Missing Regulation Between Genetic Association and Transcriptional Abundance for Hypercholesterolemia Genes.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it plays a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have successfully identified hundreds of genetic variants associated with LDL-C. Most of these risk loci fall in non-coding regions of the genome, and it is unclear how these non-coding variants affect circulating lipid levels.

Exploring the Gating Mechanism of the Human Copper Transporter, hCtr1, Using EPR Spectroscopy.

Ctr1 is a membrane-spanning homotrimer that facilitates copper uptake in eukaryotic cells with high affinity. While structural details of the transmembrane domain of human Ctr1 have been elucidated using X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, the transfer mechanisms of copper and the conformational changes that control the gating mechanism remain poorly understood. The role of the extracellular N-terminal domains is particularly unclear due to the absence of a high-resolution structure of the full-length hCtr1 protein and limited biochemical and biophysical characterization of the transporter in solution and in cell.

VDAC1: A Key Player in the Mitochondrial Landscape of Neurodegeneration.

Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 (VDAC1) is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein that plays a crucial role in regulating cellular energy metabolism and apoptosis by mediating the exchange of ions and metabolites between mitochondria and the cytosol. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are central features of neurodegenerative diseases. The pivotal functions of VDAC1 in controlling mitochondrial membrane permeability, regulating calcium balance, and facilitating programmed cell death pathways, position it as a key determinant in the delicate balance between neuronal viability and degeneration.

The Impact of Radiotherapy on the Primary Tumor in Patients with Metastatic High-Volume Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Retrospective studies suggest that local radiotherapy on the prostate improves overall survival in the metastatic setting, but its benefit in patients with high-burden metastatic disease is still uncertain. We conducted a retrospective study of 100 high-metastatic-burden prostate cancer patients at Hadassah Ein Karem Medical Center from 2004 to 2021. Patients receiving local RT alongside standard treatment were compared to those receiving standard treatment alone.

Predictive Factors for the Discontinuation of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy: Enhancing Patient Selection to Improve Oncological Outcomes-A Single-Center Experience.

: Since 2011, Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) has emerged as a promising treatment option for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM) who are not eligible for cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Repeated minimal-invasive treatment is one of the key features and the current empirical standard treatment (ST) consists of at least three administrations over about three months. However, many patients are unable to complete the full course, limiting the potential benefits of PIPAC.

A Retrospective, Single-Center Study Comparing Neoadjuvant ACTHP vs. DCbHP in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer Patients.

Background: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy is the preferred treatment approach for stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). Real-life data comparing regimens with or without anthracyclines combined with two HER2 drugs is lacking. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of two commonly used regimens.

Kinetics and Kinematics of Shape Tracing in Children with Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (pDCD).

Background: Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) exhibit visual-motor deficits affecting handwriting. Shape tracing, a key prerequisite for handwriting, supports motor and cognitive development but remains underexplored in research, particularly in objectively studying its role in children with DCD.

Objectives: To compare the kinetics (pressure applied to the writing surface) and kinematics (spatial and temporal aspects) of shape tracing in children with pDCD to those of typically developing (TD) peers utilizing a digitized tablet.

Child Maltreatment and Medical Traumatic Stress-A Double-Edged Sword.

Background/objectives: Medical procedures can be a traumatic event for both children and their parents. Children who have experienced maltreatment or early traumatic experiences are at a higher risk for various emotional, behavioral, and health issues, including declining mental health. This may include experiencing heightened distress following medical procedures.

The Effect of Prebiotics, Alone or as Part of Synbiotics, on Cardiometabolic Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

/: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of prebiotics, alone or as part of synbiotics, on cardiometabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women. : Databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were searched for relevant randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) until 12 December 2024. Changes in mean ± standard deviations were extracted and combined using a random-effects model.

Between Consecutive Fractures: Time and Sex as Dominant Factors in Type and Severity Concordance of Contralateral Hip Injuries.

: Hip fractures present a global public health concern, with a forecasted rise in incidence and having associated increased mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate whether the AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification of a first hip fracture can predict the location and severity of a subsequent contralateral fracture. : We retrospectively evaluated patients with non-simultaneous bilateral hip fractures between January 2000 and February 2021 and analyzed the type and severity of each fracture using the AO/OTA classification system, interval between fractures (TI), and patients' characteristics, including sex, age at time of each fracture, and radiographic measurements of hip morphology.

The Effects of the Mamanet Cachibol League Intervention Program on Perceived Health Status, Mental Health, and Healthy Lifestyle Among Arab Women.

The Israeli Mamanet Cachibol League (MCL) is a community-oriented athletic program serving mothers through non-competitive recreational sports participation. This study aimed to assess the effects of the MCL on perceived health status, mental health (happiness, depression, social capital), and healthy lifestyle behaviors (physical activity and nutrition). This is an experimental study with a sample of 231 women (174 in the experimental group and 57 in the control).

Transformative Insights into Community-Acquired Pressure Injuries Among the Elderly: A Big Data Analysis.

Purpose: To investigate community-acquired pressure injuries (CAPIs) in older people by utilizing big data.

Design: Retrospective data curation and analysis of inpatient data from two general medical centers between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018.

Methods: Nursing assessments from 44,449 electronic medical records of patients admitted to internal medicine departments were retrieved, organized, coded by data engineers, and analyzed by data scientists.

