QOMIC: quantum optimization for motif identification.

Motivation: Network motif identification (MI) problem aims to find topological patterns in biological networks. Identifying disjoint motifs is a computationally challenging problem using classical computers. Quantum computers enable solving high complexity problems which do not scale using classical computers.

Preoperative Predictors of Soft Tissue Releases Required for Femoral Exposure in Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Sequential soft tissue releases are utilized in direct anterior approach (DAA) total hip arthroplasty (THA) as incomplete femoral exposure may lead to complications. This study identifies patient-specific parameters associated with soft tissue releases required for femoral exposure.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 133 patients (150 hips) who underwent primary THA via DAA with a single surgeon.

Transdisciplinary perspectives for health systems science.

Health systems science uses systems thinking as part of a transdisciplinary approach that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It integrates and synthesizes knowledge from multiple disciplines to address real-world problems in healthcare with pragmatic solutions. This editorial defines health systems from the perspectives of systems thinking, science, and engineering, discusses their current challenges and opportunities, and envisions how health systems science as a field can advance the continuous learning and improvement of health systems.

The GAA repeat expansion is a major cause of ataxia in the Cypriot population.

Dominantly inherited intronic GAA repeat expansions in the fibroblast growth factor 14 gene have recently been shown to cause spinocerebellar ataxia 27B. Currently, the pathogenic threshold of (GAA) repeat units is considered highly penetrant, while (GAA) is likely pathogenic with reduced penetrance. This study investigated the frequency of the GAA repeat expansion and the phenotypic profile in a Cypriot cohort with unresolved late-onset cerebellar ataxia.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to choline unavailability and NAFLD development.

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) poses a growing global health concern, yet its complex aetiology remains incompletely understood. Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiome and choline metabolism in NAFLD pathogenesis. This study aims to elucidate the association of choline-consuming bacteria in gut microbiome with choline level.

The role of information science within the clinical translational science ecosystem.

Academic health sciences libraries ("libraries") offer services that span the entire research lifecycle, positioning them as natural partners in advancing clinical and translational science. Many libraries enjoy active and productive collaborations with Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program hubs and other translational initiatives like the IDeA Clinical & Translational Research Network. This article explores areas of potential partnership between libraries and Translational Science Hubs (TSH), highlighting areas where libraries can support the CTSA Program's five functional areas outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Circulating Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma associated MYB transcripts enable rapid and sensitive detection of metastatic disease in blood liquid biopsies.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and lethal malignancy that originates in secretory glands of the head and neck. A prominent molecular feature of ACC is the overexpression of the proto-oncogene MYB. ACC has a poor long-term survival due to its high propensity for recurrence and protracted metastasis.

Blockchain Based Secure Federated Learning With Local Differential Privacy and Incentivization.

Interest in supporting Federated Learning (FL) using blockchains has grown significantly in recent years. However, restricting access to the trained models only to actively participating nodes remains a challenge even today. To address this concern, we propose a methodology that incentivizes model parameter sharing in an FL setup under Local Differential Privacy (LDP).

Systemic Predictors of Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema in an Adult Veteran Population.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of systemic and serum measures and hypoglycemic medications on the initial presentation and ongoing development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME).

Design: Using Veterans Affairs electronic health records, we identified patients with a diabetes mellitus diagnosis and at least one eye examination between 1997 and 2010. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, we used multivariable Cox regression models to evaluate the association of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, blood pressure, albuminuria, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and prescribed medications with the subsequent diagnosis of 1) any diabetic eye disease (defined for this analysis as DR and/or DME, 2) diabetic retinopathy, and 3) diabetic macular edema.

Trends in treatment and epidemiology of radial head fractures.

Objective: We aimed to assess the recent trends in the demographics of radial head and neck fractures and their management based on displacement.

Methods: TriNetX was queried for cases from 1 January 2017, through 31 December 2022. ICD diagnosis codes were used to define patient cohorts with radial head or neck fractures.

Angiotensin III activates ERK1/2 mitogen activated protein kinases and proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

The proliferative effects of angiotensin (Ang) II in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through its ability to stimulate extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway have been established. The main goal of this study was to explore whether Ang III induces ERK1/2 MAPK and VSMC proliferation in cultured Wistar VSMCs. Further, the Ang III actions were compared to those observed in VSMCs derived from the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).

Miniaturized Liver Disease Mimics to Gain Insights into MMP Expression during Disease Progression.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of liver conditions, ranging from hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and severe outcomes such as cirrhosis or cancer. The progression from hepatic steatosis to fibrosis involves significant extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, characterized by increased collagen deposition and cross-linking of ECM proteins, causing increased tissue stiffness and altered MMP expression patterns. Dysregulated MMP expression and extracellular acidosis are key contributors to NAFLD progression.

Effect of genetic and vascular risk factors on rates of cognitive decline in early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Although previous studies have shown that cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with various risk factors, they primarily focused on late-onset AD (LOAD).

