Myokines: metabolic regulation in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Skeletal muscle plays a vital role in the regulation of systemic metabolism, partly through its secretion of endocrine factors which are collectively known as myokines. Altered myokine levels are associated with metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). The significance of interorgan crosstalk, particularly through myokines, has emerged as a fundamental aspect of nutrient and energy homeostasis.

Dental manifestations of hypophosphatasia: translational and clinical advances.

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inherited error in metabolism resulting from loss-of-function variants in the gene, which encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). TNAP plays a crucial role in biomineralization of bones and teeth, in part by reducing levels of inorganic pyrophosphate (PP), an inhibitor of biomineralization. HPP onset in childhood contributes to rickets, including growth plate defects and impaired growth.

SHOC2 plays an oncogenic or tumor-suppressive role by differentially targeting the MAPK and mTORC1 signals in liver cancer.

SHOC2 is a scaffold protein that activates the RAS-MAPK signal. Our recent study showed that SHOC2 is also a negative regulator of the mTORC1 signal in lung cancer cells. Whether and how SHOC2 differentially regulates the RAS-MAPK vs.

Broadband internet access as a social determinant of health in the early COVID-19 pandemic in U.S. counties.

Recent work suggests that internet access was key in delivering life-saving health information about the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper expands on these findings by focusing on the early pandemic in the United States to examine the role of internet access on masking and COVID-19 incidence and mortality. Using county-level data from the American Community Survey, The New York Times, and other sources, weighted OLS regression models with state fixed-effects were used to predict the association of internet access on self-reported masking in July 2020 and COVID-19 incidence and mortality during multiple periods from July-October 2020.

Light chain Split Luciferase assay implicates pathological NOTCH3 thiol reactivity in inherited cerebral small vessel disease.

Stereotyped mutations in NOTCH3 drive CADASIL, the leading inherited cause of stroke and vascular dementia. The vast majority of these mutations result in alterations in the number of cysteines in the gene product. However, non-cysteine altering pathogenic mutations have also been identified, making it challenging to discriminate pathogenic from benign NOTCH3 sequence variants.

Trajectories and predictors of maternal eating behaviors across the first year postpartum: The role of women's childhood trauma in emotional, external and restraint eating.

The first year postpartum is a sensitive time for maternal eating behaviors including emotional, external and restrained eating, which have all been associated with negative health outcomes. Furthermore, among women with a history of trauma, the stress of the postpartum period and early parenting may replicate feelings of helplessness and overwhelm experienced during childhood trauma, which may further contribute to these eating behaviors. Although evidence has shown how mothers eat during this time has long-term implications for infants' eating and health, limited research has characterized eating trajectories and associations with women's history of childhood trauma exposure during this critical period.

What's the bug?: An unusual cause of bacterial meningitis in a patient with history of transsphenoidal surgery.

Bacterial meningitis is an increasingly rare disease that carries significant morbidity and mortality. We describe the case of a 38-year-old male with a past medical history of pituitary macroadenoma with prior endonasal surgeries on prednisone therapy daily for resultant hypopituitarism and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy on lamotrigine daily who was transferred to an academic tertiary emergency department due to concern for developing pituitary apoplexy. At the outside emergency department, the patient presented complaining of sudden onset severe headache.

Determinants of dementia diagnosis in U.S. primary care in the past decade: A scoping review.

Background: Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are chronically underdiagnosed in the U.S., particularly among minoritized racial and ethnic groups.

ARCH: Large-scale knowledge graph via aggregated narrative codified health records analysis.

Objective: Electronic health record (EHR) systems contain a wealth of clinical data stored as both codified data and free-text narrative notes (NLP). The complexity of EHR presents challenges in feature representation, information extraction, and uncertainty quantification. To address these challenges, we proposed an efficient Aggregated naRrative Codified Health (ARCH) records analysis to generate a large-scale knowledge graph (KG) for a comprehensive set of EHR codified and narrative features.

Dietary Interventions, Supplements, and Plant-Derived Compounds for Adjunct Vitiligo Management: A Review of the Literature.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune pigmentation disorder shaped by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental triggers. While conventional therapies-phototherapy, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants-can be effective, their benefits are often partial and temporary, with recurrence common once treatment stops. As such, there is increasing interest in exploring complementary approaches that may offer a more sustainable impact.

Dysregulation of Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Mitochondria dysfunction plays a central role in the development of vascular diseases as oxidative stress promotes alterations in mitochondrial morphology and function that contribute to disease progression. Redox imbalances can affect normal cellular processes including mitochondrial biogenesis, electrochemical equilibrium, and the regulation of mitochondrial DNA. In this review, we will discuss these imbalances and, in particular, the potential role of mitochondrial fusion, fission, biogenesis, and mitophagy in the context of vascular diseases and how the dysregulation of normal function might contribute to disease progression.

Early Autonomic Dysfunction in Traumatic Brain Injury: An Article Review on the Impact on Multiple Organ Dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition and a leading cause of injury-related disability and death, with significant impacts on patient outcomes. Extracranial organ involvement plays a critical role in the outcome of patients following TBI. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and challenges in diagnosing patients with autonomic dysfunction after TBI.

Stereoelectronic Effect of Protecting Groups on the Stability of Galactosyl Donor Intermediates.

