a widely used, 17-item assessment of substance use, risk, and protective factors associated with recovery from substance use disorders. Despite wide adoption in the U.S.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Are Dimorphic Sex-Specific Diseases With Shared Complex Genetic Architecture.

Background: The risk of arterial diseases may be elevated among family members of individuals having multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). We sought to investigate the risk of arterial diseases in families of individuals with FMD.

Methods: Family histories for 73 probands with FMD were obtained, which included an analysis of 463 total first-degree relatives focusing on FMD and related arterial disorders.

Fluid administration strategies for the prevention of contrast-associated acute kidney injury.

Purpose Of Review: The known timing of contrast media exposure in patients identified as high-risk for contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) enables the use of strategies to prevent this complication of intravascular contrast media exposure. Although multiple preventive strategies have been proposed, periprocedural fluid administration remains as the primary preventive strategy. This is a critical review of the current evidence evaluating a variety of fluid administration strategies in CA-AKI.

Short-Stay Hospitalizations for Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Patients requiring hospital care for COVID-19 may be stable for discharge soon after admission. This study sought to describe patient characteristics associated with short-stay hospitalization for COVID-19.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to five United States hospitals from March to December 2020.

Combined Hydrogel and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Moderate-Severity Disc Degeneration in Goats.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a cascade of cellular, structural, and biomechanical changes that is strongly implicated as a cause of low-back pain. Current treatment strategies have poor long-term efficacy as they seek only to alleviate symptoms without preserving or restoring native tissue structure and function. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined triple interpenetrating network hydrogel (comprising dextran, chitosan, and teleostean) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy targeting moderate-severity disc degeneration in a clinically relevant goat model.

Inflammatory cytokine and catabolic enzyme expression in a goat model of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is implicated as a leading cause of low back pain. Persistent, local inflammation within the disc nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) is an important mediator of disc degeneration and negatively impacts the performance of therapeutic stem cells. There is a lack of validated large animal models of disc degeneration that recapitulate clinically relevant local inflammation.

Learning Health Systems and the Revised Common Rule.

Quality improvement (QI) is an important function of learning health systems, and public policy should promote QI activities. Use of systematic methodologies in QI has prompted substantial confusion regarding when QI is human subjects research under the Common Rule, and this confusion persists with the revised Rule. Difficulty distinguishing research from QI imposes costs on the quality improvement process.

Electrospun PLGA Nanofiber Scaffolds Release Ibuprofen Faster and Degrade Slower After In Vivo Implantation.

While delayed delivery of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been associated with improved tendon healing, early delivery has been associated with impaired healing. Therefore, NSAID use is appropriate only if the dose, timing, and mode of delivery relieves pain but does not impede tissue repair. Because delivery parameters can be controlled using drug-eluting nanofibrous scaffolds, our objective was to develop a scaffold for local controlled release of ibuprofen (IBP), and characterize the release profile and degradation both in vitro and in vivo.

Can stories influence African-American patients' intentions to change hypertension management behaviors? A randomized control trial.

Objectives: Information-only interventions for hypertension management have limited effectiveness, particularly among disadvantaged populations. We assessed the impact of viewing African-American patients' stories of successfully controlling hypertension on intention to change hypertension management behaviors and engagement with educational materials.

Methods: In a three-site randomized trial, 618 African-American Veterans with uncontrolled hypertension viewed an information-only DVD about hypertension (control) or a DVD adding videos of African-American Veterans telling stories about successful hypertension management (intervention).

Therapeutic options for cutaneous lupus erythematosus: recent advances and future prospects.

Introduction: Treatment and prevention are of critical importance in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), as the disease can have a devastating effect on patient well-being and quality of life.

Areas Covered: We conducted a selective search of the PubMed database for articles published between December 2010 and November 2015. This review encompasses both non-pharmaceutical (photoprotection, smoking cessation, drug withdrawal, and vitamin D replacement) and pharmaceutical (topicals, antimalarials, immunosuppressives, biologics, etc.

Female Physicians and the Future of Endocrinology.

Context: Given that approximately 70% of current endocrinology fellows are women, female physicians will compose the majority of the future endocrinology workforce. This gender shift partly reflects an apparent waning of interest in endocrinology among male trainees. It also coincides with a projected shortage of endocrinologists overall.