Comparison of Outcomes of Haploidentical Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide in Older Versus Younger Patients.

Background: Previous studies have shown that allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) from an HLA haploidentical (haplo) donor followed by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) results in lower relapse rates and improved DFS when compared to haplo bone marrow transplant (BMT) with PTCy. However, PBSCT leads to higher rates of GVHD. It is unknown whether the benefits of haplo PBSCT may be nullified in older patients (>60 years) by a higher susceptibility to GVHD and transplant related toxicity.

A Review of Telomere Attrition in Cancer and Aging: Current Molecular Insights and Future Therapeutic Approaches.

Background/objectives: As cells divide, telomeres shorten through a phenomenon known as telomere attrition, which leads to unavoidable senescence of cells. Unprotected DNA exponentially increases the odds of mutations, which can evolve into premature aging disorders and tumorigenesis. There has been growing academic and clinical interest in exploring this duality and developing optimal therapeutic strategies to combat telomere attrition in aging and cellular immortality in cancer.

Evolving Trends and Patterns of Utilization of Magnetic Resonance-Guided Radiotherapy at a Single Institution, 2018-2024.

: Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in image-guided radiotherapy (RT) particularly with the introduction of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT). However, the optimal clinical applications of MRgRT are still evolving. The intent of this analysis was to describe our institutional MRgRT utilization patterns and evolution therein, specifically as an early adopter within a center endowed with multiple other technology platforms.

Thrombocytopenia in Critically Ill Children: A Review for Practicing Clinicians.

Thrombocytopenia frequently occurs in patients before, during, and after admission to Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs). In critically ill children, it is often due to multifactorial causes and can be a sign of significant organ dysfunction. This review summarizes the potential causes/mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in acutely ill children, their identification, and treatments, with special attention paid to septic patients.

Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Trends, Mortality, and Socioeconomic Disparities in the U.S., 1998-2020.

Background/objectives: We aim to describe the changing inpatient epidemiology of NAFLD in the U.S. and identify major risk factors associated with mortality in the disease among hospitalized pediatric patients.

Body Composition in Preterm Infants: Current Insights and Emerging Perspectives.

In recent years, significant advancements in respiratory and nutritional care have markedly improved the survival rates of preterm infants and enhanced long-term health outcomes. Despite these improvements, emerging research highlights the lasting impacts of early growth patterns on an individual's health trajectory. Adults born prematurely face a higher incidence of health issues related to their early birth.

Nanoparticles for Biomedical Use Derived from Natural Biomolecules: Tannic Acid and Arginine.

: Tannic acid (TA) is a well-known natural phenolic acid composed of ten gallic acids linked to each other with ester bonding possessing excellent antioxidant properties in addition to antimicrobial and anticancer characteristics. Arginine (ARG) is a positively charged amino acid at physiological pH because of nitrogen-rich side chain. : Here, poly(tannic acid-co-arginine) (p(TA-co-ARG)) particles at three mole ratios, TA:ARG = 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3, were prepared via a Mannich condensation reaction between TA and ARG by utilizing formaldehyde as a linking agent.

Ezetimibe Anticancer Activity via the p53/Mdm2 Pathway.

Background: Ezetimibe is used to treat cardiovascular disease as it blocks the sterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1CL1) protein. However, recent evidence indicates that Ezetimibe inhibits several cancers indirectly by reducing circulating cholesterol or via specific signalling pathways.

Methods And Results: Our in silico studies indicate that Ezetimibe binds to the Tp53 binding domain in Mdm2, forming a more thermodynamically stable complex than nutlin3a.

Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants in the Management of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis-Where Do We Stand?

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of stroke, constituting 0.5-3% of all strokes with an extremely varied spectrum of presentation, predisposing factors, neuroimaging findings, and eventual outcomes. A high index of suspicion is needed because timely diagnosis can significantly alter the natural course of the disease, reduce acute complications, and improve long-term outcomes.

Magnetoelectric Extracellular Vesicle Latency-Targeting (MELT) Nanotherapeutic for the Block-Lock-and-Kill HIV Eradication Strategy.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) establishes latent infections in cellular reservoirs, including microglia. HC69 cells, a microglial model of HIV latency, contain an HIV promoter long terminal repeat (LTR)-GFP reporter and were used for testing the efficacy of a two-step magnetoelectric nanoparticle (MENP) and extracellular vesicle (xEV) latency-targeting (MELT) nanotherapeutic. GFP expression in HC69 at rest is low (GFP), and upon exposure to LTR, transcription-activating agents (i.

Nanoparticle-Based Therapies for Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Neurotrauma, and Stroke.

