Improving Glycemic Control via Heat Therapy in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's Disease (FIGHT-AD): a pilot study.

Impaired glycemic control increases the risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Heat therapy (HT), via hot water immersion (HWI), has shown promise in improving shared mechanisms implicated in both T2D and AD, like blood glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation. The potential for HT to improve brain health in individuals at risk for AD has not been examined.

The immunogenetic basis of severe herpes simplex infections in neonates and children: a review.

Human herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a double stranded DNA virus with two distinct types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. The global burden of HSV is high with an estimated 2/3 of the adult population seropositive for at least one of these types of HSV. HSV rarely causes life-threatening disease in immunocompetent children and adults.

Predicting the risk of a high proportion of three/multiple pronuclei (3PN/MPN) zygotes in individual IVF cycles using comparative machine learning algorithms.

Background: The majority of machine learning applications in assisted reproduction have been focused on predicting the likelihood of pregnancy. In the present study, we aim to investigate which machine learning models are most effective in predicting the occurrence of a high proportion (>30 %) of 3PN/MPN zygotes in individual IVF cycles.

Methods: Eight machine learning algorithms were trained and compared, including the AdaBoost and Gaussian NB.

Impact of Sarcoidosis in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement: Insight from Nationwide Readmission Database 2016-2019.

It is not well-known if valve replacement outcomes differ in patients with sarcoidosis, especially in aortic valve intervention where the pressure gradients are physiologically high. In this retrospective study, we included all patients who underwent surgical/transcatheter aortic valve replacement from the National Readmission Database (2016-2019) and then divided them into those with and without sarcoidosis. Logistic and cox proportional hazard regression models were used.

Microplastic migration and transformation pathways and exposure health risks.

Plastics play a crucial role in modern life, but improper use and disposal have resulted in microplastics becoming widespread in the environment, raising significant concerns about both the environment and human health. Extensive research has explored the transformation mechanisms, bioaccumulation, ecological impacts, and health risks associated with microplastics. The present review first analyzes the migration, transformation, and degradation pathways of microplastics on a global scale, and then synthesizes current knowledge on the types, sources, and migration pathways of microplastics in soil, atmosphere, and aquatic environments, emphasizing transformation mechanisms like photo-aging and microbial degradation, and detailing their ecological and human health impacts.

Acute Rhinosinusitis: Rapid Evidence Review.

Acute rhinosinusitis causes more than 30 million patients to seek health care per year in the United States. Respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and sinusitis, account for 75% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in primary care. Sinusitis is a clinical diagnosis; the challenge lies in distinguishing between the symptoms of bacterial and viral sinusitis.

Gender disparities in industry payments to neurosurgeons: a comprehensive analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments data (2016-2022).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the extent of gender disparities in financial interactions between neurosurgeons and the medical device industry, examining the differences in the number, amount, and types of payments made to male and female neurosurgeons.

Methods: Utilizing data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments database covering 2016-2022, the authors conducted a comprehensive analysis of industry payments to neurosurgeons. This methodology included univariate and multivariate analyses to examine the disparities in payments, with a focus on identifying significant differences in compensation across genders.

Embedding Universal Language Promotion in Pediatric Primary Care to Optimize Early Child Development and Reduce Long-Term Health Disparities.

Objective: To report on the feasibility and outcomes of universal language promotion intervention (Talk With Me Baby [TWMB]) embedded within routine well-child care for children from birth to 3-years old.

Methods: Across 2 primary care clinics, 29 health care team members participated in a 12-month trial to deliver TWMB within well-child care visits. Feasibility was based on clinician feedback during the trial, clinician knowledge assessments, and clinic data.

The Effect of Sensory Reweighting on Postural Control and Cortical Activity in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To investigate the effects of sensory reweighting on postural control and cortical activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to age-matched controls using a virtual reality sensory organization test (VR-SOT).

Design: Cross-sectional pilot study.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Distinct molecular and clinical features of specific variants of KRAS codon 12 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE Oncogenic mutations in KRAS have been identified in > 85% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases. G12D, G12V, and G12R are the most frequent variants. Using large clinical and genomic databases, this study characterizes prognostic and molecular differences between KRAS variants, focusing on KRAS G12D and G12R.

Models for Studying Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Progression.

An estimated 55,720 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed in 2023 in the USA alone because of the increased use of screening mammography. The treatment goal in DCIS is early detection and treatment with the hope of preventing progression into invasive disease. Previous studies show progression into invasive cancer as well as reduction in mortality from treatment is not as high as previously thought.

The emergence of bispecific T-cell engagers in the treatment of follicular and large B-cell lymphomas.

The rapid emergence of CD20-targeting T-cell engagers in follicular lymphoma and large B-cell lymphoma has further expanded the treatment options for patients with relapsed or refractory disease. Herein, we review and discuss the standard-of-care products and indications for mosunetuzumab, epcoritamab, and glofitamab. We provide a detailed overview of the registrational clinical trials, as well as a review of ongoing trials and likely future indications.

