Improving Blood Pressure Control and Tobacco Use Cessation Intervention In Primary Care: Protocol for the Alabama Cardiovascular Cooperative Heart Health Improvement Project.

Background: Alabama has the second highest rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality of any US state and a high prevalence of CVD risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Within the state, there are disparities in CVD outcomes and risk factors by race or ethnicity and geography. Many primary care practices do not have the capacity for full-scale quality improvement (QI) initiatives.

Myometrial Shortening Stimulates Contractility: A Biomechanical Hypothesis for Labor Onset and Progression.

The mechanisms responsible for the onset and progression of labor remain uncertain. Myometrial contractile activity gradually increases until labor onset as a result of a number of intrinsic and hormonal changes, and this a believed to be the essential process responsible for labor. At the same time, the cervix slowly effaces and dilates throughout pregnancy, and these are the only physiologic parameters predictive labor onset.

Longitudinal changes in tenofovir and tenofovir-diphosphate concentrations among pregnant women using oral PrEP for HIV prevention: Findings from Durban, South Africa.

Background: Pregnant women are vulnerable to HIV acquisition. Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective for use during pregnancy. We describe PrEP adherence among pregnant women using multiple measures.

Longitudinal Testing of Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has shown promise as a biomarker for treatment response monitoring (TRM) in a variety of tumor types, with the potential to improve clinical outcomes. We evaluated ctDNA status and dynamics during surveillance and as part of TRM with clinical outcomes in both patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC) treated with standard-of-care immunotherapy or targeted therapy regimens.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective analysis of real-world data obtained from commercial ctDNA testing (Signatera, Natera, Inc) in patients with metastatic RCC.

Alkali exposure: an evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Alkali caustic exposures can occur in the workplace with industrial chemicals, or in the home with common household products. These exposures, whether accidental or intentional, create risk for death or acute injury, such as airway compromise and esophageal or gastric perforation, as well as long-term complications such as stricture formation. Swift diagnosis and grading of these injuries will guide management options and are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Brexpiprazole and Sertraline Combination Treatment in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: New pharmacotherapy options are needed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of brexpiprazole and sertraline combination treatment (brexpiprazole + sertraline) compared with sertraline + placebo for PTSD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a parallel-design, double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted from October 2019 to August 2023.

Staff and Providers' Perceptions of Patients' PrEP Candidacy, Acceptability, and Adherence in Methadone Clinic Settings.

Background: People who use drugs and patients in substance use treatment may be placed at high risk for HIV due to mixing sex and drugs, potential engagement in sex work, and injection drug use. However, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adoption among these populations remains low. Methadone clinics, a main point of contact with the healthcare system for this population, are a missed opportunity to offer biomedical HIV prevention.

Perspectives of the medical oncologist regarding adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer: An international expert survey and case vignette study.

Introduction: Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The decision to initiate chemotherapy involves both patient and physician factors, decision-specific criteria, and contextual considerations. This study aimed to assess medical oncologists' views on adjuvant chemotherapy following pancreatic resection for PDAC.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Toll-like Receptor-4 and the Risk of Developing Skin Cancer.

Exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an established risk factor for skin cancer. Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-mediated immune dysregulation has emerged as a key mechanism for the detrimental effects of acute and chronic UV exposure and skin cancer in mice. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the gene have been reported to increase or decrease susceptibility to various cancers in other organs.

Early user perspectives on using computer-aided detection software for interpreting chest X-ray images to enhance access and quality of care for persons with tuberculosis.

Despite 30 years as a public health emergency, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world's deadliest diseases. Most deaths are among persons with TB who are not reached with diagnosis and treatment. Thus, timely screening and accurate detection of TB, particularly using sensitive tools such as chest radiography, is crucial for reducing the global burden of this disease.

Scalp Bogginess in the Presence of Lichen Planopilaris: Isolated Occurrence or Reactionary Process?

Lipedematous scalp (LS) and lipedematous alopecia (LA) are rare conditions involving focal or diffuse hyperplasia within subcutaneous adipose tissue of the scalp. Little is known regarding the etiology of these conditions, and there is no consensus on management strategies. Overall, the condition is benign and often isolated.

Acute treadmill exercise induces mitochondrial unfolded protein response in skeletal muscle of male rats.

Mitochondria are often referred to as the energy centers of the cell and are recognized as key players in signal transduction, sensing, and responding to internal and external stimuli. Under stress conditions, the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR), a conserved mitochondrial quality control mechanism, is activated to maintain mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis. As a physiological stimulus, exercise-induced mitochondrial perturbations trigger UPR, coordinating mitochondria-to-nucleus communication and initiating a transcriptional program to restore mitochondrial function.

Band Visibility in High-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography Assessed With a Custom Review Tool and Updated, Histology-Derived Nomenclature.

Purpose: For structure-function research at the transition of aging to age-related macular degeneration, we refined the current consensus optical coherence tomography (OCT) nomenclature and evaluated a novel review software for investigational high-resolution OCT imaging (HR-OCT; <3 µm axial resolution).

Method: Volume electron microscopy, immunolocalizations, histology, and investigational devices informed a refined OCT nomenclature for a custom ImageJ-based review tool to assess retinal band visibility. We examined effects on retinal band visibility of automated real-time averaging (ART) 9 and 100 (11 eyes of 10 healthy young adults), aging (10 young vs 22 healthy aged), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD; 22 healthy aged, 17 early (e)AMD, 15 intermediate (i)AMD).

Gait Velocity Alterations in Essential Tremor: a Meta-Analysis.

Essential tremor (ET) is a prevalent movement disorder that impairs gait function, including gait speed - a critical marker of mobility disability and adverse outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify differences in gait speed between individuals diagnosed with ET compared to people without a movement disorder diagnosis. Electronic databases were searched for studies comparing gait speed in ET patients and controls.

Transcriptomic analysis of coxsackievirus B3 infection in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain-like endothelial cells.

Unlabelled: Viral aseptic meningitis is a neuroinflammatory condition that occurs when viruses gain access to the central nervous system (CNS) and induce inflammation. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is comprised of brain endothelial cells (BECs) that stringently regulate the passage of molecules, toxins, and pathogens from the circulation into the CNS. Through their unique properties, such as complex tight junctions, reduced rates of endocytosis, expression of efflux transporters, and restricted expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules, the BBB is often able to limit pathogen entry into the brain; however, certain neurotropic pathogens, such as coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) are able to infect the CNS.

The Ubiquity of Cognitive Impairment in Human Illness: a Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses.

Objective: Cognitive dysfunction occurs in many neurological, psychiatric, and other health conditions. This review aimed to characterize the breadth and degree of cognitive morbidity associated with varied health conditions.

Method: We systematically reviewed Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for meta-analyses of cognitive dysfunction associated with any health condition.

Exploring Spiritual Concerns, Needs, and Resources in Outpatient Healthcare Facilities Serving Under-Resourced Black Patients: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Acknowledging patients' spiritual concerns can enhance well-being and is essential to patient-centered chronic illness care. However, unmet spiritual care needs remain a major area of suffering, particularly among under-resourced populations. Limited research exists on how spiritual concerns are acknowledged and integrated into the care of chronically ill older Black patients in these settings.