Alcohol-induced gut microbial reorganization and associated overproduction of phenylacetylglutamine promotes cardiovascular disease.

The mechanism(s) underlying gut microbial metabolite (GMM) contribution towards alcohol-mediated cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown. Herein we observe elevation in circulating phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln), a known CVD-associated GMM, in individuals living with alcohol use disorder. In a male murine binge-on-chronic alcohol model, we confirm gut microbial reorganization, elevation in PAGln levels, and the presence of cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Light-dependent modulation of protein localization and function in living bacteria cells.

Most bacteria lack membrane-enclosed organelles and rely on macromolecular scaffolds at different subcellular locations to recruit proteins for specific functions. Here, we demonstrate that the optogenetic CRY2-CIB1 system from Arabidopsis thaliana can be used to rapidly direct proteins to different subcellular locations with varying efficiencies in live Escherichia coli cells, including the nucleoid, the cell pole, the membrane, and the midcell division plane. Such light-induced re-localization can be used to rapidly inhibit cytokinesis in actively dividing E.

Teamwork Coaching in the Research Development Process.

Proposal teams play a critical, yet understudied, role in team science. This study advances our understanding of teamwork coaching in the research development (RD) process by analyzing proposal support in a U.S.

Cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ crosstalk in the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease.

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a growing global health concern and its prevalence and severity are increasing steadily. While bacterial endotoxin translocation into the portal circulation is a well-established key factor, recent evidence highlights the critical role of sterile inflammation, triggered by diverse stimuli, in alcohol-induced liver injury. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interactions within the hepatic microenvironment in ALD.

The efficacy of longer-term lebrikizumab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who did not meet protocol-defined response criteria at week 16 in two randomized controlled clinical trials.

Background: Lebrikizumab demonstrated statistically significant improvements in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis at week 16 with a durable response up to week 52.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of lebrikizumab-treated patients at 52 weeks who did not achieve the ADvocate1 and ADvocate2 protocol-defined response criteria (≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI 75] or Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] 0/1 with ≥2-point improvement without rescue medication) after 16 weeks.

Methods: This analysis includes observed data for patients who received lebrikizumab every 2 weeks during the induction period, did not achieve the protocol-defined response, and subsequently received open-label lebrikizumab treatment.

Physicians' Preference for Carotid Revascularization Impacts Postoperative Stroke and Death Outcomes.

Background: TransCarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) is a safe minimally invasive option for patients with carotid artery stenosis who are not appropriate candidates for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Many physicians have not yet adopted this technique in the management of carotid artery stenosis. The aim of this study is to explore overall outcomes of carotid revascularization based on physicians' practices in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI).

PET/CT for perforator identification in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap harvest.

Background: CT angiography (CTA) is used for preoperative localization in deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps, but is an additional costly study that involves contrast and radiation exposure. Many patients with head and neck cancer already undergo PET/CT. We investigated if PET/CT could be used to preoperatively localize perforators and if this corresponded with the intraoperative location.

Optimizing recovery in first-episode psychosis: A systematic review of psychosocial interventions.

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) across multiple recovery outcomes. Drawing from 35 studies, the analysis synthesizes evidence on symptom reduction, social and role functioning improvement, continuity of care, hospitalization rates, and other psychological outcomes. Regarding symptom reduction, specialized FEP programs demonstrated decreases across positive, negative, and general symptoms.

The electricity cost burden of durable medical equipment in the United States.

Those who rely on durable medical equipment (DME) for their health are more likely to be energy insecure and face higher energy burdens than those who do not. In this article, we evaluate the costs of electricity to run DMEs. We find that the average cost across the most common types of high-frequency DMEs-including oxygen concentrators, continuous positive airway pressure machines, and peritoneal kidney dialysis machines-is between $120 and $333 per year, depending on device size and usage frequency.

Clinical Outcomes for Workers' Compensation versus Commercially Insured Patients Following Ambulatory Lumbar Decompression: A Cohort Matched Analysis with Two-Year Follow-Up.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes for workers' compensation (WC) versus commercially insured (CI) patients undergoing lumbar decompression (LD) at an ambulatory surgical center (ASC).

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing propensity score matched groups. Patients undergoing elective LD at an ASC with two-year follow-up were identified and grouped based on insurance type (WC or CI).

Defining the needle in a haystack: A compendium of genomic, pathologic, and clinical characteristics of rare pulmonary tumors.

