A Novel Rabbit Model of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction-Induced Dry Eye.

Purpose: The objective of this three-phase study was to develop a model of mild to moderate evaporative dry eye to be used to evaluate tear film stability endpoints during product development.

Methods: Rabbits were sedated prior to ophthalmic cautery of meibomian gland orifices. The orifices of eyelid meibomian glands were half-cauterized (to yield obstruction of every other meibomian gland orifices), fully cauterized (to yield obstruction of all meibomian gland orifices), or untreated.

Hepatocyte Rho-associated kinase signaling is required for mice to survive experimental porphyria-associated liver injury.

Background: Rho-associated kinases 1 and 2 (ROCK1 and ROCK2) regulate critical cell functions, including actomyosin contractility, apoptosis, and proliferation. Some studies suggest that ROCK inhibition may serve as a treatment for liver fibrosis. More investigation is needed to understand the role of hepatocyte ROCK signaling in vivo, especially in the context of profibrotic liver injury.

Sexual Racism and Queer Asian American Men's Depression and Hazardous Drinking.

While research suggests that sexual racism is prevalent within the gay community, studies have neglected to examine how this specific manifestation of racism influences queer Asian American men's mental health. Queer Asian American men's health outcomes are often overlooked as racism-related studies tend to homogenize queer Asian American men with queer men of color broadly. Thus, the present study examined the association between sexual racism and queer Asian American men's depressive symptomatology and hazardous drinking, as well as the moderating role of collective racial self-esteem.

Albumin-Energized NIR-II Cyanine Dye for Fluorescence/Photoacoustic/Photothermal Multi-Modality Imaging-Guided Tumor Homologous Targeting Photothermal Therapy.

Endowing cyanine dyes with hydrophilicity, long blood circulation, tumor targeting, and robust therapeutic efficacy in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window is challenging for cancer treatment. Herein, we develop cancer cell membrane-coated albumin-NIR-II cyanine dye assemblies, denoted as LZ-1105@HAm, to optimize the photophysical properties of cyanine dyes in aqueous solution for NIR-II fluorescence (FL)/photoacoustic (PA)/photothermal (PT) multimodality imaging-guided tumor homologous targeting photothermal therapy. LZ-1105@HAm exhibits good hydrophilicity, extends the half-life of blood circulation from 0.

Refractory Psychosis as a Red Flag for End of Life in Individuals With Dementia With Lewy Bodies: A Case Series and Re-analysis of Prior Qualitative Data.

Objectives: Many individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) die of disease-related complications, but predicting the end of life can be challenging. We identified a phenotype associated with approaching end of life.

Methods: We present 4 exemplar cases where individuals with DLB experienced refractory psychosis before death.

Microbial surveillance versus cytokine responsiveness in native and non-native house sparrows.

The success of introduced species often relies on flexible traits, including immune system traits. While theories predict non-natives will have weak defences due to decreased parasite pressure, effective parasite surveillance remains crucial, as infection risk is rarely zero and the evolutionary novelty of infection is elevated in non-native areas. This study examines the relationship between parasite surveillance and cytokine responsiveness in native and non-native house sparrows, hypothesizing that non-natives maintain high pathogen surveillance while avoiding costly inflammation.

Using Routine Activity Theory to Predict Technology- Facilitated Violence Among U.S. Adults During COVID-19.

Using routine activity theory (RAT), the present study investigated predictors of two types of technology-facilitated violence: cyber obsessional pursuit victimization (COPV) and Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale (CARS), during COVID-19 among a sample of U.S. adults ( = 2,975).

Structural and functional brain correlates of the neutrophil- and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Skews in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) increasingly demonstrate prognostic capability in a range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. There has been a recent uptick in structural and functional magnetic responance imaging data corroborating the role of NLR and MLR in a cluster of neuropsychiatric disorders that are characterized by cognitive, affective, and psychomotor dysfunction. Moreover, these deficits are mostly evident in setting of acute and chronic disease comorbidity implicating aging and immunosenescent processes in the manifestation of these geriatric syndromes.

Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters and naloxone distribution from syringe services programs: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs in the United States.

Background: In response to the recent and growing shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the United States are distributing safer smoking supplies. There is a lack of research on whether safer smoking supply distribution is associated with increased SSP engagement and naloxone distribution from SSPs. Therefore, we aimed to assess predictors of safer smoking supply distribution by SSPs and estimate associations between safer smoking supply distribution and scale of harm reduction services.

Pouchitis unveiled: exploring clinical features, diagnosis, and cutting-edge treatments.

Last decades led to a revolution in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC), due to the development of novel advanced therapies and the identification of increasingly ambitious therapeutic goals. Nevertheless, a subset of patients, refractory to available therapies, still requires proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Pouchitis, an inflammatory condition of the ileal pouch, is the most common long-term complication of IPAA, affecting almost one-half of patients in the first 10 years after surgery.

Safety and feasibility of En-bloc holmium laser enucleation for very large prostates (> 200 cc) with trainee involvement.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of "en-bloc" Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) with trainee involvement in patients with prostates larger than 200 cc.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing HoLEP using the "en-bloc" technique for prostate sizes > 200 cc between July-2017 and December-2023 at an academic teaching hospital. Perioperative data was collected, including patient demographics, clinical parameters, operative details and functional outcomes.

