Blunted Ventral Striatal Reactivity to Social Reward Is Associated with More Severe Motivation and Pleasure Deficits in Psychosis.

Background And Hypothesis: Among individuals living with psychotic disorders, social impairment is common, debilitating, and challenging to treat. While the roots of this impairment are undoubtedly complex, converging lines of evidence suggest that social motivation and pleasure (MAP) deficits play a central role. Yet most neuroimaging studies have focused on monetary rewards, precluding decisive inferences.

HEPATOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR FOR WALKING PERFORMANCE IN PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE.

Introduction: VM202 is a plasmid encoding two isoforms of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In preclinical studies, HGF stimulated angiogenesis and muscle regeneration. This preliminary clinical trial tested the hypothesis that VM202 injections in gastrocnemius muscle would improve walking performance in people with mild to moderate and symptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Enhanced D614G and Omicron Variants Antibody Persistence in Infants at 2 Months of Age Following Maternal mRNA Booster Vaccination During Pregnancy or Postpartum.

Background: Following maternal COVID-19 vaccination, the persistence of antibodies in sera and breast milk for mothers and infants is not well characterized. We sought to describe the persistence of antibodies through 2 months after delivery in maternal and infant serum and breast milk following maternal COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and to examine differences by receipt of booster dose during pregnancy or postpartum.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study with enrollment from July 2021 to January 2022 at 9 US academic sites.

Genetically engineered pig heart transplantation in non-human primates.

Background: Improvement in gene modifications of donor pigs has led to the prevention of early cardiac xenograft rejection and significantly prolonged cardiac xenograft survival in both heterotopic and orthotopic preclinical non-human primate (NHP) models. This progress formed the basis for FDA approval for compassionate use transplants in two patients.

Methods: Based on our earlier report of 9-month survival of seven gene-edited (7-GE) hearts transplanted (life-supporting orthotopic) in baboons, we transplanted 10 gene-edited pig hearts into baboons (n = 4) using non-ischemic continuous perfusion preservation (NICP) and immunosuppression regimen based on co-stimulation blockade by anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody.

Impact of a Multi-Component Home-Based Physical Therapy Intervention on Cognitive Outcomes: Results From the CAP Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Differences in cognitive outcomes for two home-based 16-week interventions after usual rehabilitative care post-hip fracture were examined.

Methods: Community Ambulation Project randomized controlled trial included 210 hip fracture participants. Interventions: Specific multi-component (PUSH) included strength-, balance-, function-, and endurance-based exercises; non-specific active control (PULSE) included seated range-of-motion exercises and sensory transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation.

Machine Learning and Statistical Analyses of Sensor Data Reveal Variability Between Repeated Trials in Parkinson's Disease Mobility Assessments.

Mobility tasks like the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), cognitive TUG (cogTUG), and walking with turns provide insights into the impact of Parkinson's disease (PD) on motor control, balance, and cognitive function. We assess the test-retest reliability of these tasks in 262 PD participants and 50 controls by evaluating machine learning models based on wearable-sensor-derived measures and statistical metrics. This evaluation examines total duration, subtask duration, and other quantitative measures across two trials.

Sexual Dimorphism of Ethanol-Induced Mitochondrial Dynamics in Purkinje Cells.

The cerebellum, a key target of ethanol's toxic effects, is associated with ataxia following alcohol consumption. However, the impact of ethanol on Purkinje cell (PC) mitochondria remains unclear. To investigate how ethanol administration affects mitochondrial dynamics in cerebellar Purkinje cells, we employed a transgenic mouse model expressing mitochondria-targeted yellow fluorescent protein in Purkinje cells (PC-mito-eYFP).

The Impact of Comorbid Sleep-Disordered Breathing on Hospitalization Risk Related to Diabetes and Atherosclerotic Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

To determine the relationship between comorbid sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and hospitalization rates related to diabetes mellitus (DM) and atherosclerotic disease (AD). This study used a retrospective cohort design from a large medical claims database with 5 years of data between 2018 and 2022. The presences of SDB, DM, and AD were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and relevant Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.

GPR68 Mediates Lung Endothelial Dysfunction Caused by Bacterial Inflammation and Tissue Acidification.

Tissue acidification resulting from dysregulated cellular bioenergetics accompanies various inflammatory states. GPR68, along with other members of proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors, responds to extracellular acidification and has been implicated in chronic inflammation-related diseases such as ischemia, cancer, and colitis. The present study examined the role of extracellular acidification on human pulmonary endothelial cell (EC) permeability and inflammatory status per se and investigated potential synergistic effects of acidosis on endothelial dysfunction caused by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, ).

Co-Inhibition of tGLI1 and GP130 Using FDA-Approved Ketoconazole and Bazedoxifene Is Synergistic Against the Growth and Metastasis of HER2-Enriched and Triple-Negative Breast Cancers.

Breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) are resistant to most cancer therapeutics and contribute to tumor recurrence and metastasis. Two breast CSC-promoting transcription factors, truncated glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (tGLI1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), have been reported to be frequently co-expressed in HER2-enriched breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), undergo protein-protein interactions for gene regulation and activation, and functionally cooperate to promote breast CSCs. STAT3 can be activated by activated interleukin-6 receptor/glycoprotein-130 (IL-6R/GP130).

Ecological Momentary Assessment of Momentary Associations Between Availability of Physical Activity Space and Physical Activity Opportunities Among Children from Rural, Urban, and Suburban Locales.

Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), this study examined associations between momentary availability of physical activity (PA) space and accessibility of PA opportunities among 608 elementary and middle school students who were participating in an obesity prevention trial in one mid-Atlantic state in the U.S. Smartphones prompted EMA surveys at random times to assess children's perceived availability of PA space and accessibility of PA opportunities during out-of-school time, three to seven times each day over seven days.

