Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Three-Column Lumbar Osteotomies with and without Interbody Cages for Adult Spinal Deformity.

Background Context: Correcting sagittal malalignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD) is a challenging task, often requiring complex surgical interventions like pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs). Different types of three-column osteotomies (3COs), including Schwab 3, Schwab 4, Schwab 4 with interbody cages, and the "sandwich" technique, aim to optimize alignment and fusion outcomes. The role of interbody cages in enhancing fusion and segmental correction remains unclear.

CLIPA protein pairs function as cofactors for prophenoloxidase activation in Anopheles gambiae.

Insect prophenoloxidases (proPO) are activated during immune responses by a proPO activating protease (PAP) in the presence of a high molecular weight cofactor assembled from serine protease homologs (SPH) that lack proteolytic activity. PAPs and the SPHs have a similar architecture, with an amino-terminal clip domain and a carboxyl-terminal protease domain. The SPHs belong to CLIPA subfamily of SP-related proteins.

Behavioral health comorbidities in hospital outcomes post-lower extremity amputation in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Peripheral artery disease leading to chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents a significant concern for up to 11.0 % of patients with diabetes, often culminating in amputation of the affected limb. This retrospective cohort study explores frequency of comorbid behavioral health conditions (CBHCs) in patients with diabetes and hospital stay characteristics related to post-lower extremity amputation (LEA).

A Mutant Complement Factor H (W1183R) Enhances Proteolytic Cleavage of von Willebrand Factor by ADAMTS13 Under Shear.

Background: A loss-of-functional mutation (W1183R) in human complement factor H (CFH) is associated with complement-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome; mice carrying a similar mutation (W1206R) in CFH also develop thrombotic microangiopathy but its plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimer sizes were dramatically reduced. The mechanism underlying such a dramatic change in plasma VWF multimer distribution in these mice is not fully understood.

Objective And Methods: To determine the VWF and CFH interaction and how CFH proteins affect VWF multimer distribution, we employed recombinant protein expression, purification, and various biochemical and biophysical tools.

Formation and crystalline structure of spherulites from pea and high amylose maize starches.

Starch spherulite is a unique form of resistant starch characterized by a spherical structure with crystalline lamellae that are radially oriented and may find applications in delivery of nutrients and bioactives to the lower gastrointestinal tract. Formation of starch spherulites generally requires heating to a high temperature followed by quenching and long crystallization time. The objectives of this study were to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing spherulite formation from pea starch (PS) and high-amylose maize starch (HAMS) and investigate if spherulites could be formed by a slow cooling rate and determine the crystalline structure and morphology of the spherulites formed.

State of the Art in Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has become an important therapeutic target for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Over the past 2 decades, several advancements in LAAO devices (percutaneous and surgical) have been made for stroke prevention and arrhythmia therapy. However, there are several unanswered questions regarding optimal patient selection, the preferred LAAO approach and device, the management of periprocedural and postprocedural complications, including pericardial effusion, device-related thrombus, and device leaks.

Transcatheter Left Ventricular Reconstruction in Heart Failure Patients With Prior Anterior Myocardial Infarction: The Prospective ALIVE Trial.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) dilatation and extensive scar portend a poor prognosis in heart failure (HF). The Revivent TC system (BioVentrix Inc) is used either during a hybrid transcatheter-surgical or a surgical-only procedure to exclude transmural scar and reduce LV dimensions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of the Revivent TC® anchor system in patients with HF.

Examining Health and Social Support Among University Housekeepers: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study.

This pilot, exploratory project examined the relationship among the health, work, and social support of university housekeepers. The first objective was to examine the influence of social support on work-related outcomes among university housekeepers. The secondary objective was to examine the influence of social support on physical and psychological health among housekeepers.

The Role of Exosomes in Medical Dermatology: Literature Review and Update.

Background: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles, composed of a phospholipid bilayer, that are primarily derived from stem cells. The contents of exosomes can be incorporated into the tissue in which they are introduced, which presents a unique therapeutic option.

Aims: Exosomes have been investigated as a treatment for a number of medical ailments, but the literature supporting these indications is inconclusive.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer: Understanding How Endoscopic Ultrasound Has Revolutionized Management of Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsy has become the standard diagnostic modality per the guidelines. The use of EUS has been growing for providing various treatments in patients with pancreatic cancers: biliary and gallbladder drainage for those with malignant biliary obstruction, gastroenterostomy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction, celiac plexus/ganglia neurolysis for pain control, radiofrequency ablation, placement of fiducial markers, and injection of local chemotherapeutic agents.

Collegiate Marching Band Artists Self-Report Previous Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is commonly observed in endurance athletes, where prolonged physical exertion combined with being unaware of personal hydration needs can lead to excessive water consumption or inadequate sodium intake. Marching band (MB) is an emerging setting for sports medicine professionals. However, there is little research on non-musculoskeletal illnesses among these performing artists.

Seasonal changes of mélange thickness coincide with Greenland calving dynamics.

Iceberg calving is a major contributor to Greenland's ice mass loss. Ice mélange, tightly packed sea ice and icebergs, has been hypothesized to buttress the calving fronts. However, quantifying the mélange buttressing force from field observations remains a challenge.

