spatialGE is a User-Friendly Web Application that Facilitates Spatial Transcriptomics Data Analysis.

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) is a powerful tool for understanding tissue biology and disease mechanisms. However, the advanced data analysis and programming skills required can hinder researchers from realizing of the full potential of ST. To address this, we developed spatialGE, a web application that simplifies the analysis of ST data.

Seasons of Kawasaki Disease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The incidence of Kawasaki Disease has a peak in the winter months with a trough in late summer/early fall. Environmental/exposure factors have been associated with a time-varying incidence. These factors were altered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Associated With Shock at Presentation in Kawasaki Disease Versus Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With Covid-19.

Background: While clinical overlap between Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been evident, information regarding those presenting with shock has been limited. We sought to determine associations with shock within and between diagnosis groups.

Methods: The International KD Registry enrolled contemporaneous patients with either KD or MIS-C from 39 sites in 7 countries from January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2023.

Analysis of the Correlation Between the Expression of T-Helper Type 17 Cell-Related Cytokines and Valve Damage in Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) results from chronic inflammation and fibrosis of heart valves following untreated rheumatic fever, yet its immunopathology, particularly involving T helper 17 (Th17) cells and their cytokines, is not fully understood. Th17 cells are prominent drivers of inflammation and have been linked to various autoimmune diseases, suggesting their potential role in RHD-related valve damage. This study examines Th17-associated cytokines-interleukin (IL)-17, IL-6, IL-23, and IL-21-in RHD.

Midterm survival, clinical, and hemodynamic outcomes of a novel mechanical mitral valve prosthesis.

Objective: To evaluate the midterm survival, clinical, and hemodynamic outcomes of the On-X mechanical mitral valve, based on the 5-year results of the Prospective Randomized On-X Anticoagulation Clinical Trial (PROACT).

Method: PROACT Mitral was a multicenter study evaluating 401 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) with either Standard or Conform-X On-X mitral valves, comparing low-dose and standard-dose warfarin. Here we report prespecified secondary outcomes of survival, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, and valve hemodynamics as assessed by core lab-adjudicated echocardiography at 1, 3, and 5 years in the pooled population.

Dose Planning and Radiation Optimization for Thoracic Conventional, Twice Daily, and Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: A Delphi Consensus From a National Survey of Practitioners.

Purpose: We sent surveys to a large number of radiation oncologists with active thoracic cancer practices and applied the Delphi method over 3 rounds to generate consensus dose-volume histogram metrics. We used these results to create consensus-based organs-at-risk dose constraints and target goal templates for practical implementation.

Methods And Materials: In this institutional review board-approved study, data were collected using REDCap electronic data capture on a secure server.

High-density electroanatomic mapping of atriofascicular pathways using multipolar mapping catheters can identify oblique pathways and avoid mechanical bump termination.

Background: Atriofascicular fibers (AFFs) are rare accessory pathways that have higher rates of recurrence after ablation because of either failure to identify AFF (M) potentials or mechanical termination with contact.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether electroanatomic mapping (EAM) using multielectrode, high-density nonlinear catheters can reliably localize AFF potentials and determine a site for ablation without causing mechanical termination.

Methods: Seven patients underwent electrophysiology studies (EPS) and EAM using high-density, multielectrode catheters for antidromic tachycardia using AFFs.

A Case of Autoimmune Neutropenia That Responded to Rituximab.

Autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) refers to the immune-mediated destruction of neutrophils. It is a rare condition with an estimated prevalence of less than 1 case per 100,000 per year. Typical treatment involves supportive care with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and management of secondary infections with antibiotics.

Bispecific antibodies in clinical practice: Understanding recent advances and current place in cancer treatment landscape.

Immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape of cancer in the past decade. Amongst various forms of immunotherapy, manipulating the T cell has shown promise in past few years. T cell manipulation can be done by CAR-T cell therapy or bispecific antibodies.

A Simple Clinical Predictive Model for Arthroscopic Mobility of Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Knee.

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee is a focal idiopathic alteration of subchondral bone and/or its precursor with risk for instability and disruption of adjacent cartilage. Treatment options focused on preventing premature osteoarthritis vary depending on multiple patient and lesion characteristics, including lesion mobility.

Purpose: To differentiate lesion mobility before arthroscopy using a multivariable model that includes patient demographic characteristics and physical examination findings.

Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma and Cerebrovascular Events: A Systematic Review.

Background: Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPFs) are benign endocardial tumours with embolic potential. This article is a systematic review to identify the clinical profile, diagnosis, tumour characteristics, and treatment modalities in patients with CPF presenting with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: This systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and Embase databases, including case reports and/or series and observational studies (for a search period of up until April 2022).

Gonadal Tumors in Individuals with Turner Syndrome and Y-Chromosome Mosaicism: A Retrospective Multisite Study.

Study Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of germ cell tumors and the clinical monitoring practices for those who deferred prophylactic gonadectomy in a large North American cohort of individuals with Turner syndrome with Y-chromosome mosaicism (TS+Y).

Method: A query of the medical records at multiple North American children's hospitals was done using ICD codes related to Turner Syndrome. A retrospective chart review was conducted on those patients between ages 0 to 30 years with Y-mosaicism.

Circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in preeclampsia with varying disease severity.

Objectives: To assess whether plasma concentrations of the circulating inflammatory proteins Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are increased in women with preeclampsia with end-organ complications, compared with women with preeclampsia without end-organ complications.

Study Design: We used samples from a large prospective biobank collection (Preeclampsia Obstetric Adverse Event biobank), and two large, randomized preeclampsia therapeutic treatment trials. All samples were collected in Cape Town, South Africa.

Salivary cortisol is not associated with dexamethasone response in preterm infants with evolving bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Objective: Short-term treatment efficacy of systemic dexamethasone (DEX) in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is highly variable. Our objective was to assess if salivary cortisol may serve as a reliable biomarker of steroid response.

Study Design: Multi-site prospective observational cohort study.

Nationwide, Couple-Based Genetic Carrier Screening.

Background: Genomic sequencing technology allows for identification of reproductive couples with an increased chance, as compared with that in the general population, of having a child with an autosomal recessive or X-linked genetic condition.

Methods: We investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a nationwide, couple-based genetic carrier screening program in Australia as part of the Mackenzie's Mission project. Health care providers offered screening to persons before pregnancy or early in pregnancy.

Decreasing Endomyocardial Biopsy Frequency in Pediatric Heart Transplantation Using A Rejection Risk Prediction Score-A Single Center Study.

Background: Rejection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality after pediatric heart transplantation (HT). Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is the gold standard for rejection diagnosis, but it comes with procedural risk. The frequency of EMB varies significantly across centers.

A Retrospective Nationwide Comparison of Laparoscopic vs Open Inguinal Hernia Repair in Children.

Background: Utilization of the laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia repair has increased significantly over the past decade. The purpose of this study is to compare rates of second hernia operation and same side recurrence following open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in a large national cohort.

Methods: This retrospective analysis utilized the Pediatric Health Information System database to identify children <18 years-old who underwent laparoscopic or open primary inguinal hernia repair from 2017 to 2021.