Open-label, phase Ia study of STING agonist BI 1703880 plus ezabenlimab for patients with advanced solid tumors.

BI 1703880, a novel STimulator of INterferon Genes (STING) agonist, has demonstrated preclinical antitumor activity. As STING activation can upregulate programmed death ligand 1 and human leukocyte antigen in tumor cells, a combination of BI 1703880 and an anti-programmed cell death protein 1-antibody, such as ezabenlimab, may improve efficacy. This first-in-human phase Ia study (NCT05471856) is evaluating BI 1703880 plus ezabenlimab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Toward Safety Protocols for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS): A Computational and Experimental Approach.

As the clinical applicability of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) expands, the need for PNS-specific safety criteria becomes pressing. This study addresses this need, utilizing a novel machine learning and computational bio-electromagnetics modeling platform to establish a safety criterion that captures the effects of fields and currents induced on axons. Our approach is comprised of three steps: experimentation, model creation, and predictive simulation.

Safety of pre-operative venogram for hemodialysis access planning in pre-end-stage kidney disease patients.

Background: Although conventional pre-operative venography can accurately delineate venous anatomy as an alternative to ultrasound for hemodialysis access planning, it may carry a risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and progression of renal failure in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not yet on dialysis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre-operative venograms in pre-end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study (2018-2022) of consecutive pre-ESKD patients who underwent staged bilateral venograms for preoperative vein mapping prior to hemodialysis access creation at a tertiary care medical center.

Efficacy and safety of daprodustat in patients on peritoneal dialysis in the ASCEND-D trial.

Background And Hypothesis: Daprodustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with CKD in some parts of the world. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of daprodustat versus darbepoetin alfa in patients with anemia of CKD undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: ASCEND-D (NCT02879305) was an open-label, Phase 3 trial; patients with CKD were randomized to daprodustat daily and epoetin alfa (HD patients) or darbepoetin alfa (PD patients).

Engagement in child psychiatry department appointments: An analysis of electronic medical records in one safety-net hospital in New England, USA.

Objective: This study examined whether being scheduled in a screening clinic versus scheduled directly with a long-term provider to conduct a mental health intake (MHI) is associated with engagement in child psychiatry services in New England, USA.

Method: We used electronic medical record data from one safety-net hospital serving a predominantly low-income and minoritised population. The study sample included 815 youths aged 0 to 25 years, referred or scheduled for a MHI between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2016.

Reevaluating Anti-Inflammatory Therapy: Targeting Senescence to Balance Anti-Cancer Efficacy and Vascular Disease.

Modulating immune function is a critical strategy in cancer and atherosclerosis treatments. For cancer, boosting or maintaining the immune system is crucial to prevent tumor growth. However, in vascular disease, mitigating immune responses can decrease inflammation and slow atherosclerosis progression.

Concurrent management of vitiligo and acquired disorders of hyperpigmentation: a comprehensive literature review and current practice gaps.

Few studies discuss the co-management of vitiligo and acquired hyperpigmentation disorders (AHD) such as melasma, erythema dyschromicum perstans, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, drug-induced hyperpigmentation, and lichen planus pigmentosus. This review discusses clinical studies examining co-management strategies and identifies current practice gaps. Dermatology Life Quality Index scores are higher in individuals with vitiligo or melasma.

A Nudge to the Truth: Atom Conservation as a Hard Constraint in Models of Atmospheric Composition Using a Species-Weighted Correction.

Computational models of atmospheric composition are not always physically consistent. For example, not all models respect fundamental conservation laws such as conservation of atoms in an interconnected chemical system. In well performing models, these unphysical deviations are often ignored because they are frequently minor, and thus only need a small nudge to perfectly conserve mass.

Scoping review of robotics technology in spinal surgery with highlights of the Annual Seattle Science Foundation Course.

Background: Robotic assistance has become increasingly prevalent in spinal surgery in recent years, emerging as a tool to increase accuracy and precision and lower complication rates and radiation exposure. The 7 and 8 Annual Seattle Science Foundation (SSF) Robotics Courses showcased presentations and demonstrations from some of the field's most experiences leaders on latest topics in robotics and spinal surgery, including cutting-edge preoperative planning technologies, augmented reality (AR) in the operating room, cervical fusion with transpedicular screws, and neuro-oncologic management. We provide a scoping review of the use of robotics technology in spinal surgery featuring highlights from the 7 and 8 Annual SSF Robotics Courses.

Medusa's gaze: Cell traces and fibrils but no collagen in permineralized Jurassic ichthyosaur bone.

Bone is formed by specialized cells whose activity allows bone to grow, change shape, and repair itself. Its composite structure of collagen fibrils and bioapatite nanocrystals gives bone exceptional mechanical strength. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show in fossil ichthyosaurs, 150 to 200 million years old, from the Jurassic of France and the UK, abundant and direct evidence of cellular activity on the fossilized forming, resting, and resorbing surfaces of bone trabeculae, as well as bone fibrils, Sharpey fibers, and cartilage fibers.

