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.

Carotid bodies mediate glial cell activation and neuroinflammation in the NTS following long-term intermittent hypoxia: role in cardiorespiratory dysfunction.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), the main feature of obstructive sleep apnea, heightened chemosensory discharges of the carotid body (CB), which contributes to potentiate the ventilatory hypoxic response and elicits hypertension. We aimed to determine: 1) whether the persistence of cardiorespiratory alterations found in long-term CIH depend on the inputs from the CB and, 2) in what extension the activation of glial cells and neuroinflammation in the caudal region of the nucleus of the Solitary Tract (NTS) requires functional CB chemosensory activity. To evaluate these hypotheses, we exposed male mice to CIH for 60 days.

Pharmacological Cognitive Enhancement Among International Medical Students: Assessing Study Habits as a Novel Factor.

Introduction: Pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE) among healthy individuals with off-label use of medications raises ethical and safety concerns in academia. Among the few studies that have examined this phenomenon in medical students, the desire to improve performance and cope with high levels of stress are the most common associated factors implicated. Our main objective was to update current literature by exploring a novel factor by investigating the association between PCE use and student learning approaches among a cohort of international medical students.

Optimized smFISH Pipeline for Studying Nascent Transcription in Mouse Embryonic Tissue Samples.

Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of gene expression is crucial for unraveling molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes. While traditional methods have offered insights into gene expression patterns, they primarily focus on mature mRNA transcripts, lacking real-time visualization of newly synthesized or nascent transcription events. Recent advancements in monitoring nascent transcription in live cells provide valuable insights into transcriptional dynamics.

Comparative analysis of neural crest development in the chick and mouse.

A core framework of the gene regulatory network (GRN) governing neural crest (NC) cell development has been generated by integrating separate inputs from diverse model organisms rather than direct comparison. This has limited insights into the diversity of genes in the NC cell GRN and extent of conservation of newly identified transcriptional signatures in cell differentiation and invasion. Here, we address this by leveraging the strengths and accessibility of the avian embryo to precise developmental staging by egg incubation and use an integrated analysis of chick (HH13) and mouse (E9.

Pathophysiology and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): A literature review.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of cardiovascular autonomic disorders characterized by orthostatic intolerance and a symptomatic increase in heart rate upon standing, which can significantly impair patients' quality of life. Its pathophysiology is complex, multifactorial; thus, a variety of treatment approaches have been investigated. Recent studies have identified three primary POTS phenotypes-hyperadrenergic, neuropathic, and hypovolemic-each requiring tailored management strategies.

Implementing Cancer Registry Data With the PCORnet Common Data Model: The Greater Plains Collaborative Experience.

Purpose: Electronic health records (EHRs) comprise a rich source of real-world data for cancer studies, but they often lack critical structured data elements such as diagnosis date and disease stage. Fortunately, such concepts are available from hospital cancer registries. We describe experiences from integrating cancer registry data with EHR and billing data in an interoperable data model across a multisite clinical research network.

Common lipidomic signatures across distinct acute brain injuries in patient outcome prediction.

Lipidomic alterations have been associated with various neurological diseases. Examining temporal changes in serum lipidomic profiles, irrespective of injury type, reveals promising prognostic indicators. In this longitudinal prospective observational study, serum samples were collected early (46 ± 24 h) and late (142 ± 52 h) post-injury from 70 patients with ischemic stroke, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injury that had outcomes dichotomized as favorable (modified Rankin Scores (mRS) 0-3) and unfavorable (mRS 4-6) three months post-injury.

Daily glucose variability is associated with intrahepatic fat content, β cell sensitivity, and biomarkers of glycolysis in youth with obesity.

Objective: Pediatric obesity is associated with insulin resistance, which, in turn, impacts glucose and lipid metabolism. This study sought to assess how glucose variability relates to intrahepatic fat content, β cell insulin sensitivity, and glycolysis in youth with obesity.

Methods: A total of 27 youth with obesity (11 girls, BMI percentile, median [25th-75th percentiles]: 99.

Suitability and Early Clinical Outcomes of Corneal Donor Tissue in the 76-80-Year-Old Age Group.

Purpose: There is a significant global shortage of corneal donor tissue suitable for keratoplasty. One simple strategy for addressing this shortage is to increase the upper age limit for acceptable tissue over the current customary upper limit of age 75. We describe a pilot study completed at one eye bank procuring, processing, and distributing keratoplasty tissue from donors aged 76 to 80 years.

Productivity Benchmarking and Burnout in Psychosocial Oncology: Creating a Sustainable Care Model.

Objective: Psychosocial oncology specialists in academic medical centers are at risk for burnout as they deliver a wide range of clinical, research, educational, and administrative services in high demand work environments. No national productivity benchmarks exist for this specialty. This study examines factors contributing to burnout among academic psychosocial oncology psychologists (PSOP), presents viable productivity standards, and a sustainable care model to mitigate burnout.

Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Inflammatory Biomarker Response with Prognostic Significance after Acute Neuronal Injury - a Prospective Cohort Study.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), ischemic stroke (IS), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are severe conditions impacting individuals and society. Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers for predicting survival or recovery remains a challenge. Soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has gained attention as a potential prognostic biomarker in acute sepsis.

Pulmonary-delivered Anticalin Jagged-1 antagonists reduce experimental airway mucus hyperproduction and obstruction.

Mucus hypersecretion and mucus obstruction are pathogenic features in many chronic lung diseases directly linked to disease severity, exacerbation, progression, and mortality. The Jagged-1/Notch pathway is a promising therapeutic target that regulates secretory and ciliated cell trans-differentiation in the lung. However, the Notch pathway is also required in various other organs.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: impact of clinical and demographic factors on outcomes.

Background And Aims: EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has emerged as an alternative to surgical gastrojejunostomy and endoluminal stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO). Studies regarding factors associated with the EUS-GE outcomes are limited.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted with consecutive patients who underwent EUS-GE for MGOO from January 2016 to November 2023.

HEARRING group genetic marker study: genetic background of CI patients.

Background: While cochlear implantation (CI) and electric acoustic stimulation (EAS) have a positive outcome in most cases, their effectiveness varies depending on the etiology of the hearing loss. Among the various etiologies, genetic factors are the leading cause of hearing loss and may impact CI and EAS outcomes.

Aims/objectives: To reveal the genetic background of the hearing loss in CI/EAS patients in each ethnic population, we undertook a multi-center study involving the genetic testing of hearing loss in CI/EAS patients from 10 centers.

The Impact of Using Intraoperative Computed Tomography on the Number of Surgical Approaches Used for Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Repair.

Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures are repaired using a variety of surgical approaches. Utilization of intraoperative computed tomography (CT) may reduce the number of surgical approaches. To compare the use of intraoperative CT for the operative repair of ZMC fractures, as measured by the number of surgical approaches.