Objective: We aim to evaluate the differential impact of risk factors on the cognitive decline between early-onset AD (EOAD, onset < 65 years) and LOAD (onset 65 years) and explore the longitudinal effect of Apolipoprotein E allele 4 ( ε4) on cortical atrophy in both cohorts.

Methods: Using data from 212 EOAD and 1101 LOAD participants in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), we conducted multivariable mixed-effect models to evaluate the impact of ε4, education, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and body mass index on cognitive performance.

Overview of Molecular Prognostication for Common Solid Tumor Histologies - What the Surgeon Should Know.

Study Design: Narrative Literature review.

Objective: To provide a general overview of important molecular markers and targeted therapies for the most common neoplasms (lung, breast, prostate and melanoma) that metastasize to the spine and offer guidance on how to best incorporate them in the clinical setting.

Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline databases, as well as the histology-specific National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines to identify relevant articles limited to the English language.

Prevention and Management of Posterior Wound Complications Following Oncologic Spine Surgery: Narrative Review of Available Evidence and Proposed Clinical Decision-Making Algorithm.

Study Design: Narrative Review.

Objective: Contextualized by a narrative review of recent literature, we propose a wound complication prevention and management algorithm for spinal oncology patients. We highlight available strategies and motivate future research to identify optimal and individualized wound management for this population.

Latest Developments in Targeted Biological Therapies in the Management of Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: The objective of this review paper was to summarize targeted molecular therapy options for spinal chordoma and chondrosarcoma, and to provide an update on the relevant clinical trials open for recruitment.

Methods: A systematic review of the current literature was performed, according to PRISMA guidelines, to summarize the latest developments in non-surgical molecular treatment options for low grade malignant primary spinal tumours.

Role of Posterior Carbon Fiber Implants in Spine Tumor Surgery.

Study Design: Narrative Review.

Objective: The management of spinal tumors requires a multi-disciplinary approach including surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy. Surgical approaches typically require posterior segmental instrumentation to maintain long-term spinal stability.

Prevalence and management of neuropathic injury caused by dental implant insertion in mandible: a systematic review.

To synthesize scientific knowledge regarding the prevalence of neuropathies and nerve injuries caused by dental implant placement in mandible and the available management. Observational and interventional studies evaluating neuropathies occurrence in adults who underwent dental implant surgery were included. Any neuropathy diagnostic was accepted.

Severe coronary artery ectesia in a paediatric patient with Noonan syndrome presenting for transcatheter pulmonary valve placement.

Coronary ectasia is a very rare phenomenon seen in Noonan syndrome with only a few documented case reports. We describe a 14-year-old with Noonan syndrome and tetralogy of Fallot with described coronary artery ectasia since infancy who presented for possible transcatheter pulmonary valve placement and was found to have severe ectasia of bilateral coronary arteries.

Laser scarecrows reduce avian corn-foraging propensity but not bout length in aviary trials.

Background: Behavioral mechanisms underlying avian deterrence by lasers in sweet corn are not known, and we evaluated them in a rigorous aviary experiment. Eighteen flocks of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) foraged on sweet corn for several days in control and laser treated plots with ripe sweet corn while data were collected on where birds were distributed and how long birds foraged on corn. In 16 trials, fresh ears were presented on wooden sticks, and in two trials birds foraged on natural corn grown from seed.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Surgical Approach to the Volar Ulnar Corner of the Distal Radius.

There are many approaches to the wrist both volar and dorsal, depending on the injury at hand. The design of the volar locking plate has created a rise in distal radius fractures being treated using a volar FCR approach and its modifications. It does, however, have limitations in visualization of the volar ulnar corner of the radius.

Knee Extensor and Flexor Force Control after ACL Injury and Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Reduced force control after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction may contribute to poor function. Various metrics (linear and nonlinear) have been employed to quantify force control. The aims of this review were to synthesize evidence assessing knee extensor and flexor force control after ACL injury (ACLD) or reconstruction (ACLR) and to investigate the potential effects of injury management (e.

Lumpectomy Patients are at Highest Risk for Opioid Overprescription: A Comparison Between Practice Patterns and OPEN National Guidelines.

Background: Nearly 25% of opioid-related deaths are from prescribed opioids, and the exacerbation of the opioid epidemic by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic underscores the urgent need to address superfluous prescribing. Therefore, we sought to align local opioid prescribing practices with national guidelines in postoperative non-metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methods: A single-institution analysis included non-metastatic breast surgery patients treated between April 2020 and July 2021.

Characteristics and recovery trends of severe TBI patients with a favorable functional outcome at 6-month follow-up.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a devastating cause of death and disability. Outcomes following TBI have been extensively studied; however, less attention has been given to identifying characteristics of individuals who have a favorable outcome following severe TBI. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a database containing information on TBI patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center between 2015 and 2021.