179 results match your criteria: "George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center[Affiliation]"

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with lower cortical thickness (CT) in prefrontal, cingulate, and insular cortices in diverse trauma-affected samples. However, some studies have failed to detect differences between PTSD patients and healthy controls or reported that PTSD is associated with greater CT. Using data-driven dimensionality reduction, we sought to conduct a well-powered study to identify vulnerable networks without regard to neuroanatomic boundaries.

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Importance: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to cause widespread neural disruption in the cerebrum. However, less is known about the association of TBI with cerebellar structure and how such changes may alter executive functioning.

Objective: To investigate alterations in subregional cerebellum volume and cerebral white matter microstructure after pediatric TBI and examine subsequent changes in executive function.

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Objectives: To quantify associations of serum alarmins with risk of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: Using serum collected at enrolment, three alarmins (IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP] and IL-25) were measured in a multicentre prospective RA cohort. ILD was classified using systematic medical record review.

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Background: Electronic health record (EHR) implementations, whether replacing paper or electronic systems, are major social and organizational transformations. Yet studies of EHR-to-EHR transitions have largely neglected to elucidate accompanying social and organizational changes. One such underexplored change is the standardization of clinical practice in the context of EHR transitions.

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Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common form of brain injury. While most individuals recover from mTBI, roughly 20% experience persistent symptoms, potentially including reduced fine motor control. We investigate relationships between regional white matter organization and subcortical volumes associated with performance on the Grooved Pegboard (GPB) test in a large cohort of military Service Members and Veterans (SM&Vs) with and without a history of mTBI(s).

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Pearls & Oy-sters: ATX-FGF14 Mimicking Autoimmune Pathology.

Neurology

October 2023

From the Department of Neurology (Y.H., M.A.W., J.E.A.W., S.M.P., E.S., S.L.C.), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (J.E.A.W.), Department of Radiology (T.R., K.L.S.), University of Utah; and George E. Wahlen Veterans Affairs Medical Center (S.L.C.), Salt Lake City, UT.

ATX-FGF14 (formerly spinocerebellar ataxia 27, OMIM #193003) is an autosomal dominant condition caused by a pathogenic variant in the fibroblast growth factor 14 (, OMIM #601515) gene located on chromosome 13. The phenotypic expression can vary in patients with the same genotype, often delaying diagnosis, especially in probands without known affected relatives and/or with limited available family history. We describe 2 cases of ATX-FGF14 in 1 family with a focus on the importance of differentiating episodic manifestations of neurogenetic conditions from inflammatory/autoimmune neurologic conditions.

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Objective: To assess the demographics, neurologic manifestations, comorbidities, and treatment of patients with seronegative primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review on patients with seronegative pSS evaluated by a neurologist at the University of Utah Health between January 2010 and October 2018. The diagnosis was based on characteristic symptoms, positive minor salivary gland biopsy according to the American-European Consensus Group 2002 criteria, and seronegative antibody status.

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The Role of Neuroimaging in Evolving TBI Research and Clinical Practice.

medRxiv

February 2023

Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Center, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT.

Neuroimaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been widely adopted in the clinical diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly at the more acute and severe levels of injury. Additionally, a number of advanced applications of MRI have been employed in TBI-related clinical research with great promise, and researchers have used these techniques to better understand underlying mechanisms, progression of secondary injury and tissue perturbation over time, and relation of focal and diffuse injury to later outcome. However, the acquisition and analysis time, the cost of these and other imaging modalities, and the need for specialized expertise have represented historical barriers in extending these tools in clinical practice.

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Immunotherapies including checkpoint blockade immunotherapy (CBI) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) have revolutionized cancer treatment for patients with certain cancers. However, these treatments are not effective for all cancers, and even for those cancers that do respond, not all patients benefit. Most cancer patients have elevated levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that are potent inhibitors of antitumor immunity, and clinical and animal studies have demonstrated that neutralization of MDSCs may restore immune reactivity and enhance CBI and CAR-T immunotherapies.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers in neuroscience are using Big Data to improve the reliability and replication of cognitive studies, focusing on memory testing.
  • They conducted a mega-analysis with data from 53 studies, involving over 10,500 individuals, employing methods to harmonize data and reduce variability across different sites.
  • Their findings show that large-scale data sharing can enhance the reproducibility of research in behavioral sciences, and they offer a free conversion tool for this purpose.
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Olfactory impairment in military populations is highly prevalent and often attributed to the long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and chronic psychiatric disorders. The main goal of this investigation was to examine olfactory function in a cohort of combat veterans using a quantitative smell test.Participants underwent a neurological examination, completed performance validity testing (PVT), provided deployment history, and their medical records were reviewed.

