Amputation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Meta-Analysis and Validation of a Histopathology Scoring System.

Objective: Pathology can provide crucial insights into the etiology of disease. The goal of this review is to evaluate the rigor of histopathology reports of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Methods: A systematic search of multiple databases identified papers that described amputation for CRPS with pathology findings.

Self-selected meal composition alters the relationship between same-day caloric intake and appetite scores in humans during a long-term ad-libitum feeding study.

Purpose: To determine the effect of an off-protocol meal during a long-term ad libitum feeding study on changes in total caloric consumption and ratings of hunger and satiety.

Methods: During the ad libitum portion of a 16 weeks research high-protein feeding study, 19 participants were allowed to eat up to one self-selected meal (SSM) a week instead of an intervention diet meal. The SSM was assessed for total caloric and macronutrient composition and compared to the intervention diet for 3 days before and after the SSM day.

Exploratory study of the underutilization of CTSA module services.

Background/objective: The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program aims to enhance the quality, efficiency, and impact of translation from discovery to interventions that improve human health. CTSA program hubs at medical research institutions across the United States develop and test innovative tools, methods, and processes, offering core resources and training for the clinical and translational research (CTR) workforce. Hubs have developed services across different domains, such as informatics and pilot studies, to provide expertise and staffing for local research teams.

New strategies to improve clinical outcomes for diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the most common cause of kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease worldwide, will develop in almost half of all people with type 2 diabetes. With the incidence of type 2 diabetes continuing to increase, early detection and management of DKD is of great clinical importance.

Main Body: This review provides a comprehensive clinical update for DKD in people with type 2 diabetes, with a special focus on new treatment modalities.

First Series Using Ultrasonic Propulsion and Burst Wave Lithotripsy to Treat Ureteral Stones.

Purpose: Our goal was to test transcutaneous focused ultrasound in the form of ultrasonic propulsion and burst wave lithotripsy to reposition ureteral stones and facilitate passage in awake subjects.

Materials And Methods: Adult subjects with a diagnosed proximal or distal ureteral stone were prospectively recruited. Ultrasonic propulsion alone or with burst wave lithotripsy was administered by a handheld transducer to awake, unanesthetized subjects.

Detectability of Small Low-Attenuation Lesions With Deep Learning CT Image Reconstruction: A 24-Reader Phantom Study.

Iterative reconstruction (IR) techniques are susceptible to contrast-dependent spatial resolution, limiting overall radiation dose reduction potential. Deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) may mitigate this limitation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate low-contrast detectability performance and radiation-saving potential of a DLIR algorithm in comparison with filtered back projection (FBP) and IR using a human multireader noninferiority study design and task-based observer modeling.

Analysis of Vaccine Reactions After COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Among Pregnant and Lactating Individuals.

Importance: COVID-19 vaccine boosters or third doses are recommended for adolescents and adults who completed their initial COVID-19 vaccine course more than 5 months prior. Minimal data are available on COVID-19 vaccine booster or third dose reactogenicity among pregnant and lactating individuals.

Objective: To describe the reactions to the booster or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine experiences among pregnant and lactating individuals.

At-home blood collection and stabilization in high temperature climates using RNA.

Expanding whole blood sample collection for transcriptome analysis beyond traditional phlebotomy clinics will open new frontiers for remote immune research and telemedicine. Determining the stability of RNA in blood samples exposed to high ambient temperatures (>30°C) is necessary for deploying home-sampling in settings with elevated temperatures (e.g.

CandyCollect: at-home saliva sampling for capture of respiratory pathogens.

is a major human-specific bacterial pathogen and a common cause of a wide range of symptoms from mild infection such as pharyngitis (commonly called strep throat) to life-threatening invasive infection and post-infectious sequelae. Traditional methods for diagnosis include collecting a sample using a pharyngeal swab, which can cause discomfort and even discourage adults and children from seeking proper testing and treatment in the clinic. Saliva samples are an alternative to pharyngeal swabs.

Determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Patterns Among Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are vulnerable to cervical dysplasia due to the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The objective of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence of cervical cancer screening according to the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) SLE-specific cervical cancer screening guidelines. We also aimed to identify SLE-specific determinants associated with ASCCP adherence.

Removal of Small, Asymptomatic Kidney Stones and Incidence of Relapse.

Background: The benefits of removing small (≤6 mm), asymptomatic kidney stones endoscopically is unknown. Current guidelines leave such decisions to the urologist and the patient. A prospective study involving older, nonendoscopic technology and some retrospective studies favor observation.

Postoperative respiratory depression in patients on sublingual buprenorphine: a retrospective cohort study for comparison between postoperative continuation and discontinuation of buprenorphine.