A major paradigm shift in the diagnosis, management, and survival outcomes of early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer has transpired over the past few decades in thoracic oncology with the incorporation of molecular testing, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant approaches. However, transformation in the management and survival outcomes of rare lung tumors is lacking. Given the scarcity of these tumor types, randomized trials are rarely performed, and treatment is extrapolated from case series, tumor-agnostic trials, or cancers with similar histology.

Assessment and ascertainment in psychiatric molecular genetics: challenges and opportunities for cross-disorder research.

Psychiatric disorders are highly comorbid, heritable, and genetically correlated [1-4]. The primary objective of cross-disorder psychiatric genetics research is to identify and characterize both the shared genetic factors that contribute to convergent disease etiologies and the unique genetic factors that distinguish between disorders [4, 5]. This information can illuminate the biological mechanisms underlying comorbid presentations of psychopathology, improve nosology and prediction of illness risk and trajectories, and aid the development of more effective and targeted interventions.

Ecological and anthropogenic effects on the genomic diversity of lemurs in Madagascar.

Ecological variation and anthropogenic landscape modification have had key roles in the diversification and extinction of mammals in Madagascar. Lemurs represent a radiation with more than 100 species, constituting roughly one-fifth of the primate order. Almost all species of lemurs are threatened with extinction, but little is known about their genetic diversity and demographic history.

Association of PD-L1 positivity with Epstein Barr virus infection and microsatellite instability in gastric carcinomas with lymphoid stroma.

Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) is characterized by dense intra-and peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration and a high rate of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection, suggesting being a promising candidate for immunotherapy. We investigated correlations between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathologic factors, including EBV positivity and microsatellite instability (MSI) status in GCLSs. The study included resected 214 GCLSs and 300 gastric adenocarcinomas (GACs) for control.

Inhibition of pterygium cell fibrosis by the Rho kinase inhibitor.

Pterygium is an ocular disease in which the conjunctival tissue invades the cornea. When the pterygium tissue reaches the pupillary region, the visual function of the patient is affected. Currently, surgical removal is the only effective treatment.

Heart rate variability parameters indicate altered autonomic tone in subjects with COVID-19.

COVID-19 is associated with long-term cardiovascular complications. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a measure of sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) control, has been shown to predict COVID-19 outcomes and correlate with disease progression but a comprehensive analysis that includes demographic influences has been lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the balance between SNS, PNS and heart rhythm regulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and compare it with similar measurements in healthy volunteers and individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), while also investigating the effects of age, Body Mass Index (BMI), gender and race.

Colocalization of Ellipsoid Zone Disruption With Capillary Nonperfusion in Different Retinal Vascular Layers and Choriocapillaris on En Face OCT of Diabetic Patients.

Purpose: To assess the colocalization of ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption with nonperfusion in choriocapillaris (CC), retinal superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and deep capillary plexus (DCP) in diabetic patients using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA).

Methods: Macular OCT and OCTA scans (3 × 3 mm) of 41 patients with diabetic retinopathy were obtained using an RTVue XR Avanti instrument. After correcting the shadow artifacts, EZ integrity was assessed in the en face OCT slab using the Gaussian mixture model clustering method compared with the corresponding EZ en face OCT of 11 age-matched normal patients.

Improving colonoscopy quality in the national VA healthcare system.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention is a Veterans Affairs (VA) priority. Colonoscopy quality, especially adenoma detection rate (ADR), is critical for effective screening. Our research indicates considerable variation in ADR among VA providers.

Mechanism of enhancing chemotherapy efficacy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with paricalcitol and hydroxychloroquine.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a minimal (<15%) 5-year existence, in part due to resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Previous research reveals the impact of paricalcitol (P) and hydroxychloroquine (H) on altering the lysosomal fusion, decreasing stromal burden, and triggering PDAC to chemotherapies. This investigation aims to elucidate the molecular properties of the H and P combination and their potential in sensitizing PDAC to gemcitabine (G).

Comparing adolescent glomerular disease clinical outcomes to the clinical outcomes in childhood, young adult, and adult-onset glomerular disease in the CureGN database.

Background: There is a lack of evidence to suggest that outcomes of adolescent and adult-onset glomerular disease differ. Still, most glomerular disease trials include adults but exclude adolescents.

Methods: We designed a retrospective study using the CureGN database to compare individuals with adolescent-onset glomerular disease relative to individuals with older and younger age at onset.