The Prevalence of Multidrug Resistance in Enterobacterales Is Higher in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health emergency. Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) are at increased risk for severe infections with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, although more data are needed on the relative burden of MDR Enterobacterales (MDR-E) in immunocompromised populations. In this study, we compare the prevalence of Enterobacterales resistance in cultures from patients undergoing HCT with that of non-HCT patients seeking care at a large healthcare system in North Carolina, USA.

Latest Advancements in Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS): Revisiting an Established Therapy with New Possibilities.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) are non-invasive therapies widely used for pain relief and neuromuscular adaptation. However, the clinical research supporting the efficacy of TENS in chronic pain management is limited by significant methodological flaws, including small sample sizes and inconsistent reporting of stimulation parameters. TENS modulates pain perception through various techniques, targeting specific nerve fibers and pain pathways.

Brain aging rejuvenation factors in adults with genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative disease.

The largest risk factor for dementia is age. Heterochronic blood exchange studies have uncovered age-related blood factors that demonstrate 'pro-aging' or 'pro-youthful' effects on the mouse brain. The clinical relevance and combined effects of these factors for humans is unclear.

Secure artificial intelligence at the edge.

Sensors for the perception of multimodal stimuli-ranging from the five senses humans possess and beyond-have reached an unprecedented level of sophistication and miniaturization, raising the prospect of making man-made large-scale complex systems that can rival nature a reality. Artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge aims to integrate such sensors with real-time cognitive abilities enabled by recent advances in AI. Such AI progress has only been achieved by using massive computing power which, however, would not be available in most distributed systems of interest.

Lumbopelvic hyperlordosis is linked to higher femoral head coverage, lower femoral anteversion and younger age at periacetabular osteotomy.

Purpose: The dynamic alignment of the lumbar spine, pelvis and femur is increasingly studied in hip preservation surgery. However, the interaction between lumbopelvic alignment, acetabular and femoral morphology and its influence on patients' preoperative symptom burden remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether lumbopelvic malalignment affects osseous hip morphology and exacerbates preoperative patient-reported joint functionality in patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomy (PAO).

Fine particulate matter from burning oil and gas and associated neurological symptoms among Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup workers.

Burning and flaring of oil and gas following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill generated high airborne concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM). Neurological effects of PM have been previously reported, but this relationship has received limited attention in the context of oil spills. We evaluated associations between burning-related PM and prevalence of self-reported neurological symptoms during, and 1-3 years after, the DWH disaster cleanup.

A first-born twin has a higher risk of acute leukemia in a population-based assessment of cancer in twins in California, and a lower than anticipated rate of twin concordance.

Not available.

Genetic Variants Associated with the Biochemical Response to Vitamin D3 in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Context: The response to treatment with vitamin D varies between patients.

Objective: To identify genetic variants associated with the biochemical response to vitamin D3 supplementation.

Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted between 2017 and 2019.

Hand dominance shift during sleep in sexsomnia: a clue to pathophysiology?

Study Objectives: To elucidate whether awake handedness in sexsomnia is retained during sleep to uncover potential clues about the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms.

Methods: Participants' and observers' self-reported handedness during sexsomnia events.

Results: Case 1: A 22 y/o right-handed female with an eight-year history of nocturnal sleep-related masturbatory behavior (SMB) involving the left hand (LH) exclusively.

Three-dimensional high-isotropic-resolution MR fingerprinting optimized for 0.55 T.

Purpose: To provide a fast quantitative imaging approach for a 0.55T scanner, where signal-to-noise ratio is limited by the field strength and k-space sampling speed is limited by a lower specification gradient system.

Methods: We adapted the three-dimensional spiral projection imaging MR fingerprinting approach to 0.

Laboratory investigation of METTL7A driving MSC osteogenic differentiation through YAP1 translation enhancement via eIF4F recruitment.

Aim: Effective control of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation towards osteogenic lineages is fundamental for bone regeneration. This study elucidates the regulatory role of methyltransferase like 7A (METTL7A) in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Methodology: Alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin Red S staining, western blotting, and in vivo studies were conducted to determine the effects of METTL7A depletion or overexpression on the osteogenic differentiation of various types of MSCs.

Genetically Reprogrammed Exosomes for Immunotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Current treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain challenging, characterized by poor clinical outcomes. Exosomes, cell-derived membranous vesicles, has been emerging as a new modality of therapy. Here we designed and generated genetically reprogrammed exosomes with surface displayed antibodies and immunoregulatory proteins, namely programmed immune-engaging exosomes (PRIME Exos).

Genome-wide association studies are enriched for interacting genes.

Background: With recent advances in single cell technology, high-throughput methods provide unique insight into disease mechanisms and more importantly, cell type origin. Here, we used multi-omics data to understand how genetic variants from genome-wide association studies influence development of disease. We show in principle how to use genetic algorithms with normal, matching pairs of single-nucleus RNA- and ATAC-seq, genome annotations, and protein-protein interaction data to describe the genes and cell types collectively and their contribution to increased risk.