Bile acid sequestrant inhibits gluconeogenesis via inducing hepatic cysteine dioxygenase type 1 to reduce cysteine availability.

Bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine (ChTM) are gut-restricted bile acid binding resins that block intestine bile acid absorption and attenuate hepatic bile acid signaling. Bile acid sequestrants induce hepatic bile acid synthesis to promote cholesterol catabolism and are cholesterol lowering drugs. Bile acid sequestrants also reduce blood glucose in clinical trials and are approved drugs for treating hyperglycemia in type-2 diabetes.

Nationwide trends and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for stable ischemic heart disease in end-stage kidney disease: a longitudinal study.

Background: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at high risk for coronary artery disease. We investigate the trends and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) in patients with ESKD.

Methods: We utilized the United States Renal Data System [2010-2018] to include adult patients with ESKD on dialysis for at least 3 months who underwent PCI for SIHD.

The impact of highly effective modulator therapy on sinusitis and dysosmia in young children with cystic fibrosis: a prospective study protocol.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and olfactory dysfunction (OD) are prevalent disease complications in people with cystic fibrosis. These understudied comorbidities significantly impact quality of life. The impact of highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) in young children with cystic fibrosis (YCwCF) on these disease complications is unknown.

Successful Use of a Midline Catheter for Leukapheresis in Patients Undergoing Collection for Immune Effector Cell Therapy, Donor Lymphocyte Infusion, and Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Collection.

Apheresis is essential to conducting hematopoietic cell transplantation and genetically engineered cellular therapy procedures. Many patients and donors require central venous catheter (CVC) access for apheresis due to lack of adequate peripheral venous access. CVC placement has risks of associated complications and requires additional institutional resources and expertise.

Cognitive impairment caused by compromised hepatic ketogenesis is prevented by endurance exercise.

Extensive research has demonstrated endurance exercise to be neuroprotective. Whether these neuroprotective benefits are mediated, in part, by hepatic ketone production remains unclear. To investigate the role of hepatic ketone production on brain health during exercise, healthy 6-month-old female rats underwent viral knockdown of the rate-limiting enzyme in the liver that catalyses the first reaction in ketogenesis: 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2).

EMPOWER PKD: Patient, Caregiver, and Researcher Priorities for Research in Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Background: Patient involvement in research can help to ensure that the evidence generated aligns with their needs and priorities. In the Establishing Meaningful Patient-Centered Outcomes With Relevance for Patients with Polycystic Kidney Disease (EMPOWER PKD) project we aimed to identify patient-important outcomes and discuss the impact of PKD on patients.

Methods: Nine focus groups were held with adult patients with PKD, caregivers, and clinical or research experts in PKD.

Pembrolizumab Leads to Complete Response in an HIV Patient With a Solid Tumor and a Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4) Count Less Than 100.

A 58-year-old male, with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and stage 4 left frontotemporal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), presented with new-onset neck pain. He was diagnosed with HIV five years prior. The patient had a cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count of 53 cells/mm³ and a high viral load, later suppressed with bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy).

Identification of the role of SNARE proteins in rAAV vector production through interaction with the viral MAAP.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) expresses a membrane-associated accessory protein (MAAP), a small nonstructural protein, that facilitates AAV secretion out of the plasma membrane through an association with extracellular vesicles during AAV egress. Here, we investigated the host proteins that interact with AAV2 MAAP (MAAP2) using APEX2-mediated proximity labeling. We identified two SNARE proteins, Syntaxin 7 (STX7) and synaptosome-associated protein 23 (SNAP23), a vesicle (v-)SNARE and a target (t-)SNARE, respectively, that mediate intracellular trafficking of membrane vesicles aand exhibited associations with MAAP2 in HEK293 cells.

PARADIGM-PV: a randomized, multicenter phase 4 study to assess the efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon alfa-2b in patients with low- or high-risk polycythemia vera.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is characterized by clonal hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells with constitutively active somatic mutation(s) in the Janus kinase 2 gene. Phlebotomy (Phl) and aspirin are often used alone for low-risk PV patients. However, data from the Low-PV study demonstrated that Phl and aspirin may not be adequate for patients.

A tool to dissect heterotypic determinants of homotypic protein phase behavior.

Proteins commonly self-assemble to create liquid or solid condensates with diverse biological activities. The mechanisms of assembly are determined by each protein's sequence and cellular context. We previously developed distributed amphifluoric FRET (DAmFRET) to analyze sequence determinants of self-assembly in cells.

Effects of Assisted Walking Exercise in Chronic Dependent Ambulatory Stroke Survivors: A Mini-Review.

Background: Assisted walking exercise programs are widely recommended in rehabilitation guidelines for stroke survivors. However, most evidence supporting these programs primarily focuses on ambulatory stroke survivors or those dependent ambulatory in acute and subacute stages. There is a notable gap in the application of walking exercise programs for chronic dependent ambulatory stroke survivors despite potential benefits in reducing sedentary behavior and improving rehabilitation outcomes.

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.