Efficacy of Amniotic Suspension Allografts in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.

Knee osteoarthritis significantly impacts mobility and quality of life. This condition is a leading cause of disability in aging populations, with total knee replacement commonly sought in advanced cases. Traditional nonoperative management strategies, including anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic acid, often provide limited relief, especially in severe cases.

Advanced therapies in US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: a retrospective, active-comparator, new-user, cohort study.

Background: Uncertainty exists regarding patient outcomes when using TNF inhibitors versus other biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). We compared survival and respiratory hospitalisation outcomes following initiation of TNF-inhibitor or non-TNF inhibitor biological or targeted synthetic DMARDs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD.

Methods: We did a retrospective, active-comparator, new-user, observational cohort study with propensity score matching following the target trial emulation framework using US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic and administrative health records.

Replication-competent recombinant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus expressing antiviral cytokine interferon-ω5 as a modified live virus vaccine.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), caused by the highly variable PRRS virus (PRRSV), presents a significant challenge to the swine industry due to its pathogenic and economic burden. The virus evades host immune responses, particularly interferon (IFN) signaling, through various viral mechanisms. Traditional vaccines have shown variable efficacy in the field, prompting the exploration of novel vaccination strategies.

Fuel accumulation shapes post-fire fuel decomposition through soil heating effects on plants, fungi, and soil chemistry.

Forty percent of terrestrial ecosystems require recurrent fires driven by feedbacks between fire and plant fuels. The accumulation of fine fuels in these ecosystems play a key role in fire intensity, which alters soil nutrients and shapes soil microbial and plant community responses to fire. Changes to post-fire plant fuel production are well known to feed back to future fires, but post-fire decomposition of new fuels is poorly understood.

Climate change could amplify weak synchrony in large marine ecosystems.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of large-scale, extreme environmental events and flattening environmental gradients. Whether such changes will cause spatially synchronous, large-scale population declines depends on mechanisms that limit metapopulation synchrony, thereby promoting rescue effects and stability. Using long-term data and empirical dynamic models, we quantified spatial heterogeneity in density dependence, spatial heterogeneity in environmental responses, and environmental gradients to assess their role in inhibiting synchrony across 36 marine fish and invertebrate species.

How and why funders support engaged research.

Research that better aligns policy, practice, and research communities is gaining momentum around the world. This includes engaged research strategies that bring partners, and their diverse perspectives and kinds of knowledge, together to shape research agendas with on-the-ground-needs and to create dynamic problem-solving processes. These approaches aim to generate more equitable and effective solutions to societal challenges.

Redesigning protonic ceramic electrochemical cells to lower the operating temperature.

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) can operate at intermediate temperatures (450° to 600°C) for power generation and hydrogen production. However, the operating temperature is still too high to revolutionize ceramic electrochemical cell technology. Lowering the operating temperature to <450°C will enable a wider material choice and reduce system costs.

Medicaid Unwinding Experiences in Dual-Eligible Older Adults.

Importance: Dual-eligible older adults rely on Medicaid to pay for Medicare premiums and cost sharing in addition to supplemental services including dental and long-term care. However, the unique experiences of dual-eligible older adults with Medicaid unwinding remain unknown.

Objective: To assess the awareness and experiences of dual-eligible older adults with Medicaid redetermination.

Optimizing Variables for Contingency Management Among Infant Caregivers Using a Simulated Purchase Task.

Behavioral economics offers a framework for understanding choice making around public health concerns such as drug use and distracted driving. Such a framework could be beneficial to understanding caregiver choices related to arranging an infant sleep environment. Nonadherence to infant sleep safety guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics increases the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

The Impact of Modifier-22 on Reimbursement Following Acetabular Fracture Fixation.

Objectives: The 22-modifier in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system indicates increased surgical procedure complexity, aiming to secure greater reimbursement for surgeons. This study investigated the 22-modifier on reimbursement amounts after acetabular fracture fixation.

Methods: Design: Retrospective cohort study.

The Complete Blood Count Sepsis Index Using Monocyte Distribution Width for Early Detection of Sepsis in Patients Without Obvious Signs.

Objectives: Exploiting the complete blood count (CBC) with differential (CBC-diff) for early sepsis detection has practical value for emergency department (ED) care, especially for those without obvious presentations. The objective of this study was to develop the CBC Sepsis Index (CBC-SI) that incorporates monocyte distribution width (MDW) to enhance rapid sepsis screening.

Design: A retrospective observational study.

Exploring Inclusion by Creating Inclusion: A World Café Among Nurse Scientists.

Background: The concept of inclusion within diversity, equity, and inclusion has broad meanings and implications and has not been explored in nursing through a World Café.

Purpose: To describe the process and experiences of 9 nurse scientists who hosted a World Café focused on inclusion, to share participants' insights, and to offer considerations to advance inclusion in nursing.

Approach: We hosted and encouraged active participation in a World Café that focused on 7 inclusion topics in nursing during the 2024 Midwestern Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference.