The Association of TSLP and IL-4 with Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

Background: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in mediating the type-2-inflammatory response. This study examined how TSLP and interleukin (IL)-4 levels in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) correlated with clinical and postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Solid-phase sandwich ELISA was used to analyze TSLP and IL-4 levels in mucus (n = 47), plasma (n = 17), polyp (n = 30), inferior (n = 25), and middle (n = 26) turbinate tissue collected during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in CRSwNP patients (n = 76) and controls (n = 11).

Extending the translational science benefits model to implementation science for cancer prevention and control.

Introduction: There is increasing pressure on the federal research budget and shifting public opinions about the value of the academic enterprise. We must develop and apply metrics that demonstrate the broad benefits of research for health and society. The Translational Science Benefits Model (TSBM) measures the impact of large-scale translational science initiatives, such as the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Moonshot.

Magnetic Ball Chain Robots for Cardiac Arrhythmia Treatment.

This paper introduces a novel magnetic navigation system for cardiac ablation. The system is formed from two key elements: a magnetic ablation catheter consisting of a chain of spherical permanent magnets; and an actuation system comprised of two cart-mounted permanent magnets undergoing pure rotation. The catheter design enables a large magnetic content with the goal of minimizing the footprint of the actuation system for easier integration with the clinical workflow.

Adult Plastic Bronchitis: A Rare Cause for Chronic Productive Cough.

Plastic bronchitis is a rare disease with serious morbidity. We report a case of a 48-year-old male smoker with a past medical history of diabetes, emphysema, recurrent respiratory infections, a worsening productive cough, and increased oxygen requirement over the past 3 months. Often described in the pediatric population, it is important to maintain plastic bronchitis in the differential when considering unresolving pulmonary conditions with chronic sputum production.

Concomitant Tricuspid Valve Surgery With Mitral Valve Surgery for Moderate Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: Tricuspid valve surgical procedures (TVS) concomitant with mitral valve (MV) surgical procedures for less than severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains controversial. This study examined the long-term outcomes of patients with moderate or mild to moderate TR undergoing MV surgical procedures with or without TVS.

Methods: Patients with moderate or mild to moderate TR undergoing MV replacement or repair between January 2002 and June 2021 were included.

Risk of Incident Cancer in Veterans with Diabetes Who Use Metformin Versus Sulfonylureas.

Prior research suggests metformin has anti-cancer effects, yet data are limited. We examined the association between diabetes treatment (metformin versus sulfonylurea) and risk of incident diabetes-related and non- diabetes-related cancers in US veterans. This retrospective cohort study included US veterans, without cancer, aged ≥ 55 years, who were new users of metformin or sulfonylureas for diabetes between 2001 to 2012.

Evolving trends in novel sleep tracking and sleep testing technology publications between 2020-2022.

Study Objectives: To update sleep medicine providers regarding (1) published research on the uses and performance of novel sleep tracking and testing technologies (2) the use of artificial intelligence to acquire and process sleep data and (3) research trends and gaps regarding the development and/or evaluation of these technologies.

Methods: Medline and Embase electronic databases were searched for studies utilizing screening and diagnostic sleep technologies, published between 2020 and 2022 in journals focusing on human sleep. Studies' quality was determined based on the Study Design criteria of The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence.

The Population-Based Incidence and Prevalence of Catatonia.

Objective: Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is associated with a range of medical and psychiatric illnesses. Although many single-center studies have been conducted, uncertainty over the population-based incidence and prevalence of the disorder remains. This study reports on the incidence and prevalence rates of catatonia extrapolated from two large epidemiologic studies in the United Kingdom and United States.

Differences in Plasma BDNF Levels Between Chronic Primary Musculoskeletal Pain, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and Asymptomatic Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study compared plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels among chronic primary musculoskeletal pain patients, chronic widespread pain patients, and asymptomatic controls. The study included 126 participants aged 18-65, divided into three groups of 42 each. Pain intensity was assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and plasma BDNF levels were measured via ELISA.

Medication adherence feedback with older adults with cognitive impairment: a mixed Methods study.

Older adults with cognitive impairment are at risk of medication-taking errors. This study assessed the impact of providing medication adherence feedback to cognitively impaired older adults. Forty participants with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia had their medication adherence electronically monitored for 8 weeks.

Abaloparatide Enhances Bone Regeneration in Extraction Socket Dental Implant Defects: An Experimental In Vivo Study.

Objective: Abaloparatide (ABL) is a synthetic parathyroid hormone-related protein analog developed as an anabolic drug to treat osteoporosis. ABL increases bone mineral density (BMD) of the long bones and spine; however, the influence of ABL on alveolar bone regeneration remains unknown. This study assessed the effects of systemic ABL administration on tooth extraction socket healing and dental implant osseointegration in a preclinical rodent model.

Mind the gap in kidney care: Translating what we know into what we do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do.

Effect of daily alcohol intake on sex hormone levels among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitor therapy: a randomized controlled crossover pilot study.

