Oral vs Intravenous Antibiotics for Fracture-Related Infections: The POvIV Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a serious complication following fracture fixation surgery. Current treatment of FRIs entails debridement and 6 weeks of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Lab data and retrospective clinical studies support use of oral antibiotics, which are less expensive and may have fewer complications than IV antibiotics.

Depressive Symptoms and Amyloid Pathology.

Importance: Depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive decline in older individuals. Uncertainty about underlying mechanisms hampers diagnostic and therapeutic efforts. This large-scale study aimed to elucidate the association between depressive symptoms and amyloid pathology.

Future Directions in the Treatment of Low-Grade Gliomas.

There is major interest in deintensifying therapy for isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant low-grade gliomas, including with single-agent cytostatic isocitrate dehydrogenase inhibitors. These efforts need head-to-head comparisons with proven modalities, such as chemoradiotherapy. Ongoing clinical trials now group tumors by intrinsic molecular subtype, rather than classic clinical risk factors.

Healthy Aging and the Gut Microbiome in People With and Without HIV.

Background: Aging-related comorbidities are more common in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared to people without HIV. The gut microbiome may play a role in healthy aging; however, this relationship remains unexplored in the context of HIV.

Methods: 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted on stool from 1409 women (69% with HIV; 2304 samples) and 990 men (54% with HIV; 1008 samples) in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study.

A systematic review to determine the effect of strategies to sustain chronic disease prevention interventions in clinical and community settings.

This review assessed the effect of strategies designed to sustain the delivery of evidenced based interventions (EBIs) which target behavioural risk factors linked to leading causes of chronic disease in clinical and community settings. Seven electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled studies published from earliest record to November 2022. Studies were included if they tested a strategy to sustain the delivery of an EBI within clinical or community settings.

Itaconate mechanism of action and dissimilation in .

Itaconate, an abundant metabolite produced by macrophages upon interferon-γ stimulation, possesses both antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. Despite its crucial role in immunity and antimicrobial control, its mechanism of action and dissimilation are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that infection of mice with increases itaconate levels in lung tissues.

Dual ligand functionalized pH-sensitive liposomes for metastatic breast cancer treatment: and assessment.

This research demonstrates the design and development of a novel dual-targeting, pH-sensitive liposomal (pSL) formulation of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), , (5-FU-iRGD-FA-pSL) to manage breast cancer (BC). The motivation to explore this formulation is to overcome the challenges of systemic toxicity and non-specific targeting of 5-FU, a conventional chemotherapeutic agent. The proposed formulation also combines folic acid (FA) and iRGD peptides as targeting ligands to enhance tumor cell specificity and penetration, while the pH-sensitive liposomes ensure the controlled drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment.

Schlemm's Bidirectional Fluid Wave and Luminal Blood Reflux as Novel Intra-Operative Signs Confirming Optimal Placement of the iStent.

Purpose: Trabecular micro-bypass devices (TBDs) such as the iStent series (Glaukos Corporation, Laguna Hills, CA), are effective in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). However, precise placement of TBDs is crucial in achieving surgical efficacy, as device malpositioning may lead to suboptimal IOP reduction. We demonstrate two novel intra-operative signs to aid confirmation of accurate iStent placement, without reliance on imaging technologies.

Reevaluating gender-affirming care: biological foundations, ethical dilemmas, and the complexities of gender dysphoria.

This paper critically examines the scientific and ethical underpinnings of gender-affirming care, particularly for minors. While major medical organizations endorse such interventions as medically necessary, the evidence supporting their long-term safety and efficacy remains limited. Research into hormonal, neuroanatomic, and genetic influences reveals a strong biological basis for gender identity, challenging social constructionist arguments.

Identification of 6,8-ditrifluoromethyl halogenated phenazine as a potent bacterial biofilm-eradicating agent.

Bacterial biofilms are surface-attached communities consisting of non-replicating persister cells encased within an extracellular matrix of biomolecules. Unlike bacteria that have acquired resistance to antibiotics, persister cells enable biofilms to demonstrate innate tolerance toward all classes of conventional antibiotic therapies. It is estimated that 50-80% of bacterial infections are biofilm associated, which is considered the underlying cause of chronic and recurring infections.

Association between lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastases in colon cancer: A National Cancer Database analysis.

Aim: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a well-known risk factor in colorectal cancer that is associated with a worse prognosis. The present study aimed to assess the characteristics of patients with LVI-positive colon cancer according to the status of nodal metastases and to study the association between LVI-nodal status and survival.

Method: This retrospective study assessed the association between LVI and lymph node metastases in colon cancer, using data from the National Cancer Database.

Intimate Partner Violence Among LGBTQ+ Adults in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We present the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) among LGBTQ+ adults in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Of 1,234 articles, 22 met inclusion criteria, and data were extracted for 4 key research areas: prevalence, measurement, risk and protective factors, and interventions. LGBTQ+ adults in LAC experience IPV at similar or higher rates than those documented among cisgender heterosexuals, with estimates ranging from 0.