COVID-19 Stress is Associated with Increased Smoking among People with HIV in Western Washington: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: People living with HIV (PWH) frequently have co-morbid substance use disorders that may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined associations between COVID-related stress and increased substance use among PWH in Washington State.

Methods: Between August 2020 and March 2021, we conducted an online survey of 397 PWH in Western Washington.

Protective effect of CK2 against endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic β cells.

Unlabelled: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to obesity or systemic insulin resistance is an important pathogenic factor that could lead to pancreatic β-cell failure. We have previously reported that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is highly induced by ER stress in pancreatic β cells. Moreover, its accumulation hampers the response of these cells to ER stress by inhibiting the induction of the molecular chaperone 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78).

Can social pain be medicated away? A pilot study on everyday discrimination and its exacerbation of opioid misuse risk in people of color with chronic pain.

Despite mounting evidence of a robust relation between discrimination and poor pain outcomes in people of color (POC) with chronic pain, little is known about everyday discrimination's role in increasing the risk of opioid misuse and its potential interactive effects. This study aimed to evaluate the potential moderating effect of everyday discrimination on the relationship between chronic pain severity and the risk of opioid misuse among POC with chronic pain. Everyday discrimination was assessed using the 9-item Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS), while the risk of opioid misuse was measured with the 14-item Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP).

Exploring Dual-Targeted Therapy in the Management of Moderate to Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), often results in significant morbidity among patients with moderate to severe forms. While biologics and small molecules are effective in inducing remission, many patients experience refractory disease or extraintestinal manifestations. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of dual-targeted therapy in IBD patients treated at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center.

Increased expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 () in cervical cells on day 14 of pregnancy in Holstein heifers.

In cattle, expression of IFN-stimulated genes in the female reproductive tract has been reported as an early pregnancy diagnostic tool, as early as d 17 of pregnancy. The hypothesis of this study was that expression of in the cervix of pregnant heifers is increased on d 14 of pregnancy. The objective was to compare the expression of in cervical cells between pregnant and cyclic heifers (control, sham-inseminated) on d 14, 16, and 18 after insemination (d 0).

Lack of effect of cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulation during prematuration in vitro on development to the blastocyst stage and expression of specific genes associated with lineage commitment.

Pharmacological elevation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) of cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) before or coincident with initiation of maturation has been reported to improve outcomes for various systems for in vitro production of embryos. Here it was hypothesized that artificial elevation of cAMP in the oocyte for a 2-h period of prematuration would improve developmental competence of matured oocytes and result in increased blastocyst yield and altered expression of genes important for embryonic differentiation. Treated COC were cultured for 2 h with dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), a membrane-permeable form of cAMP, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), which inhibits phosphodiesterases that convert cAMP to ATP.

Comparing rumen fluid collection methods on fermentation profile and microbial population in lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to compare fermentation profile and microbial diversity from rumen samples collected using a rumen cannula (RC) or stomach tube (ST) in lactating dairy cows. Three ruminally cannulated lactating dairy cows were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The experimental period was 28 d and rumen fluid was collected 4 h after feeding on d 22 and 26 of each experimental period.

Comparison of percutaneous coronary intervention vs coronary artery bypass graft for left main coronary artery disease in patients with prior cerebrovascular disease: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Background: Previous studies suggest similar cardiovascular (CV) benefits for either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD). However, limited data exist on the influence of prior cerebrovascular disease (CEVD). Thus, we aim to compare the CV outcomes in patients with LMCAD and prior CEVD, undergoing either PCI or CABG.

Tele-ophthalmology as an effective triaging tool for acute ophthalmic concerns.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to determine baseline demographics and utilization trend of an on-demand, synchronous tele-ophthalmology triage program in evaluating acute ophthalmic concerns during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Methods: Setting: Single-center retrospective chart review of telemedicine visits conducted by ophthalmologists and optometrists from University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Patient population: 6227 patients comprised 7138 telehealth encounters.

Compression of the Ulnar Nerve Following Carpal Tunnel Release.

Given the proximity and shared structures of Guyon's canal and the carpal tunnel, compression of the ulnar nerve is a rarely observed but possible complication of carpal tunnel release. In this case report, a patient underwent previous carpal tunnel release and immediately experienced ipsilateral hand weakness in keeping with an ulnar nerve compression syndrome. Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings after carpal tunnel release demonstrated a compression or injury to the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve not previously present.

Identification of potential therapeutic phytocompounds targeting the G-glycoprotein of Nipah Virus: an in-silico study.

Public health is seriously threatened by the highly pathogenic zoonotic Nipah virus (NIV). Since no effective medicines or vaccines exist, it is imperative to investigate potential therapeutic molecules against NIV. In this research, we concentrated on the G-glycoprotein of NIV as a potential therapeutic target.

Closed Preservation Rhinoplasty in the Mestizo Patient: Challenges and Techniques for Nasal Tip Support.

Background: Closed preservation rhinoplasty continues to grow in popularity. Nevertheless, many surgeons remain wary of doing closed preservation rhinoplasty in certain patient populations. Mestizo noses have a thick soft-tissue envelope and weak nasal tip support.