Using methods of DFT, we investigated the effect of electron withdrawing and electron donating groups on the relative stability of tentative glycosyl donor reaction intermediates. The calculation shows that by changing the stereoelectronic properties of the protecting group, we can influence the stability of the dioxolenium type of intermediates by up to 10 kcal mol, and that by increasing nucleophillicity of the 4--Bz group, the dioxolenium intermediate becomes more stable than a triflate-donor pair. We exploited this mechanism to design galactosyl donors with custom protecting groups on O2 and O4, and investigated the outcome of the reaction with cyclohexanol.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Integrating Acupuncture for Management of Multiple Symptoms in Medically Underserved Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background/objectives: Breast cancer survivors undergoing long-term endocrine therapy often experience multiple symptoms, including pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, hot flashes, anxiety, and depression. This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of integrating acupuncture for symptom management in medically underserved breast cancer survivors.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at two clinics serving medically underserved populations.

Ultrasound-Guided Histotripsy Triggers the Release of Tumor-Associated Antigens from Breast Cancers.

There is increasing evidence to indicate that histotripsy treatment can enhance the host anti-tumor immune responses both locally at the targeting tumor site as well as systemically from abscopal effects. Histotripsy is a non-invasive ultrasound ablation technology that mechanically disrupts target tissue via cavitation. A key factor contributing to histotripsy-induced abscopal effects is believed to be the release of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) or tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that induce a systemic immune response.

Environmental Pollutants as Emerging Concerns for Cardiac Diseases: A Review on Their Impacts on Cardiac Health.

Comorbidities related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and environmental pollution have emerged as serious concerns. The exposome concept underscores the cumulative impact of environmental factors, including climate change, air pollution, chemicals like PFAS, and heavy metals, on cardiovascular health. Chronic exposure to these pollutants contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, further exacerbating the global burden of CVDs.

Post-Traumatic Left Subclavian Artery Pseudoaneurysm Secondary to Clavicular Fracture: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Subclavian artery pseudoaneurysms are rare but potentially life-threatening vascular injuries frequently associated with trauma such as clavicle fractures. In this paper we describe the case of a 49-year-old male who developed a post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the subclavian artery after a bicycle accident. The diagnosis was delayed due to non-specific symptoms and an initially missed aneurysm on computed tomography imaging.

Using a Hand-Held Icterometer to Screen for Neonatal Jaundice: Validation, Feasibility, and Acceptability of the Bili-Ruler in Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) remains a leading cause of newborn mortality in much of sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to examine the validity of using a hand-held icterometer as a screening tool to determine which newborns need further assessment. Additionally, we sought to assess the feasibility of its use among mothers.

Simulation-based training improves developmental hip dysplasia examination and diagnosis skills on newborns.

Background: Examination maneuvers used to diagnose developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) translate poorly to video and written curricula. This poses a challenge to teaching the infant hip exam to orthopedic, family medicine, and pediatric trainees. This work investigated the impact of the MiHip simulation-based training program on residents' knowledge, confidence, and exam skills in the simulated setting, and translation of these skills to the clinical setting.

Awareness and care practices for rare neurologic diseases among senior neurologists: A global survey.

Objective: Rare neurologic diseases (RNDs) are difficult to diagnose and treat due to their low prevalence and complex nature. This survey evaluated awareness and current care status of RNDs among esteemed neurologists affiliated with the World Federation of Neurology (WFN).

Methods: A 34-question survey was distributed to renowned neurologists, including delegates from national neurology societies in the WFN Assembly, various WFN committees, and members of the Rare Neurologic Diseases Specialist group.

Associations Between Ambient PM and Thyroid Hormones in Pregnant Persons in Puerto Rico.

Introduction: This study investigates associations between fine particulate air pollution (PM) exposure and thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy in Puerto Rican individuals, a vulnerable population facing socioeconomic and environmental disparities.

Methods: This research draws on data from the PROTECT cohort study and involves 1040 participants to measure the effect of PM on developmentally important thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4, and FT4). Pollution concentrations were linked to participant locations using EPA air quality data and analyzed across two visits during gestational weeks 16-20 and 24-28.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the Native American Population.

Native Americans are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease in comparison with other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Previous research has analyzed risk factors, quantified prevalence rates, and examined outcomes of cardiovascular disease in Native Americans, yet few studies have considered the role of societal and psychological factors on the increased burden of cardiovascular disease in Native Americans. Modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including poor nutrition, reduced physical activity, obesity, and increased substance use, are exacerbated in Native American communities due to cultural and historical factors.

IDH Mutant Cholangiocarcinoma: Pathogenesis, Management, and Future Therapies.

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes are among the most frequently encountered molecular alterations in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). These neomorphic point mutations endow mutant IDH (mIDH) with the ability to generate an R-enantiomer of 2-hydroxyglutarate (R2HG), a metabolite that drives malignant transformation through aberrant epigenetic signaling. As a result, pharmacologic inhibition of mIDH has become an attractive therapeutic strategy in CCAs harboring this mutation.

Trauma, Justice, and Equity: Using Critical Theories and Concepts to Address Systemic Harm Among Youth Punishment System-Involved Black Girls.

This review critically evaluates the existing literature on youth punishment system (YPS)-involved Black girls and their intersections of with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It synthesizes findings from previous studies, identifying key research trends, gaps, and controversies, while also highlighting areas in need of further investigation. Black girls, particularly those involved in systems such as juvenile justice, child welfare, and education, often face disproportionate exposure to violence, abuse and neglect, trauma, and systemic racism.

Key Role of Phosphorylation in Small Heat Shock Protein Regulation via Oligomeric Disaggregation and Functional Activation.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are essential molecular chaperones that protect cells by aiding in protein folding and preventing aggregation under stress conditions. Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs), which include members from HSPB1 to HSPB10, are particularly important for cellular stress responses. These proteins share a conserved α-crystallin domain (ACD) critical for their chaperone function, with flexible N- and C-terminal extensions that facilitate oligomer formation.