Cardiovascular disease, bone fracture, and all-cause mortality risks among postmenopausal women by arthritis and veteran status: A multistate Markov transition analysis.

Arthritis, a chronic inflammatory condition linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and bone fracture, is more frequent among military veterans and postmenopausal women. This study examined correlates of arthritis and relationships of arthritis with risks of developing CVD, bone fractures, and mortality among postmenopausal veteran and non-veteran women. We analyzed longitudinal data on 135,790 (3,436 veteran and 132,354 non-veteran) postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative who were followed-up for an average of 16 years between enrollment (1993-1998) and February 17, 2024.

Structure and function of a near fully-activated intermediate GPCR-Gαβγ complex.

Unraveling the signaling roles of intermediate complexes is pivotal for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug development. Despite hundreds of GPCR-Gαβγ structures, these snapshots primarily capture the fully activated complex. Consequently, the functions of intermediate GPCR-G protein complexes remain elusive.

Deciphering the interplay between SETD2 mediated H3K36me3 and RNA N6-methyladenosine in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays diverse roles in RNA metabolism and its deregulation contributes to tumor initiation and progression. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is characterized by near ubiquitous loss of followed by mutations in epigenetic regulators , , and . Mutations in , a histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylase (H3K36me3), are associated with reduced survival, greater metastatic propensity, and metabolic reprogramming.

Long-term efficacy of superior laryngeal nerve block for the treatment of chronic neurogenic cough.

Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) block for treating chronic neurogenic cough (CNC) in a large patient cohort.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients treated between January 2019 and October 2023. Data collected included patient demographics, number of injections, follow-up times, subjective cough severity, and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) scores.

Larsucosterol for the Treatment of Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis.

Background: Larsucosterol is a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor in development for alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), a disease for which there is no approved therapy.

Methods: In this phase 2b trial, patients with severe AH were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive 30 mg or 90 mg of larsucosterol or placebo; a second dose was administered after 72 hours if the patient remained hospitalized. All patients received supportive care as determined by investigators.

Comparative Outcomes of Babesiosis in Immunocompromised and Non-Immunocompromised Hosts: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Babesiosis poses significant risks of adverse outcomes in individuals with immunocompromising conditions (IC) and asplenia/hyposplenia (AH). This study compares clinical outcomes between these vulnerable groups and immunocompetent patients.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study included adult patients with laboratory-confirmed babesiosis from 2009 to 2023.

Wildland Firefighters Suffer Increasing Risk of Job-Related Death.

Wildland firefighting is a niche specialization in the fire service - inherently dangerous with unique risks. Over the past decade, fatalities amongst all firefighters have decreased; however, wildland firefighter fatalities have increased. This subject has only been described in the grey literature, and a paucity of medical literature exists.

Diversity in Medical School, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, and ACGME-Accredited Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship Training by Gender, Race, and Ethnicity.

Introduction: Increasing diversity in the US health care workforce is a topic of increasing scrutiny and interest. This study analyzes the pipeline of demographic diversity for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited foot and ankle orthopaedic surgery fellowship training.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of medical students, orthopaedic surgery residents, and orthopaedic foot and ankle fellows at US-accredited training programs from 2013 to 2022.

Near-universal prevalence of central adiposity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the PARAGON-HF trial.

Background And Aims: An expansion of fat mass is an integral feature of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). While body mass index (BMI) is the most common anthropometric measure, a measure of central adiposity-the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)-focuses on body fat content and distribution; is not distorted by bone or muscle mass, sex, or ethnicity; and may be particularly relevant in HFpEF.

Methods: The PARAGON-HF trial randomized 4796 patients with heart failure and ejection fraction ≥45% to valsartan or sacubitril/valsartan.

Continuous risk monitoring and management of heart failure: Rationale and design of the ALLEVIATE-HF trial.

Aims: Early identification and management of worsening heart failure (HF) is necessary to prevent disease progression and hospitalizations. The ALLEVIATE-HF (Algorithm Using LINQ Sensors for Evaluation and Treatment of Heart Failure) trial is a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial that aims to assess the safety and efficacy of using the Reveal LINQ™ insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) in patients with HF to continuously monitor and evaluate HF risk status and guide timely interventions.

Methods: The ICM algorithm uses parameters derived from electrocardiogram (atrial fibrillation [AF], ventricular rate during AF, heart rate variability, and night heart rate), three-axis accelerometer (patient activity duration), and subcutaneous bioimpedance (fluid volume, respiration rate).

A Comparison of Endoscopic and Surgical Gastrojejunostomy in Patients with Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction: A National Cohort Analysis (2016-2020).