Background: We tested the hypothesis that patients who continued buprenorphine postoperatively experience postoperative respiratory depression less frequently than those who discontinued buprenorphine.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who were on buprenorphine preoperatively. The primary outcome was postoperative respiratory depression as defined by respiratory rate < 10/minute, oxygen saturation (SpO) < 90%, or requirement of naloxone for 48 h postoperatively.

A pragmatic randomized trial of home-based testing for COVID-19 in rural Native American and Latino communities: Protocol for the "Protecting our Communities" study.

Background: Home-based testing for COVID-19 has potential to reduce existing health care disparities among underserved populations in the United States. However, implementation of home-based tests in these communities may face significant barriers. This study evaluates the acceptability, feasibility, and success of home-based testing and the potential added benefit of active support from trusted community health workers for Native Americans and Hispanic/Latino adults living in rural Montana and Washington states.

Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets for diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease has a high global disease burden and substantially increases the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events. Despite treatment, there is substantial residual risk of disease progression with existing therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the molecular mechanisms driving diabetic kidney disease to help identify new therapies that slow progression and reduce associated risks.

Dissemination and implementation science resources, training, and scientific activities provided through CTSA programs nationally: Opportunities to advance D&I research and training capacity.

Introduction: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program hubs are well-positioned to advance dissemination and implementation (D&I) research and training capacity nationally, though little is known about what D&I research support and services CTSAs provide. To address this gap, the CTSA Dissemination, Implementation, and Knowledge Transfer Working Group conducted an environmental scan of CTSAs (2017-2018).

Methods: Of 67 CTSA institutions, we contacted 43 that previously reported delivering D&I research services.

Prevalence of SGLT2i and GLP1RA use among US adults with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: To determine national prevalence of sodium-glucose contransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1RA) use among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: We studied adults with T2DM and eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m who participated in the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), focusing on the 2017-2020 examination cycle, a key time period prior to widespread dissemination of pivotal trial results and corresponding clinical practice guidelines.

Overcoming Barriers to Implementing New Therapies for Diabetic Kidney Disease: Lessons Learned.

As a result of the growing number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has proven to be one of the fastest growing health care challenges globally. Early detection and initiation of appropriate interventions to slow the progression of DKD are impeded by low awareness of the health consequences of DKD, high complexity of care that includes the need for lifestyle modifications, difficulties with adhering to increasingly complicated medication regimens, and low acceptance and application of guideline-directed management. After 2 decades of status quo in the care of patients with DKD, recently approved glucose-lowering agents are promising to transform care by demonstrating slowed DKD disease progression and improved survival.

Nephron overload as a therapeutic target to maximize kidney lifespan.

Kidney lifespan is a patient-oriented outcome that provides much needed context for understanding chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nephron endowment, age-associated decline in nephron number, kidney injury history and the intrinsic capacity of nephrons to adapt to haemodynamic and metabolic overload vary widely within the population. Defining percentiles of kidney function might therefore help to predict individual kidney lifespan and distinguish healthy ageing from progressive forms of CKD.

Novel approaches to hypoglycemia and burnt-out diabetes in chronic kidney disease.

Purpose Of Review: Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that confers faster kidney disease progression, higher mortality, and various metabolic derangements including hypoglycemia.

Recent Findings: Even in the absence of diabetes mellitus, growing research demonstrates that CKD patients are at heightened risk for hypoglycemia via multiple pathways. In CKD patients transitioning to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), spontaneous resolution of hyperglycemia and frequent hypoglycemia resulting in reduction and/or cessation of glucose-lowering medications are frequently observed in a phenomenon described as 'burnt-out diabetes'.

A Continuously Benchmarked and Crowdsourced Challenge for Rapid Development and Evaluation of Models to Predict COVID-19 Diagnosis and Hospitalization.

Importance: Machine learning could be used to predict the likelihood of diagnosis and severity of illness. Lack of COVID-19 patient data has hindered the data science community in developing models to aid in the response to the pandemic.

Objectives: To describe the rapid development and evaluation of clinical algorithms to predict COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization using patient data by citizen scientists, provide an unbiased assessment of model performance, and benchmark model performance on subgroups.

RNA: A Self-Sampling Kit for the Collection of Peripheral Blood and Stabilization of RNA.

Gene expression analysis (, targeted gene panels and transcriptomics) from whole blood can elucidate mechanisms of the immune function and aid in the discovery of biomarkers. Conventional venipuncture offers only a small snapshot of our broad immune landscape as immune responses may occur outside of the time and location parameters available for conventional venipuncture. A self-operated method that enables flexible sampling of liquid whole blood coupled with immediate stabilization of cellular RNA is instrumental in facilitating capture and preservation of acute or transient immune fluxes.

Short-term Reactions Among Pregnant and Lactating Individuals in the First Wave of the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.

This cohort study investigates short-term reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant and lactating individuals vs individuals neither pregnant nor lactating but planning pregnancy.