Contributions of Medical Greenhouse Gases to Climate Change and Their Possible Alternatives.

Considerable attention has recently been given to the contribution of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the healthcare sector to climate change. GHGs used in medical practice are regularly released into the atmosphere and contribute to elevations in global temperatures that produce detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Consequently, a comprehensive assessment of their global warming potential over 100 years (GWP) characteristics, and clinical uses, many of which have evaded scrutiny from policy makers due to their medical necessity, is needed.

Metoprolol vs diltiazem for atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate: Systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse events.

Background: Intravenous (IV) diltiazem and metoprolol are commonly used to achieve rate control for atrial fibrillation with RVR (Afib with RVR), and are both recommended as first-line by current guidelines. While prior studies investigated the efficacy of these medications, there is little evidence available regarding the risk of adverse events (AEs) with their use.

Methods: We identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies reporting rates of AEs following administration of IV diltiazem and metoprolol for Afib with RVR by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library.

Dissecting the functional heterogeneity of glutamatergic synapses with high-throughput optical physiology.

Fluorescent reporters for glutamate release and postsynaptic Ca signaling are essential tools for quantifying synapse functional heterogeneity across neurons and circuits. However, leveraging these probes for neuroscience requires scalable experimental frameworks. Here, we devised a high-throughput approach to efficiently collect and analyze hundreds of optical recordings of glutamate release activity at presynaptic boutons in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

SLC35A2 loss of function variants affect glycomic signatures, neuronal fate, and network dynamics.

encodes a UDP-galactose transporter essential for glycosylation of proteins and galactosylation of lipids and glycosaminoglycans. Germline genetic variants have been identified in congenital disorders of glycosylation and somatic variants have been linked to intractable epilepsy associated with malformations of cortical development. However, the functional consequences of these pathogenic variants on brain development and network integrity remain elusive.

EUS-Guided Gastroenterostomy for Benign Gastric Outlet Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a clinical manifestation of mechanical obstruction at the antropyloric region or proximal small bowel. The goal of endoscopic management is to relieve the obstruction so patients can resume per oral intake. Most studies have focused on malignant causes of GOO; yet only a handful have explored outcomes related to benign etiologies.

Understanding Loneliness in an Aging Population of San Vito de Coto Brus, Costa Rica.

As trends in life expectancy continue to improve, the burden of loneliness in geriatric populations on a global scale is increasing. With advancing age comes an increase in the number of life events that can perpetuate a state of loneliness such as losing a life partner, dwindling social networks, and deteriorating health conditions. This burden can manifest in a variety of mental and physical consequences.

Impact of initial jugular vein insertion site selection for central venous catheter placement on hemodialysis catheter complications.

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of choosing the right versus left internal jugular vein (IJV) for initial central venous catheter (CVC) placement on hemodialysis catheter-related outcomes in critically ill patients.

Materials And Methods: Medical records from the University of Maryland Medical Center were reviewed for adult critical care patients who received an IJV CVC between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, and later required an additional temporary hemodialysis catheter.

Results: The study included 214 patients, with 100 (46.

Group-Based Trajectory Modeling Identifies Distinct Patterns of Sympathetic Hyperactivity Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) occurs with high prevalence among critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is associated with worse outcomes. The PSH-Assessment Measure (PSH-AM) consists of a Clinical Features Scale and a diagnosis likelihood tool (DLT) intended to quantify the severity of sympathetically mediated symptoms and the likelihood that they are due to PSH, respectively, on a daily basis. Here, we aim to identify and explore the value of dynamic trends in the evolution of sympathetic hyperactivity following acute TBI using elements of the PSH-AM.

Ring Fixator Bone Transport is Associated With Fewer Unplanned Major Reoperations than Masquelet in the Treatment of Segmental Bone Defects of the Tibia.

Objective: To determine whether bone transport or Masquelet results in higher rates of major unplanned reoperations for the treatment of segmental tibial bone defects ≥4 cm in length.

Methods: Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

INCREASED CITRULLINATED HISTONE H3 LEVELS AND ACCELERATED THROMBIN KINETICS IN TRAUMA PATIENTS WHO DEVELOP VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and its formation and release, known as NETosis, may play a role in the initiation of thrombin generation (TG) in trauma. The objective of this study was to assess whether trauma patients, who develop symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE), have increased levels of plasma citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) and accelerated TG kinetics.

Methods: Patients presenting to a Level I Trauma Center as trauma activations had samples collected within 12 hours of time of injury (TOI), alongside healthy volunteers (HV).

Topical Netarsudil in Childhood Glaucoma: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of topical netarsudil 0.02% in managing childhood glaucoma.

Methods: A literature search in the electronic databases of PubMed CENTRAL, Google Scholar, EMBASE, the Register of Controlled Trials, and Ovid MEDLINE from January 2017 to August 2023 using one or a combination of the following terms: "netarsudil," "rhopressa," "Rho-kinase," "pediatric glaucoma," "childhood glaucoma," "intraocular pressure" was conducted.

Revisiting the Defeatist Performance Belief Scale in Adults With Schizophrenia and Youth at Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis: A Comprehensive Psychometric Analysis.

Background And Hypothesis: In accordance with the Cognitive Model of Negative Symptoms, defeatist performance beliefs (DPBs) are an important psychosocial mechanism of negative symptoms in schizophrenia-spectrum groups. DPBs are also mediators of negative symptom improvement in clinical trials. Despite the clinical significance of DPBs and their inclusion as a mechanism of change measure in clinical trials, the psychometric properties of the DPB scale have not been examined in any schizophrenia-spectrum group.