Background And Aims: Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO) is an unfortunate complication of advanced upper gastrointestinal malignancies. Historically, surgical gastrojejunostomy has been the procedure of choice to achieve enteral bypass. Recently, endoscopic techniques have gained popularity in the management of MGOO.

Brachytherapy Seed Placement by Robotic Bronchoscopy with Cone-Beam CT Guidance for Peripheral Lung Cancer: A Human Cadaveric Feasibility Pilot.

Purpose: This study evaluates the feasibility of utilizing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with cone beam computed tomography (RB-CBCT) platform to perform low-dose-rate brachytherapy implants (LDR-BT) in a mechanically ventilated human cadaveric model. Post-implant dosimetry was compared to standard stereotactic body radiation therapy plans (SBRT).

Materials And Methods: The RB-CBCT platform was used to place inert LDR-BT seeds into mechanically ventilated human cadavers with percutaneously injected pseudotumors.

Just-in-time adaptive ecological momentary assessment and ecological momentary interventions for posttraumatic psychopathology in the modern age of technology.

Objective: One technique for tailoring interventions and matching evidence-based procedures to idiographic problems is just-in-time adaptive approaches, also referred to as ecological momentary intervention. These technology-based approaches involve real-time delivery of evidence-based skills when most needed, which can be tailored to individual data inputs. The current article reviews just-in-time adaptive ecological momentary assessment (JITA-EMA; Schneider et al.

Apixaban to Prevent Covert Infarcts After Cryptogenic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Cardiopathy: A Secondary Analysis of the ARCADIA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In the Atrial Cardiopathy and Antithrombotic Drugs in Prevention After Cryptogenic Stroke (ARCADIA) randomized clinical trial, anticoagulation did not prevent recurrent stroke among patients with a recent cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. It is unknown whether anticoagulation prevents covert infarcts in this population.

Objective: To test the use of apixaban vs aspirin for prevention of nonlacunar covert infarcts after cryptogenic stroke in patients with atrial cardiopathy.

A Qualitative Analysis of Unintentional Injuries in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Purpose: Prior research demonstrates that children with autism are more likely to experience unintentional injuries than the general population. Limited research exists on the symptoms or traits directly related to autism and this elevated injury rate, especially from the perspective of families with children with autism. This study used qualitative methodology to elucidate risk factors that may contribute to unintentional injuries in children with autism from the perspective of mothers raising children with autism.

Integrated care for mental health in epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-synthesis by the International League Against Epilepsy Integrated Mental Health Care Pathways Task Force.

Mental health (MH) comorbidities are prevalent among people with epilepsy (PWE), but many experience challenges accessing care. To address this, suggestions have been made to integrate MH care into epilepsy care settings, yet the current approaches, benefits, and implementation determinants to MH care integration are unclear. This review aims to synthesize existing integrated MH care models for PWE to inform the development and planning of future initiatives.

Family Functioning, Life Satisfaction, and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adults With Diabetes and Hypertension: A Cross-Lagged Model.

This study aims to evaluate the bidirectional relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms, considering life satisfaction as a potential mediator and gender, age and income as a moderator of these associations. A longitudinal study was conducted with 708 Chinese adults with diabetes and hypertension (51.6% women; mean age: 64.

Placode and neural crest origins of congenital deafness in mouse models of Waardenburg-Shah syndrome.

Mutations in the human genes encoding the endothelin ligand-receptor pair and cause Waardenburg-Shah syndrome (WS4), which includes congenital hearing impairment. The current explanation for auditory dysfunction is defective migration of neural crest-derived melanocytes to the inner ear. We explored the role of endothelin signaling in auditory development in mice using neural crest-specific and placode-specific mutation plus related genetic resources.

Comparison of 12- to 24-Hour Versus 72-Hour Intravenous Terlipressin in Patients With Acute Esophageal Variceal Bleeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To compare the efficacy and safety of 12-24 hours versus 72 hours of intravenous terlipressin therapy in patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding (AVB). A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, VHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies published up to February 24, 2024.

Practice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Thoracic Surgical Patients: Executive Summary: A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists.

Patients after thoracic surgery experience significant pain that can disrupt normal respiratory mechanics, increase the risk of respiratory complications, and impair recovery. Poorly controlled postoperative pain can develop into persistent postoperative pain. In addition, using opioids for pain control in the thoracic surgical population makes them more susceptible to opioid-related side effects due to their pre-existing comorbidities.

K2 channel positive modulation reduces alcohol drinking in female C57BL/6J mice.

Although men have historically exhibited higher levels of alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis, the gap between men and women has been diminishing quickly. Preclinical screening for pharmacological treatments for AUD has typically focused solely on males, ignoring the possibility that males and females may differ mechanistically for the same behavioral phenotype. To ensure the efficacy of treatment targets across the sexes, it is crucial to study the pharmacological effects of AUD treatments in males and females.