Transcriptional engineering for value enhancement of oilseed crops: a forward perspective.

Plant-derived oils provide 20%-35% of dietary calories and are a primary source of essential omega-6 (linoleic) and omega-3 (α-linolenic) fatty acids. While traditional breeding has significantly increased yields in key oilseed crops like soybean, sunflower, canola, peanut, and cottonseed, overall gains have plateaued over the past few decades. Oilseed crops also experience substantial yield losses in both prime and marginal agricultural areas due to biotic and abiotic stresses and shifting agro-climates.

Recent advances in deep learning and language models for studying the microbiome.

Recent advancements in deep learning, particularly large language models (LLMs), made a significant impact on how researchers study microbiome and metagenomics data. Microbial protein and genomic sequences, like natural languages, form a , enabling the adoption of LLMs to extract useful insights from complex microbial ecologies. In this paper, we review applications of deep learning and language models in analyzing microbiome and metagenomics data.

Enhancing Ophthalmic Care: The Transformative Potential of Digital Twins in Healthcare.

This literature review explores the emerging role of digital twin (DT) technology in ophthalmology, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize personalized medicine. DTs integrate diverse data sources, including genetic, environmental, and real-time patient data, to create dynamic, predictive models that enhance risk assessment, surgical planning, and postoperative care. The review highlights vital case studies demonstrating the application of DTs in improving the early detection and management of diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Charles R. Drew (1904-1950): A Pioneer of Blood Banking.

Dr. Charles Richard Drew, a pioneering figure in modern blood banking and 20th-century medicine, revolutionized blood donation and storage processes, fundamentally shaping the field as we know it today. His extensive work with blood and plasma, combined with an innovative approach to reducing contamination, laid the foundation for modern standards in safety and efficiency.

Efficacy of the Optilume paclitaxel drug-coated balloon after urethroplasty: short-term results from a multicenter study.

Background: The Optilume paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) is a relatively new-to-market alternative in the management of male anterior urethral stricture disease. The pivotal trial excluded patients with a history of urethroplasty, although these strictures may be amenable to endoscopic management. Therefore, we sought to assess the efficacy of the DCB in the management of recurrent strictures following urethroplasty.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Sourced Exosomes as Potentially Novel Remedies for Severe Dry Eye Disease.

Severe dry eye disease (DED) is an inflammatory condition characterized by a lack of sufficient moisture or lubrication on the surface of the eye, significantly impacting the quality of life and visual function. Since detrimental immune response is crucially responsible for the development and aggravation of DED, therapeutic agents which modulate phenotype and function of eye-infiltrated inflammatory immune cells could be used for the treatment of severe DED. Due to their potent immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent potentially new remedies for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases.

Genome Sequence of Three Siphoviruses in the EE, GA and EA5 Actinobacteriophage Clusters: Biscayne, Bush and GreenIvy.

Bacteriophages Biscayne, Bush and GreenIvy were isolated from soil samples in Miami, FL using NRRL B-24224 as host. Transmission electron microscopy shows siphoviral morphologies for all three phages. Based on gene content similarity to other actinobacteriophages, they are assigned to the EE, GA and EA5 clusters, respectively.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Cluster DJ Actinobacteriophage, Petito, isolated on the host .

Gordonia phage Petito is a newly discovered siphovirus that infects NRRL B-16540. The double-stranded DNA genome of this phage is 60,447 bp long with 93 predicted protein-coding genes and no tRNAs. Petito is a Cluster DJ phage.

Genome sequence of WestPM, a phage infecting isolated from beach environmental samples.

Bacteriophage WestPM is a siphoviral-like phage infecting isolated from environmental samples collected on Pensacola Beach, FL. The genome of this phage is 39,693 bp long and contains 59 predicted protein-coding genes and zero tRNA genes. Based on gene content similarity, WestPM is grouped in the actinobacteriophage EA11 subcluster.

Associations of Concordant and Shared Lung Cancer Screening Decision Making with Decisional Conflict: A Multi-Institution Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Unlabelled: Many organizations recommend structured communication processes, including formal shared decision making (SDM), for patients undergoing lung cancer screening (LCS) using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). We sought to understand if concordant and shared LCS decision making was associated with decisional conflict. In this prospective, observational study, we enrolled patients from 3 medical centers (2 Veterans Health Administration, 1 academic facility) after a decision-making interaction about undergoing LCS but before receiving the LDCT.

Geographic origin and evolution of dengue virus serotypes 1 and 3 circulating in Africa.

Despite the increasing burden of dengue in Kenya and Africa, the introduction and expansion of the virus in the region remain poorly understood. The objective of this study is to examine the genetic diversity and evolutionary histories of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes 1 and 3 in Kenya and contextualize their circulation within circulation dynamics in the broader African region. Viral RNA was extracted from samples collected from a cohort of febrile patients recruited at clinical sites in Kenya from 2013 to 2022.