Femoral Head Pathology in Subcapital Hip Fractures: Clinical Value and Cost-Effectiveness in a 230-Patient Case Series.

Osteoporotic fractures, particularly subcapital hip fractures (SCF), pose a significant healthcare and economic burden. The routine pathological examination of resected femoral heads in such cases is common practice, aimed at identifying malignancies that may have contributed to bone fragility. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of routine femoral head pathology in patients undergoing surgical treatment for SCF.

Fetal Safety in MRI During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review.

As medical imaging continues to expand, concerns about the potential risks of ionizing radiation to the developing fetus have led to a preference for non-radiation-based alternatives such as ultrasonography and fetal MRI. This review examines the current evidence on the safety of MRI during pregnancy, with a focus on 3 T MRI and contrast agents, aiming to provide a comprehensive synthesis that informs clinical decision-making, ensures fetal safety and supports the safe use of all available modalities that could impact management. We conducted a comprehensive review of studies from 2000 to 2024 on MRI safety during pregnancy, focusing on 3 T MRI and gadolinium use.

Individual well-being and national determinants of screening mammography among women over fifty.

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, causing over 400,000 cases of premature death annually. Timely screening mammography (SM) could have prevented most death. Although SM utilization varies across countries, few studies have examined country-level factors, and fewer explored their interaction with individual-level factors.

Infertility stigma and openness with others are related to depressive symptoms and meaning in life in men and women diagnosed with infertility.

Background: Stigma is the experience of feeling different from socially accepted norms which can lead to personal devaluation or fear of disapproval from others. For men and women experiencing infertility, stigma has been associated with psychological distress, feelings of otherness in relation to people with children, and selective disclosure with others about their infertility challenges. However, there are few studies which examine how infertility stigma and being open with others are related to depressive symptoms and meaning in life for men and women diagnosed with infertility.

Referral for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support in Adult Primary Care: An Integrative Review.

Aims: The purpose of this integrative review was to identify effective diabetes self-management education and support for increasing adult primary care referrals, participation rates and improving health outcomes for persons with diabetes.

Design: Integrative review.

Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL was performed by applying the PRISMA guidelines.

Genome-wide association analysis of composite sleep health scores in 413,904 individuals.

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of several individual sleep traits have identified hundreds of genetic loci, suggesting diverse mechanisms. Moreover, sleep traits are moderately correlated, so together may provide a more complete picture of sleep health, while illuminating distinct domains. Here we construct novel sleep health scores (SHSs) incorporating five core self-report measures: sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, chronotype, snoring, and daytime sleepiness, using additive (SHS-ADD) and five principal components-based (SHS-PCs) approaches.

The differences in injury patterns and outcomes of thoracic trauma between rural and urban level two trauma centers in a single country.

Purpose: Equal level trauma centers in the same country might have significant differences regarding their demographics and types of trauma. Understanding geographic variations in injury patterns are essential for optimal care. Here we describe the differences in injury patterns and associated outcomes of thoracic trauma patients between rural and urban level-II trauma centers in a single country.

Impact of obstructive jaundice on outcomes in acute biliary pancreatitis: a retrospective study.

Objective: To examine the effects of obstructive jaundice on the outcomes of patients with acute biliary pancreatitis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 332 cases of acute biliary pancreatitis admitted to Rambam Health Care Campus, Israel, from January 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2021. Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of obstructive jaundice.

Human subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte atlases uncover classical and nonclassical adipocytes and depot-specific patterns.

Human adipose depots are functionally distinct. Yet, recent single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analyses largely uncovered overlapping or similar cell-type landscapes. We hypothesized that adipocyte subtypes, differentiation trajectories and/or intercellular communication patterns could illuminate this depot similarity-difference gap.

Proliferative and viability effects of two cyanophages on freshwater bloom-forming species Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii vary between strains.

Viruses that infect cyanobacteria are an integral part of aquatic food webs, influencing nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. However, the significance of virus host range, replication efficiency, and host compatibility on cyanobacterial dynamics, growth, and toxicity remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of cyanophage additions on the dynamics and activity of optimal, sub-optimal, and non-permissive cyanobacterial hosts in cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii.

Using artificial intelligence to optimize anti-seizure treatment and EEG-guided decisions in severe brain injury.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is invaluable in the management of acute neurological emergencies. Characteristic EEG changes have been identified in diverse neurologic conditions including stroke, trauma, and anoxia, and the increased utilization of continuous EEG (cEEG) has identified potentially harmful activity even in patients without overt clinical signs or neurologic diagnoses. Manual annotation by expert neurophysiologists is a major resource limitation in investigating the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these EEG patterns and in expanding EEG use to a broader set of patients who are likely to benefit.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with nonrheumatic streptococcal pharyngitis associated myocarditis.

Background: Reports of nonrheumatic streptococcal pharyngitis associated myocarditis (SPAM) are rare, and its incidence, pathophysiology, and clinical features remain unclear. We evaluated the clinical course and outcome of patients diagnosed with nonrheumatic SPAM, with a particular focus on differentiating it from other etiologies of myocarditis.

Methods: Seventy-nine consecutive individuals (age 32±9 years, 71 men) with clinically diagnosed SPAM were evaluated.