A preliminary ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging study of distinct aortic morphologies.

Changes in the microstructure of the aortic wall precede the progression of various aortic pathologies, including aneurysms and dissection. Current clinical decisions with regards to surgical planning and/or radiological intervention are guided by geometric features, such as aortic diameter, since clinical imaging lacks tissue microstructural information. The aim of this proof-of-concept work is to investigate a non-invasive imaging method, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), in ex vivo aortic tissue to gain insights into the microstructure.

Quality End-of-Life Cancer Care: An Unfulfilled but Achievable Imperative.

Background: Disease-focus management of late-stage cancer without addressing patients' preferences or quality of life (QoL) can lead to unsatisfactory patient and disease outcomes.

Methods: A PRISMA-adherent systematic review of the literature was conducted via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar to assess the current late-stage cancer treatment modality, setting, timing, and cost, their impact on patient and disease outcomes, and possible interventions for improvement.

Results: Out of many studies, twelve from North America, Western Europe, and Asia met our inclusion criteria.

Machine learning approach for noninvasive intracranial pressure estimation using pulsatile cranial expansion waveforms.

Noninvasive methods for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring have emerged, but none has successfully replaced invasive techniques. This observational study developed and tested a machine learning (ML) model to estimate ICP using waveforms from a cranial extensometer device (brain4care [B4C] System). The model explored multiple waveform parameters to optimize mean ICP estimation.

Mucus-penetrating microbiota drive chronic low-grade intestinal inflammation and metabolic dysregulation.

Metabolic syndrome is, in humans, associated with alterations in the composition and localization of the intestinal microbiota, including encroachment of bacteria within the colon's inner mucus layer. Possible promoters of these events include dietary emulsifiers, such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate-80 (P80), which, in mice, result in altered microbiota composition, encroachment, low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome. While assessments of gut microbiota composition have largely focused on fecal/luminal samples, we hypothesize an outsized role for changes in mucus microbiota in driving low-grade inflammation and its consequences.

Treatment with a superoxide dismutase mimetic for joint preservation during 35 and 75 days in orbit aboard the international space station, and after 120 days recovery on Earth.

Reduced weight-bearing during spaceflight has been associated with musculoskeletal degradation that risks astronaut health and performance in transit and upon reaching deep space destinations. Previous rodent experiments aboard the international space station (ISS) have identified that the spaceflight-induced molecular arthritic phenotype was characterized with an increase in oxidative stress. This study evaluated if treatment with a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic on orbit could prevent spaceflight-induced damage to the knee and hip articular cartilage, and the menisci in rodents.

The interplay between personal traits and coping strategies on shift-work tolerance: a cross-sectional study.

The ability to adapt to night shift work varies greatly among individuals, but little is known about how personal traits and coping strategies interact to affect shift-work tolerance. This study aimed to identify how certain personal traits (e.g.

Consensus recommendations for measuring the impact of contraception on the menstrual cycle in contraceptive clinical trials.

Objective: We sought to develop consensus recommendations for measurement and analysis of data on contraceptive-induced menstrual changes (CIMCs) in contraceptive clinical trials. We built upon previous standardization efforts over the last 50 years and prioritized input from a variety of global experts and current regulatory authority guidance on patient-reported outcomes.

Study Design: We completed a formal consensus-building process with an interdisciplinary group of 57 experts from 30 organizations and 14 countries in five global regions who work across academia, nonprofit research organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, and funding agencies.

Decoding Cortical Folding Patterns in Marmosets Using Machine Learning and Large Language Model.

Macroscale neuroimaging results have revealed significant differences in the structural and functional connectivity patterns of gyri and sulci in the primate cerebral cortex. Despite these findings, understanding these differences at the molecular level has remained challenging. This study leverages a comprehensive dataset of whole-brain in situ hybridization (ISH) data from marmosets, with updates continuing through 2024, to systematically analyze cortical folding patterns.

Rescue of Interfragmentary Compression in Screw Stripping Failures: The Efficacy of NiTiNOL.

Orthopedic screws are widely used to achieve bone reduction, compression, and construct stability. However, the relationship between insertion torque, interfragmentary compression, and fixation strength, especially when comparing standard screws with NiTiNOL/sustained dynamic compression (SDC), has not been thoroughly investigated. This study measured insertion torque, interfragmentary compression, and fixation strength for two types of headed orthopedic devices-standard and SDC-using solid foam bone replicates and cadaver validation.

Characterizing the relationship between personality dimensions and psychosis-specific clinical characteristics.

Background: Past studies associating personality with psychosis have been limited by small nonclinical samples and a focus on general symptom burden. This study uses a large clinical sample to examine personality's relationship with psychosis-specific features and compare personality dimensions across clinically and neurobiologically defined categories of psychoses.

