The Relationship between Various Measures of Perinatal Quality.

Objective: To examine the correlations between pairs of maternal, infant, and maternal-infant dyad quality measures to provide a comprehensive assessment of perinatal care.

Study Design: In a retrospective cohort study using birth and fetal death certificates linked to hospital discharge data from Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina (2016-2018), we examined correlations between pairs of maternal, infant, and maternal-infant dyad quality measures. Maternal quality measures included nulliparous term singleton vertex (NTSV) cesarean birth, non-transfusion severe maternal morbidity (SMM), and a composite maternal outcome.

Identification of rare and pathogenic TAL2 gene mutations in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) using mutational screening and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Recent genomic research has identified several genetic factors contributing to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, the exact cause of the disease is still not fully understood. It is known that mutations in the TAL2 gene play important roles in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Population pharmacokinetics and exposure-response analysis of durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.

Purpose: Durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin has shown a favorable benefit-risk profile in the TOPAZ-1 study for advanced biliary tract cancers (BTC). This analysis evaluated the population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) of durvalumab, and exposure-response for efficacy and safety (ERES) of TOPAZ-1.

Methods: The PopPK model for durvalumab was updated using data from 5 previously analysed studies and TOPAZ-1.

Assessing the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound for pediatric hepato-pancreatico-biliary disorders: a systematic review.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (US) has been established as a safe diagnostic tool for adults, but its use in children remains underexplored. The rising prevalence of pediatric hepato-pancreato-biliary disorders requires a closer examination of its utility. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical impact of endoscopic US in the pediatric population, concentrating on its diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic applications.

Brain tissue integrity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder through T1-w/T2-w ratio, MTR and DTI.

Background: The presence of diffuse brain damage in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and gray matter (NAGM) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains controversial. We aimed to address this controversy by applying a multiparametric MRI approach. Additionally, the association between MRI metrics and clinical variables was explored.

Temporal changes and implications of diffusion tensor imaging metrics and cerebral white matter volume in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy - a prospective study.

Aims: To test utility of diffusion MRI-derived indices in carotid endarterectomy (CEA), change of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, cerebral white matter (WM) volumes were evaluated and predictors of overall mortality determined.

Methods: Prospectively enrolled participants had preoperative, immediate and late postoperative DTI after CEA. WM volumes, DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy, FA; axial, radial, mean diffusivities; AD, RD, MD, respectively) were calculated for the index/contralateral hemispheres at all time points.

Association of Alzheimer's Disease Polygenic Risk Score with Concussion Severity and Recovery Metrics.

Background: Identification of genetic alleles associated with both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and concussion severity/recovery could help explain the association between concussion and elevated dementia risk. However, there has been little investigation into whether AD risk genes associate with concussion severity/recovery, and the limited findings are mixed.

Objective: We used AD polygenic risk scores (PRS) and APOE genotypes to investigate any such associations in the NCAA-DoD Grand Alliance CARE Consortium (CARE) dataset.

Latent Variable Analysis of Demographic and Clinical Drivers of Care Intensity Before Palliative Care Consultation Among Older Adult Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the older adult population, and palliative care consultation can assist in goals-of-care discussions. However, patterns of hospital care delivered before consultation are understudied for older adult patients with TBI. The objective of this study was to identify demographic and clinical drivers of preconsultation care intensity in this population.

Neurocritical Care Rapid Response Team Providing Critical Care Support During Mechanical Thrombectomy of Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke.

Background:  Acute ischemic stroke with medium and large vessel occlusion is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, in which timely intervention with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is crucial for restoring cerebral blood flow and improving patient outcomes. Effective analgosedation and hemodynamic management during MT are critical to patient outcomes and typically managed by anesthesia. Because of inconsistent anesthesia support at our institution, we implemented a dedicated neurocritical care rapid response team (NCC-RRT) to manage these aspects of care.

Psychosocial Support Needs and Preferences Among Family Caregivers of ICU Patients with Severe Acute Brain Injury: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis.

Background: Family caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) are at risk for clinically significant chronic emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Existing psychosocial interventions for caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are not tailored to the unique needs of caregivers of patients with SABI, do not demonstrate long-term efficacy, and may increase caregiver burden. In this study, we explored the needs and preferences for psychosocial services among SABI caregivers to inform the development and adaptation of interventions to reduce their emotional distress during and after their relative's ICU admission.

Self-reported experiences and perspectives on using psychedelics to manage opioid use among participants of two Reddit communities.

Background And Aims: The opioid crisis continues to exert a tremendous toll in North America, with existing interventions often falling short of addressing ongoing needs. Psychedelics are emerging as a possible alternative therapy for mental health and substance use disorders. This study aimed to gather insights on how people use or are considering using psychedelics to manage opioid use disorder (OUD), how these experiences are perceived to impact opioid use and what these lessons imply for future research and practice.