Background: Alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), presumably through its confirmed ability to increase sex hormone levels. Whether consuming alcohol within the recommended limit of one serving per day increases sex hormone levels among postmenopausal women taking aromatase inhibitors (AI) to inhibit estrogen production remains unknown. Therefore, we compared sex hormone levels following white wine to levels following white grape juice among ER + BC survivors taking AIs.

Effectiveness of a comic book intervention on mental health literacy among adolescents and youth in Burkina Faso: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: In Burkina Faso, nearly half of the population is under 15 years old, and one in four adolescents experience depression. This underscores the critical need to enhance mental health literacy among adolescents and youth, empowering them to manage their mental well-being effectively. Comic books offer an engaging approach to health education, yet their effectiveness in addressing mental health remains largely untested.

Effects of sleep quality on the risk of various long COVID symptoms among older adults following infection: an observational study.

Background: The long-term sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its recovery have becoming significant public health concerns. Therefore, this study aimed to enhance the limited evidence regarding the relationship between sleep quality on long COVID among the older population aged 60 years or old.

Methods: Our study included 4,781 COVID-19 patients enrolled from April to May 2023, based on the Peking University Health Cohort.

The effect of the MyBFF@school program on cardiorespiratory fitness in overweight and obese primary schoolchildren: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: MyBFF@school program consisting physical activity in the formed small-sided games (SSG), nutrition and psychology education was designed to combat obesity among schoolchildren in Malaysia. It was expected to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, hence, contributing to obesity treatment and prevention. Thus, we aimed to study the effects of the MyBFF@school program on the cardiorespiratory fitness of overweight and obese primary schoolchildren.

Aberrant neural event segmentation during a continuous social narrative in trauma-exposed older adolescents and young adults.

Post-traumatic stress and major depressive disorders are associated with "overgeneral" autobiographical memory, or impaired recall of specific life events. Interpersonal trauma exposure, a risk factor for both conditions, may influence how symptomatic trauma-exposed (TE) individuals segment everyday events. The ability to parse experience into units (event segmentation) supports memory.

Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Measures on Antiretroviral Therapy Use Among Ugandans Living with HIV in Sero-Different Couples.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and HIV suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) are critical for HIV control and prevention. Extreme restrictions on movement early during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda may have impeded the ability to initiate and sustain access to and use of ART. From our stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial of an integrated PrEP and ART intervention for HIV-serodifferent couples at 12 ART clinics in Uganda, we identified participants who enrolled and had a 6-month post-ART initiation viral load measured before the beginning of the first COVID-19 lockdown (Period 1), participants whose enrollment and 6-month viral load measurement straddled pre-COVID and COVID lockdown times (Period 2), and participants whose enrollment and 6-month viral load were quantified entirely during COVID-19 (Period 3).

Aneurysm dome and vessel pressure measurements with coiling, stent assisted coiling and flow diversion.

Background: Variability in long-term endovascular treatment outcomes for intracranial aneurysms has prompted questions regarding the effects of these treatments on aneurysm hemodynamics. Endovascular techniques disrupt aneurysmal blood flow and shear, but their influence on intra-aneurysmal pressure remains unclear. A better understanding of aneurysm pressure effects may aid in predicting outcomes and guiding treatment decisions.

IRE1α-XBP1 safeguards hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by restricting pro-leukemogenic gene programs.

Hematopoietic stem cells must mitigate myriad stressors throughout their lifetime to ensure normal blood cell generation. Here, we uncover unfolded protein response stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (IRE1α) signaling in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) as a safeguard against myeloid leukemogenesis. Activated in part by an NADPH oxidase-2 mechanism, IRE1α-induced X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) mediated repression of pro-leukemogenic programs exemplified by the Wnt-β-catenin pathway.

Systemic regulation of retinal medium-chain fatty acid oxidation repletes TCA cycle flux in oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Activation of anaplerosis takes away glutamine from the biosynthetic pathways to the energy-producing TCA cycle. Especially, induction of hyperoxia driven anaplerosis in neurovascular tissues such as the retina during early stages of development could deplete biosynthetic precursors from newly proliferating endothelial cells impeding physiological angiogenesis and leading to vasoobliteration. Using an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model, we investigated the metabolic differences between OIR-resistant BALB/cByJ and OIR susceptible C57BL/6J strains at system levels to understand the molecular underpinnings that potentially contribute to hyperoxia-induced vascular abnormalities in the neural retina.

Understanding the Medical Education Experiences of Low-Income Students Through a Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Lens: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Background: Diversity in the physician workforce is critical for quality patient care. Students from low-income backgrounds represent an increasing proportion of medical school matriculants, yet little research has addressed their medical school experiences.

Objective: To explore the medical school experiences of students from low-income backgrounds using a modified version of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (physiologic, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization) as a theoretical framework.

Bolus-Tracked Biphasic Contrast-Enhanced CT Imaging Following Microwave Liver Ablation Improves Ablation Zone Conspicuity and Semi-automatic Segmentation Quality.

Purpose: Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) may be performed immediately following microwave liver ablation for assessment of ablative margins. However, practices and protocols vary among institutions. Here, we compare a standardized bolus-tracked biphasic CECT protocol and compare this with a single venous phase fixed delay protocol for ablation zone (AZ) assessment.