Methods: A total of 1352 participants with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar with psychosis, as well as 623 healthy controls (HC), drawn from the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network for Intermediate Phenotypes (BSNIP-2) study, were included.

"Evaluating Current Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges in Colorectal Cancer: Strategies for improving care and outcomes in Georgia".

Purpose: An initial analysis of population-based cancer survival data from Georgia revealed lower CRC survival rates compared to high-income countries. We conducted the study to address this issue and propose strategies for enhancing CRC care.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed CRC statistics, reviewed screening programs, and examined published CRC research in Georgia.

How likely is it that a virus or bacteria is causing a patient's symptoms? A new approach to interpret the outcome from multi-pathogen PCR.

Background: Whether a detected virus or bacteria is a pathogen that may require treatment, or is merely a commensal 'passenger', remains confusing for many infections. This confusion is likely to increase with the wider use of multi-pathogen PCR.

Objectives: To propose a new statistical procedure to analyse and present data from case-control studies clarifying the probability of causality.

ISCT MSC committee statement on the US FDA approval of allogenic bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells.

The December 2024 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Mesoblast's Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd)-allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC(M)) therapy-in pediatric acute steroid-refractory graft-versus-host-disease finally ended a long-lasting drought on approved MSC clinical products in the United States. While other jurisdictions-including Europe, Japan, India, and South Korea-have marketed autologous or allogeneic MSC products, the United States has lagged in its approval. The sponsor's significant efforts and investments, working closely with the FDA addressing concerns regarding clinical efficacy and consistent MSC potency through an iterative process that spanned several years, was rewarded with this landmark approval.

Unstable Housing Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Questioning, and Other-Identifying (LGBQ+) Youth - National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2021.

Purpose: To examine differences in unstable housing and health-risk behaviors and experiences by sexual identity among U.S. high school students.

Caffeine, Daytime Sleepiness, and Conduct Problems Among Early Adolescents: A Longitudinal Analysis.

Purpose: Recent research suggests that caffeine use may promote a range of adjustment difficulties among adolescents, particularly during the middle school years. The effects of caffeine are particularly concerning given the increased use of high-dosage caffeine products, such as energy drinks, among youth. We investigated the influence of caffeine use on trajectories of conduct problems among early adolescents.

The effect of registered nurse staffing and skill mix on length of stay and hospital costs.

Background: Sepsis is a common cause of hospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries, often leading to prolonged hospital stays and high costs.

Purpose: To estimate the impact of registered nurse (RN) staffing and skill mix on hospital lengths of stay and associated costs for Medicare beneficiaries with sepsis.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted using 2018 data from 2,107 acute care hospitals, including 653,496 patients with sepsis.

Okra seed polysaccharides mitigate neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment via modulation of Nrf2/HO-1, HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB, NLRP3/Caspase-1, JAK-2/STAT-3, AMPK/SIRT1/m-TOR, PI3K/AKT/CREB/BDNF/TrkB and PERK/CHOP/Bcl-2 axes.

Global healthcare systems are under tremendous strain due to the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders. Growing data suggested that overconsumption of high-fat/high-carbohydrates diet (HFHCD) is associated with enhanced incidence of metabolic alterations, neurodegeneration, and cognitive dysfunction. Functional foods have gained prominence in curbing metabolic and neurological deficits.

Supporting parents in the transition to parenthood through wellbeing interventions; An international scoping review.

Problem: Many first-time parents experience poor wellbeing during the transition to parenthood.

Background: The transition to parenthood can be challenging, with consequences to wellbeing for many first-time parents. While parents are often well-supported to care for their children, there are minimal supports available to care for themselves.

High-throughput precision assessment of pea-derived protein products using near infrared hyperspectral imaging.

This study aims to develop rapid and non-invasive methods based on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics for quantitative prediction of chemical compositions of pea-derived products. Hyperspectral imaging was used to acquire images from pea processing streams, namely pea flour, pea protein concentrate, and pea protein isolate. The PLS algorithm was used to develop quantitative prediction models based on the relationship between the hyperspectral image data and the chemical compositions of the pea products, including moisture, protein, ash, insoluble fiber, and total starch.

Phage M198 and Its Therapeutic Potential.

The rapid worldwide spread of antibiotic resistance is quickly becoming an increasingly concerning problem for human healthcare. Non-antibiotic antibacterial agents are in high demand for many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including . -targeting phages are among the most promising alternative therapy options.

The Status of Wild Grapevine ( L. subsp. (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi) Populations in Georgia (South Caucasus).

Repeated expeditions across various regions of Georgia in the early 2000s led to the identification of 434 wild grapevine individuals ( L. subsp. (C.