Neurotrauma, stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are symptomatically diverse and etiologically complex central nervous system pathologies. Despite numerous therapeutic modalities that are available to minimize neurologic damage and secondary injury, the prognosis can still be dismal and unpredictable. Nanoparticle (NP) technology allows for deliberate, modular, and minimally invasive drug delivery.

Supporting Holistic Health and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Risk Reduction Among Young Native Females Prior to Pregnancy: A Qualitative Exploration.

AI/AN communities are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Decreasing the risk of GDM can interrupt the intergenerational cycle of diabetes in AI/AN families, and can decrease diabetes-related health disparities. The goal of this study was to explore ways of supporting holistic health and reducing the risk of GDM among young American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) females prior to pregnancy.

The Safety Profile of Inclisiran in Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Inclisiran is a novel drug that employs ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference to lower the levels of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) protein. It has demonstrated a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels compared to a placebo. We aim to comprehensively evaluate the safety of using Inclisiran in patients with dyslipidemia and ASCVD or an ASCVD risk equivalent.

Characterization and In Vitro Digestion Kinetics of Purified Pulse Starches: Implications on Bread Formulation.

This study investigated the contribution of pulse starches (PSs) to the slowly digestible starch (SDS) properties observed in pulses. Purified pulse starches from 17 commonly consumed pulses were examined, focusing on their digestion kinetics using a pancreatic alpha-amylase (PAA) and rat intestinal acetone powder (RIAP) mixture. Chickpea starch, exhibiting a slow digestibility profile, was incorporated as an ingredient to confer slow digestibility to refined wheat flour bread.

Improving brain health via the central executive network.

Cognitive and physical stress have significant effects on brain health, particularly through their influence on the central executive network (CEN). The CEN, which includes regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and inferior parietal lobe, is central to managing the demands of cognitively challenging motor tasks. Acute stress can temporarily reduce connectivity within the CEN, leading to impaired cognitive function and emotional states.

Managing cyberbullying among adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders: A scoping review.

Purpose: While there is evidence for the effectiveness of programmes targeting cyberbullying in general adolescent populations, less is known for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, who are at heightened risk of involvement in cyberbullying. This scoping review aimed to identify and map the evidence in relation to managing cyberbullying among adolescents aged 10-19 with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Method: The following databases were searched: ProQuest (including dissertations and theses), PsychInfo, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar.

Population genetic structure of Phaedranassa cinerea Ravenna (Amaryllidaceae) and conservation implications.

Background: Andean orography has shaped the endemism of plant species in montane forests, creating a mosaic of habitats in small and isolated areas. Understanding these endemic species' genetic diversity patterns is crucial for their conservation. Phaedranassa cinerea (Amaryllidaceae), a species restricted to the western Andes of Ecuador, is listed as "vulnerable" according to the IUCN criteria.

Dissecting the genetic basis of fruiting efficiency for genetic enhancement of harvest index, grain number, and yield in wheat.

Background: Grain number (GN) is one of the key yield contributing factors in modern wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties. Fruiting efficiency (FE) is a key trait for increasing GN by making more spike assimilates available to reproductive structures. Thousand grain weight (TGW) is also an important component of grain yield.

Development of a checklist for cognitive assessment requirements (CARE) based on a Delphi consensus study.

Situational factors can influence cognitive performance and should be considered for conducting cognitive assessments. The objective of this project was to develop a checklist for Cognitive Assessment Requirements (CARE) to identify these situational factors before conducting cognitive assessments and account for them. This study employed a four-round Delphi approach involving 22 experts to identify situational factors that can impact cognitive assessment results.

Generalized knemidokoptic mange (Micnemidocoptes sp.) in a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from Arkansas, USA.

This report describes a case of generalized knemidokoptic mange caused by Micnemidocoptes sp. in a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In June 2024, an adult male eagle from Polk County, Arkansas, presented with severe skin disease and in a moribund state.

First morphological and molecular description of the ciliate protozoa Buxtonella sulcata (Ciliophora, Vestibuliferida) in cattle in Chile.

Buxtonella sulcata is an intestine ciliate protozoa whose presence in the cattle intestine has been associated with diarrhea episodes. Despite its cosmopolitan distribution, it has yet to be reported in previous studies on cattle in Chile. This study aimed to morphologically and molecularly identify cysts of Balantoides coli-like found in seven cattle samples admitted for parasitological analysis to the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Disease, Faculty of Veterinary and Livestock Sciences, University of Chile, as the ciliate Buxtonella sulcata.

Mechanical thrombectomy in elderly stroke patients with low ASPECTS: insights from STAR.

Background: The elderly population (≥80 years) were underrepresented in recent trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (≤5).

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of 37 thrombectomy centers. The primary cohort of the study comprised patients with LVO-AIS aged ≥80 who underwent EVT with ASPECTS≤5 from 2013 to 2023.