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There is accumulating evidence for both peripheral vascular dysfunction and impaired functional capacity in patients with heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Although derangements in the l-arginine-nitric oxide (l-Arg-NO) pathway are likely to contribute to these aspects of HFpEF pathophysiology, the impact of increased NO substrate on vascular health and physical capacity has not been evaluated in this patient population. Thus, using a single-arm study design, we evaluated the impact of enteral l-citrulline (l-Cit, 6 g/day for 7 days), a precursor for l-Arg biosynthesis, on vascular function [flow-mediated dilation (FMD), reactive hyperemia (RH), and passive limb movement (PLM)], functional capacity [6-min walk test (6MWT)], and biomarkers of l-Arg-NO signaling in 14 patients with HFpEF ( = 14, 4 M/10 F, 70 ± 10 yr, EF: 66 ± 7%).

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Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is a debilitating and dose-limiting side effect. Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum and antineoplastic compound that is commonly used to treat colorectal cancer and commonly yields neuropathic side effects. Available drugs such as duloxetine provide only modest benefits against oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.

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The MAPK-interacting kinase (Mnk) family includes Mnk1 and Mnk2, which are phosphorylated and activated in response to extracellular stimuli. Mnk1 contributes to cellular responses by regulating messenger RNA (mRNA) translation, and mRNA translation influences platelet production and function. However, the role of Mnk1 in megakaryocytes and platelets has not previously been studied.

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Blood Pressure Intervention and Control in SPRINT.

Hypertension

September 2022

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, OH (J.T.W.).

Background: The SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) demonstrated reductions in major cardiovascular disease events and mortality with an intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal intervention. However, a detailed description of the blood pressure intervention, antihypertensive medication usage, blood pressure levels, and rates and predictors of blood pressure control has not been reported previously.

Methods: Hypertensive participants (n=9361) 50 years and older with elevated cardiovascular disease risk were randomized 1:1 to SBP goal <120 mm Hg or SBP goal <140 mm Hg.

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Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed by innate immune cells can attenuate pro-inflammatory responses. Silent nAChR agonists, which down-modulate inflammation but have little or no ionotropic activity, are of outstanding clinical interest for the prevention and therapy of numerous inflammatory diseases. Here, we compare two silent nAChR agonists, phosphocholine, which is known to interact with nAChR subunits α7, α9, and α10, and CF3-N,N-diethyl-'-phenyl-piperazine (CF3-diEPP), a previously identified α7 nAChR silent agonist, regarding their anti-inflammatory properties and their effects on ionotropic nAChR functions.

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Mild Traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a signature wound in military personnel, and repetitive mTBI has been linked to age-related neurogenerative disorders that affect white matter (WM) in the brain. However, findings of injury to specific WM tracts have been variable and inconsistent. This may be due to the heterogeneity of mechanisms, etiology, and comorbid disorders related to mTBI.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess whether mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is linked to accelerated brain aging in US military personnel and Veterans.
  • A total of 822 participants underwent MRI scans, with follow-up scans for some, and various cognitive and psychological tests were conducted.
  • Results showed that males with deployment-related mTBI exhibited advanced brain aging, with additional factors like PTSD and depression severity contributing to this acceleration.
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The physical interaction and functional cross talk among the different subtypes of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in the various tissues is unknown. Here, we have investigated this issue between the only two nAChRs subtypes expressed, the α7 and α3β4 subtypes, in a human native neuroendocrine cell (the chromaffin cell) using electrophysiological patch-clamp, fluorescence, and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques. Our data show that α7 and α3β4 receptor subtypes require their mutual and maximal efficacy of activation to increase their expression, to avoid their desensitization, and therefore, to increase their activity.

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Introduction: Adrenal crisis can present with life-threatening complications and mimic autoimmune or infectious encephalitis, and common variable immune deficiency (CVID). The literature regarding the neurological complications of adrenal crisis is limited and focuses on patients who present with hypotension and electrolyte abnormalities.

Case Report: A 30-year-old man presented 3 times to our hospital with encephalopathy, fever, and left sided weakness with a history of multiple autoimmune diseases and prior hospitalizations for encephalopathy.

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Digital neuropsychological test batteries are popular in college athletics; however, well-validated digital tests that are short and portable are needed to expand the feasibility of performing cognitive testing quickly, reliably, and outside standard clinical settings. This study assessed performance on digital versions of Trail Making Test (dTMT) and a modified Symbol Digit Modalities Test (dSDMT) in uninjured collegiate athletes ( = 537; 47% female) using the C3Logix baseline assessment module. Time to complete (dTMT) and the number of correct responses (dSDMT) were computed, transformed into scores, and compared to age-matched normative data from analogous paper-and-pencil tests.

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Thorough identification of risk factors for delayed decline in cognitive performance following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is important for guiding comprehensive post-deployment rehabilitation. In a sample of veterans who reported at least one deployment-related mTBI, preliminary results indicate that factors including a history of loss of consciousness over 1 min, current obesity and hypertension, and Black race were more prevalent in those with decreased scores on a measure of memory function. These factors should be considered by clinicians and researchers working with current and former military personnel.

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