Associations of KRAS Point Mutations with Survival of Patients Who Underwent Curative-Intent Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Background: The oncologic significance of specific KRAS point mutations for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is uncertain. This study aimed to assess the prognostic impact of KRAS point mutations on patients who underwent surgery for CLM.

Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for CLM from 2001 to 2020 were selected for the study.

Efficacy of GnRH antagonists in the treatment of uterine fibroids: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumors in women, representing the primary indication of hysterectomy. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists represent a new therapeutic option for premenopausal women. The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GnRH antagonists in the treatment of uterine fibroids (size reduction and symptom control).

Head and Neck Paraganglioma in Pacak-Zhuang Syndrome.

Head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) are typically slow-growing, hormonally inactive tumors of parasympathetic paraganglia. Inactivation of prolyl-hydroxylase domain-containing 2 protein causing indirect gain-of-function of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α), encoded by EPAS1, was recently shown to cause carotid body hyperplasia. We previously described a syndrome with multiple sympathetic paragangliomas caused by direct gain-of-function variants in EPAS1 (Pacak-Zhuang syndrome, PZS) and developed a corresponding mouse model.

Quantifying liver-toxic responses from dose-dependent chemical exposures using a rat genome-scale metabolic model.

Because the liver plays a vital role in the clearance of exogenous chemical compounds, it is susceptible to chemical-induced toxicity. Animal-based testing is routinely used to assess the hepatotoxic potential of chemicals. While large-scale high-throughput sequencing data can indicate the genes affected by chemical exposures, we need system-level approaches to interpret these changes.

Shades of evidence: a review of skin color reporting in melanoma-related randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To examine the rate of skin color reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving melanoma in the top ten highest dermatology journals by impact factor over the past four decades.

Methods: A systematic review of RCTs involving melanoma within the top ten dermatology journals, as determined by impact factor, was conducted from inception to July 10th, 2023. Studies were included if they reviewed the diagnosis and/or treatment of melanoma, were RCTs, directly involved patients and were written in English.

Brain Age Modeling and Cognitive Outcomes in Young Adults With and Without Sickle Cell Anemia.

Importance: Both sickle cell anemia (SCA) and socioeconomic status have been associated with altered brain structure and cognitive disability, yet precise mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear.

Objective: To determine whether brains of individuals with and without SCA appear older than chronological age and if brain age modeling using brain age gap (BAG) can estimate cognitive outcomes and mediate the association of socioeconomic status and disease with these outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this cross-sectional study of 230 adults with and without SCA, individuals underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive assessment.

Neural Variability and Cognitive Control in Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder.

Importance: Opioid use disorder (OUD) impacts millions of people worldwide. Prior studies investigating its underpinning neural mechanisms have not often considered how brain signals evolve over time, so it remains unclear whether brain dynamics are altered in OUD and have subsequent behavioral implications.

Objective: To characterize brain dynamic alterations and their association with cognitive control in individuals with OUD.

A phase I study of MLN4924 and belinostat in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

Purpose: Relapsed and/or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome continue to have a poor prognosis with limited treatment options despite advancements in rational combination and targeted therapies. Belinostat (an HDAC inhibitor) and Pevonedistat (a NEDD8 inhibitor) have each been independently studied in hematologic malignancies and have tolerable safety profiles with limited single-agent activity. Preclinical studies in AML cell lines and primary AML cells show the combination to be highly synergistic, particularly in high-risk phenotypes such as p53 mutant and FLT-3-ITD positive cells.

Cannabis use in Crohn's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of cannabis in the management of Crohn's disease (CD) by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). By adhering to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines and registering the study protocol with PROSPERO, this research intends to offer robust, evidence-based recommendations for healthcare practitioners on the therapeutic potential and clinical implications of cannabis use in CD management.

Methods: A literature search encompassing PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library was conducted to identify relevant RCTs comparing cannabis to placebo or standard therapy in CD patients.

The influence of temperature and pressure on the self-diffusion characteristics and mechanical sensitivity of DNTF: a molecular dynamics study.

Context: 3,4-Bis(3-nitrofurazan-4-yl) furoxan (DNTF) is a typical low-melting-point, high-energy-density compound that can serve as a cast carrier explosive. Therefore, understanding the safety of DNTF under different casting processes is of great significance for its efficient application. This study employed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effects of temperature and pressure on the self-diffusion characteristics and mechanical sensitivity of DNTF.

The Association Between Levator Ani Integrity and Postpartum Ano-Rectal Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Pregnancy and delivery are commonly associated with ano-rectal dysfunction. In addition, vaginal delivery may impact both the structure and functionality of the pelvic floor. Herein, we systematically reviewed the literature for the potential association between levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion and ano-rectal function after childbirth.

Burnout in Military Orthopedic Surgeons: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: High rates of burnout are prevalent in U.S. physicians with evidence that the rates are increasing.

Automated insulin delivery in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: The outcomes of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have not been systematically evaluated. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AID in pregnancy.

Material And Methods: Literature searches were conducted until July 5, 2024, on Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.